I was in the Navy many, too many years ago, and I am used to all the whistles and bells for navigation and safety. Also I will be using my boat more in weather that is likely to change than many here in the Wet Coast, where fog can be a problem. To give you an idea of how long ago my Navy career was, the navigational plotting was done on a rotating drum of paper that crossed the table. Anyways, enough of that; my question is where do sailboaters put there radar chart plotter screen. Ideally I'd like to have it come off EASILY and move it from inside the cabin to outside with a minimum of fuss. When I look at radar units and chart plotters, it seems the manufacture has the power boater in mind; the unit is set up for one location only. You can understand for security reasons and weather reasons, I don't want to permanently mount a radar chart plotter outside only. I was looking at a Lowrance (non-radar) unit that was GPS and chart plotter that at the snap of a button could be moved from location to location. Or, here is where blue tooth technology should come into play. The main "guts" of the unit inside the cabin with wireless signals sent to the outside display unit. Anyways, where do sailboaters mount there radar chart plotter?
Radar
- Thread starter rsn48
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inside
well I have it over the chart table, inside I think that til one gets to very large craft there is no other option. I use Nobeltec Admiral 7, which can, at a cost overlay the radar onto the puter screen I dunno how wee sailboats use their radar, 24 hours as the batt drain is large BUT talk to a Master Foreign Going and ask him/her. what would they rather do without, radar or gps, and the answer is always , can not do without radar, gps can do without, Go long with his, having learnt my nav by sextant, and DR, and oh I prefer halibut to cod!!
well I have it over the chart table, inside I think that til one gets to very large craft there is no other option. I use Nobeltec Admiral 7, which can, at a cost overlay the radar onto the puter screen I dunno how wee sailboats use their radar, 24 hours as the batt drain is large BUT talk to a Master Foreign Going and ask him/her. what would they rather do without, radar or gps, and the answer is always , can not do without radar, gps can do without, Go long with his, having learnt my nav by sextant, and DR, and oh I prefer halibut to cod!!
Cockpit
I have a Garmin chartplotter and Raymarine radar mounted in the cockpit; a bimini provides protection from the elements. The radar is secured though someone could walk away with the chartplotter. The only real drawback is that it would be nice to enter waypoints in the evening in the security of the cabin but thats not going to happen (the mosquitos in Maine rule the evening). Good luck; hope you find a better solution.
I have a Garmin chartplotter and Raymarine radar mounted in the cockpit; a bimini provides protection from the elements. The radar is secured though someone could walk away with the chartplotter. The only real drawback is that it would be nice to enter waypoints in the evening in the security of the cabin but thats not going to happen (the mosquitos in Maine rule the evening). Good luck; hope you find a better solution.
Keep it where you ALWAYS see it.
I like to keep mine where it can always be seen. Best is if it were right at the helm. I think all instruments that require "tweaking" be at the helm where they can always be played with. Thereby, you will learn to use them. My chartplotter has in integrated antennae and I bought the 12v plug-in power supply. That way I can take it below to chart my next day's course and not be botherd by the mosquitos.
I like to keep mine where it can always be seen. Best is if it were right at the helm. I think all instruments that require "tweaking" be at the helm where they can always be played with. Thereby, you will learn to use them. My chartplotter has in integrated antennae and I bought the 12v plug-in power supply. That way I can take it below to chart my next day's course and not be botherd by the mosquitos.
