Ok, The admiral has given me the go to get the radar/chartplotter/gps system Ive wanted. My question for the group is where to mount the radar???....I have a bud that will fab a post or bracket from alum. but my question is where?? Mast mount? with Binical?...Aft post with Binnical?...or back stay with binnical???....and how much difference does the binnical make?...Ive heard the story of submarines and airplanes...but is this really true? Happy Thanksgiving! Rob 46' morgan sloop
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Here's the display.
It all depends on how you do this sport. In this part of the country I like to be able to drive from below when traveling. (we rarely make good time under sail) And the cabin is heated. Your call.
It all depends on how you do this sport. In this part of the country I like to be able to drive from below when traveling. (we rarely make good time under sail) And the cabin is heated. Your call.
You could mount the display in one of these;
I chose to install other stuff. Again, your call. And you're gonna have so much fun.
I chose to install other stuff. Again, your call. And you're gonna have so much fun.
question
When you say "binical' are you really referring to a gimbal mount for the radome or are you referring to the location of the display at the binnacle (compass/helm)?
When you say "binical' are you really referring to a gimbal mount for the radome or are you referring to the location of the display at the binnacle (compass/helm)?
sorry terminalogy incorrect
yes I mean gibal mount...the tilting mechanisim. I am looking at mounting the radar antenna specificly, I think Ive worked out the display. Ive heard when heeled the radar stays on the horizon mounted. so if you heel 20 degrees the radar is also heeled 20 degrees, so the beam sweep is 20 degrees above the horizon and 20 degrees below the horizon. Has anyone used there radar while sailing and noticed a signiicant drawback to this. or is the gibal the best solution?? and what about the location? mast pole backstay? Thanks Rob
yes I mean gibal mount...the tilting mechanisim. I am looking at mounting the radar antenna specificly, I think Ive worked out the display. Ive heard when heeled the radar stays on the horizon mounted. so if you heel 20 degrees the radar is also heeled 20 degrees, so the beam sweep is 20 degrees above the horizon and 20 degrees below the horizon. Has anyone used there radar while sailing and noticed a signiicant drawback to this. or is the gibal the best solution?? and what about the location? mast pole backstay? Thanks Rob
2 persepectives
1. Radar use while sailing: Better to use gimballed rig to avoid blanking problem as discussed. A stern pole mount, such as the Garhauer pole with manual leveling system, works/ed for me as it simplified installation/cable runs, etc, and repairs, if needed. I's SS, well-made and reasonably priced. But, 2. Radar more likely to be used in bad weather such as fog, night time and/or navigating channel, harbor entrances/exits and similar situations where you will most likley be motoring with heeling not a factor. After considering both views, I elected to go with the adjustable stern pole as it seemed to cover most, if not all contingencies/uses.
1. Radar use while sailing: Better to use gimballed rig to avoid blanking problem as discussed. A stern pole mount, such as the Garhauer pole with manual leveling system, works/ed for me as it simplified installation/cable runs, etc, and repairs, if needed. I's SS, well-made and reasonably priced. But, 2. Radar more likely to be used in bad weather such as fog, night time and/or navigating channel, harbor entrances/exits and similar situations where you will most likley be motoring with heeling not a factor. After considering both views, I elected to go with the adjustable stern pole as it seemed to cover most, if not all contingencies/uses.
Radar Vs Plotter
Rob, Freds method of the read being at the chart table down below, works much better than you think it would. Very rarely do you have to be on top of radar. I NEVER fully trust radar after some experiences I had with them. Methinks your mind is made up but I will give some free solid advice to you: 1) Do NOT WASTE MONEY ON A PLOTTER. 2) A "Splilt Screen" is worthless. 3) I have sailed thousands of coastal and inside miles without radar, better to have it. 4) A mount at the spreaders works well, a radar 'arch' is good, the adjustable 'poles' are crap and yank out stanchion and create havac. 5) A read-out screen at the binnical is okay, but in fog you are constantly wiping it, it sill affect your compass, and there is the theft problem... Freds mount in the Nav station is the best, and the electronics like it drier too. You cannot beat the Nobeltech nav system on a laptop in the nav station; a plotter is toosmall a screen and a toy in comparison. No, don't have Nobeltech stock, and I am very old fashioned, took me awhile to use/trust the Nobeltech system, the charts are a bit off in Mexico.