Radar Screen Position
RSN, Tula's Raymarine Radar screen bracket is in the cockpit on the port cabin top just to the left of the companionway under the dodger and out of the way of winches, lines etc. I like the screen there as I AND my crew can see it clearly. Extra eyes being helpful. When not in use, I drop it in it's case into a teak bracket at the nav station. Don't use it very often as we do not normally sail after dark. Nice to have in fog though. I may also alternate a largish chartplotter screen in the same bracket. Normally, I like instruments right at the helm but in this case it's better everyone sees it. If you are over in the Sidney area this summer, email me at svtula1@shaw.ca and I'll give you a demo. Peter
RSN, Tula's Raymarine Radar screen bracket is in the cockpit on the port cabin top just to the left of the companionway under the dodger and out of the way of winches, lines etc. I like the screen there as I AND my crew can see it clearly. Extra eyes being helpful. When not in use, I drop it in it's case into a teak bracket at the nav station. Don't use it very often as we do not normally sail after dark. Nice to have in fog though. I may also alternate a largish chartplotter screen in the same bracket. Normally, I like instruments right at the helm but in this case it's better everyone sees it. If you are over in the Sidney area this summer, email me at svtula1@shaw.ca and I'll give you a demo. Peter
Navpod
Hey RSN, Take a look at a Navpod. I mounted my Raymarine C80 radar/chartplotter right behind the wheel where it is very easy to reach and read. I used a Navpod, as it was easy to mount, but difficult to remove without the special allen wrench that is provided with the cover
Hey RSN, Take a look at a Navpod. I mounted my Raymarine C80 radar/chartplotter right behind the wheel where it is very easy to reach and read. I used a Navpod, as it was easy to mount, but difficult to remove without the special allen wrench that is provided with the cover
Go Navy
Ron hey shipmate, I am active but started with a tongue depressor and just left a ship with fully electronic chartplotting/navigation. All that and a few good sea stories aside, I have a Raymarine C70 that is on a navpod in the cockpit. It is secure, but more importantly to me, it is within easy reach. The functions that you have now at your fingertips are fantastic, so might as well us 'em. Best luck. Fair winds - following seas
Ron hey shipmate, I am active but started with a tongue depressor and just left a ship with fully electronic chartplotting/navigation. All that and a few good sea stories aside, I have a Raymarine C70 that is on a navpod in the cockpit. It is secure, but more importantly to me, it is within easy reach. The functions that you have now at your fingertips are fantastic, so might as well us 'em. Best luck. Fair winds - following seas
Radar Chart Plotter
I have a Garmin Chartplotter, and JRC radar, both mounted at the helm station. If you want an inside display, most of the major manfs. make a repeater that can be mounted inside. Both units are fairly easy to remove. Garmin's blue chart CD allows me to take the GPS in with me, attach it to the computer and do all the next days navagation problems. Very good idea. And while I am in no way connected with Garmin, their equipment is very good. They also now make radar units, and you can do the radar, gps, chartplotter on the same screen, either overlayed or split screen. Ray marine offers this feature also. And a repeater is available for both I think.
I have a Garmin Chartplotter, and JRC radar, both mounted at the helm station. If you want an inside display, most of the major manfs. make a repeater that can be mounted inside. Both units are fairly easy to remove. Garmin's blue chart CD allows me to take the GPS in with me, attach it to the computer and do all the next days navagation problems. Very good idea. And while I am in no way connected with Garmin, their equipment is very good. They also now make radar units, and you can do the radar, gps, chartplotter on the same screen, either overlayed or split screen. Ray marine offers this feature also. And a repeater is available for both I think.
radar or no?
i was in the air force less many years ago and flew single seat airplanes where all the instruments were absolutely at hand, and so they are on my boat. i use garmin which are water and weather proof, belong to a secure yacht club and have insurance. i hope i am never in a situation that whoever is skippering is not at the helm. the purpose of single-pilot private instrument flying is to get you out of trouble, not into it, and so is seaborne radar for me.
i was in the air force less many years ago and flew single seat airplanes where all the instruments were absolutely at hand, and so they are on my boat. i use garmin which are water and weather proof, belong to a secure yacht club and have insurance. i hope i am never in a situation that whoever is skippering is not at the helm. the purpose of single-pilot private instrument flying is to get you out of trouble, not into it, and so is seaborne radar for me.
You might rethink the security issue...
I used to have my radar installed in the cabin at the nav station. It was a real PITA to run down and check it when I really needed it. Then someone broke into the boat and stole all of the electronics. I put the replacement unit in a weatherproof pod at the helm station and it's way better there. As far as security goes it's very simple to break a little padlock and get into the cabin. Close the hatch back up and you can spend all night down there taking things apart in privacy. But if the burglar has to stand up in the cockpit and dismantle things at the helm station it's much more obvious if any of your dock neighbors happen to be watching. Just a thought to consider...
I used to have my radar installed in the cabin at the nav station. It was a real PITA to run down and check it when I really needed it. Then someone broke into the boat and stole all of the electronics. I put the replacement unit in a weatherproof pod at the helm station and it's way better there. As far as security goes it's very simple to break a little padlock and get into the cabin. Close the hatch back up and you can spend all night down there taking things apart in privacy. But if the burglar has to stand up in the cockpit and dismantle things at the helm station it's much more obvious if any of your dock neighbors happen to be watching. Just a thought to consider...
Peter - just drove by Sidney
BC Ferries is selling a four day pass good for one car and driver and one passenger for $138.00. My son is big time into transportation and is a BC Ferries groupie....lol! So he purchased the four day pass and him and a friend (or me his dad) spent four days travelling all over on the Ferries (the NOrth route is exempt). I recall driving by Sidney three days ago thinking I had no reason to stop there. Next time over, I will give you a call (email). I have a house in Qualicum Beach as well as in North Vancouver, so I'm on the Island a lot. Thanks everyone else for your timely responses. There's a place on the Island that installs "hard" dodgers - I'm considering that if the manufacture responds to my email.
BC Ferries is selling a four day pass good for one car and driver and one passenger for $138.00. My son is big time into transportation and is a BC Ferries groupie....lol! So he purchased the four day pass and him and a friend (or me his dad) spent four days travelling all over on the Ferries (the NOrth route is exempt). I recall driving by Sidney three days ago thinking I had no reason to stop there. Next time over, I will give you a call (email). I have a house in Qualicum Beach as well as in North Vancouver, so I'm on the Island a lot. Thanks everyone else for your timely responses. There's a place on the Island that installs "hard" dodgers - I'm considering that if the manufacture responds to my email.
Cockpit Visible
Having your radar visible at the helm is really the best way to go. When things get really foggy like in Fogust it can really be a white knuckle affair on the water and having the radar down below doesn't really make good use of the equipment. A few years ago I made a "temporary" bracket with some scrap plywood, Elmers glue, and some screws (which I still use) to have the radar in the cockpit. The transmitter is stern mounted on a radar mast and the cable goes into the cockpit. The downside with my setup is the tuning controls aren't reachable from behind the helm; however, if I sit under the dodger (it's usually cold and either misting or light rain) I can both steer and easily reach the controls. Ideally it would be nice to be able to have the radar screen at either the helm or cockpit bulkhead location depending on the situation. Going through Active Pass in peasoup it's be nice to have it at the helm; going across Georga Strait it'd be nice to have it on the bulkhead. So far I've racked up thousands of miles with this setup, including up to Jeauneau and Sitka, and it's worked out fairly well. I don't like poking holes into the boat so I'm still looking at options, albeit kinda slowly. The equipment keeps changing so I don't want to "personalize" the boat any more than I have to. Some of the new electronics is wireless.
Having your radar visible at the helm is really the best way to go. When things get really foggy like in Fogust it can really be a white knuckle affair on the water and having the radar down below doesn't really make good use of the equipment. A few years ago I made a "temporary" bracket with some scrap plywood, Elmers glue, and some screws (which I still use) to have the radar in the cockpit. The transmitter is stern mounted on a radar mast and the cable goes into the cockpit. The downside with my setup is the tuning controls aren't reachable from behind the helm; however, if I sit under the dodger (it's usually cold and either misting or light rain) I can both steer and easily reach the controls. Ideally it would be nice to be able to have the radar screen at either the helm or cockpit bulkhead location depending on the situation. Going through Active Pass in peasoup it's be nice to have it at the helm; going across Georga Strait it'd be nice to have it on the bulkhead. So far I've racked up thousands of miles with this setup, including up to Jeauneau and Sitka, and it's worked out fairly well. I don't like poking holes into the boat so I'm still looking at options, albeit kinda slowly. The equipment keeps changing so I don't want to "personalize" the boat any more than I have to. Some of the new electronics is wireless.
Nice job John
Jeff Berman, who owns a C36 Mk II here in the Bay Area worked up a nifty bracket solution on his starboard side. He steers with his remote autopilot from under the dodger, and the hinge lets him see the radar when he's down below at the nav station which is also on the starboard side, aft. I understand the security issues mentioned above, as well. A disadvantage of having the radar, or anything else for that matter, at the helm, is that when the weather is bad, that's most likely the LAST place you want to be. It's at the pitching end of the boat, exposed, as compared to protection under the dodger and more to the center of (and, therefore, less) movement. Jeff also built a handy dandy little padded perch seat that fits into the lowest hatch board slot. Guess that's why all boats are compromises. *! Stu
Jeff Berman, who owns a C36 Mk II here in the Bay Area worked up a nifty bracket solution on his starboard side. He steers with his remote autopilot from under the dodger, and the hinge lets him see the radar when he's down below at the nav station which is also on the starboard side, aft. I understand the security issues mentioned above, as well. A disadvantage of having the radar, or anything else for that matter, at the helm, is that when the weather is bad, that's most likely the LAST place you want to be. It's at the pitching end of the boat, exposed, as compared to protection under the dodger and more to the center of (and, therefore, less) movement. Jeff also built a handy dandy little padded perch seat that fits into the lowest hatch board slot. Guess that's why all boats are compromises. *! Stu
radar or no?
glad you're on the west coast and me on the east; being out in bad weather with nobody at the helm of other boats really scares me.
glad you're on the west coast and me on the east; being out in bad weather with nobody at the helm of other boats really scares me.
Nobody at the helm?
I don't think anyone means or is implying that no one is keeping watch. The only difference is being able to stay warmer, drier and more alert under the dodger, while keeping a sharp lookout, than freezing and losing sensory perception out at the helm itself. The course is adjusted by the autopilot, unless conditions warrant hand steering. Sometimes when it gets foggy it's still in pretty calm water. Stu
I don't think anyone means or is implying that no one is keeping watch. The only difference is being able to stay warmer, drier and more alert under the dodger, while keeping a sharp lookout, than freezing and losing sensory perception out at the helm itself. The course is adjusted by the autopilot, unless conditions warrant hand steering. Sometimes when it gets foggy it's still in pretty calm water. Stu
Position As Required
Agree with Stu - nobody said one wouldn't be behind the helm or couldn't access it quickly. It depends on the situation so one shouldn't make the assumption I'd never be behind the wheel - I am a lot, but not allways. There are lots of times when I have the radar on but the visability is fairly good. It's good practice to run the radar and work with it even in better visability situations, both for the user and for the equipment. Attached is a picture of my C-172, N5086R, full King IFR. Not Government funded. It has also been to Alaska including Glacier Bay - but no radar.
Agree with Stu - nobody said one wouldn't be behind the helm or couldn't access it quickly. It depends on the situation so one shouldn't make the assumption I'd never be behind the wheel - I am a lot, but not allways. There are lots of times when I have the radar on but the visability is fairly good. It's good practice to run the radar and work with it even in better visability situations, both for the user and for the equipment. Attached is a picture of my C-172, N5086R, full King IFR. Not Government funded. It has also been to Alaska including Glacier Bay - but no radar.
John, thank you.
What a great idea! My display is permanently mounted below but a call to 'Radars R Us' will get me another display. The cabling is a snap to rig from my present antenna using your idea. Then I can be at the helm for those times such as narrow passages during fog. Thanks again!
What a great idea! My display is permanently mounted below but a call to 'Radars R Us' will get me another display. The cabling is a snap to rig from my present antenna using your idea. Then I can be at the helm for those times such as narrow passages during fog. Thanks again!
On my H376
I have two mounting brackets, one at the nav station, one at the helm console. Both are hard wired. So on those days or at night when I really need it I just unplug from the nav station and bring it into the cockpit, and plug it in. Takes 5 minutes. Works great. I agree with you that having in away from the helm is not good, especially when you really need it.
I have two mounting brackets, one at the nav station, one at the helm console. Both are hard wired. So on those days or at night when I really need it I just unplug from the nav station and bring it into the cockpit, and plug it in. Takes 5 minutes. Works great. I agree with you that having in away from the helm is not good, especially when you really need it.
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