Rob, Freds method of the read being at the chart table down below, works much better than you think it would. Very rarely do you have to be on top of radar. I NEVER fully trust radar after some experiences I had with them. Methinks your mind is made up but I will give some free solid advice to you: 1) Do NOT WASTE MONEY ON A PLOTTER. 2) A "Splilt Screen" is worthless. 3) I have sailed thousands of coastal and inside miles without radar, better to have it. 4) A mount at the spreaders works well, a radar 'arch' is good, the adjustable 'poles' are crap and yank out stanchion and create havac. 5) A read-out screen at the binnical is okay, but in fog you are constantly wiping it, it sill affect your compass, and there is the theft problem... Freds mount in the Nav station is the best, and the electronics like it drier too. You cannot beat the Nobeltech nav system on a laptop in the nav station; a plotter is toosmall a screen and a toy in comparison. No, don't have Nobeltech stock, and I am very old fashioned, took me awhile to use/trust the Nobeltech system, the charts are a bit off in Mexico.
I think I found something to disagree with Ron
about,,,,nope, agree with that too. Never mind.
The antenna mount on my arch is built to manually tilt the dome for leveling. I've never needed to do it. The radar beam width on my R20X is tall enough that leveling is not needed. Can't speak for other radars though.
about,,,,nope, agree with that too. Never mind.
The antenna mount on my arch is built to manually tilt the dome for leveling. I've never needed to do it. The radar beam width on my R20X is tall enough that leveling is not needed. Can't speak for other radars though.
Plotter/Radar
If you do decide to go with Radar and Chartplotting you will need a fluxgate compass in the system if you want to overlay radar onto the chart display. I have seen this demoed and was impressed! Garmin recommends the KVH 1000 and Raymarine has their own. Don't know about Furuno, Northstar, Lowrance, etc.
If you do decide to go with Radar and Chartplotting you will need a fluxgate compass in the system if you want to overlay radar onto the chart display. I have seen this demoed and was impressed! Garmin recommends the KVH 1000 and Raymarine has their own. Don't know about Furuno, Northstar, Lowrance, etc.
Love my chartplotter/gps/radar
I love the gps/radar at the helm,I have only just added the radar this past season and still learning how use it. Have had the raymarine RL70CRC PLUS since boat was new 2001 at the helm. Don't really need radar while sailing but added it for the weekend end trips when the weather gets bad so I am still learning and it sucks up a lolt of power so you do need to run the motor nick
I love the gps/radar at the helm,I have only just added the radar this past season and still learning how use it. Have had the raymarine RL70CRC PLUS since boat was new 2001 at the helm. Don't really need radar while sailing but added it for the weekend end trips when the weather gets bad so I am still learning and it sucks up a lolt of power so you do need to run the motor nick
Great topic
been thinkin what?where? for a system and display location. I had the pleasure of getting a 40ft stinkpot from Fla. to New York this summer and it had a Raymarine chartplotter/gps/radar I liked the overlay part of it but I don't like the large display at the helm of my boat and it would be a target for theft. Freds system is nice and would work fine if I ever build that nav station I been thinking about. (its on the list)
been thinkin what?where? for a system and display location. I had the pleasure of getting a 40ft stinkpot from Fla. to New York this summer and it had a Raymarine chartplotter/gps/radar I liked the overlay part of it but I don't like the large display at the helm of my boat and it would be a target for theft. Freds system is nice and would work fine if I ever build that nav station I been thinking about. (its on the list)
Don't bother with gimbals
My experience with the Garhauer post equipped with an adjustable head to tilt the radar is that it is no doubt of good manufacturing quality but otherwise rather pointless. My Raymarine 2D 18" radome is not affected by the the heel of the boat and any amount of adjustment of its atitude makes no difference to its performance. I am seriously thinking of repairing the hole in the transon that the pole requires and mounting the radar on the mast. Incidentally my Garhauer pole has a crane for handling an outboard, but since I have a 2.5hp motor this is also redundant. My experience with the radar itself is good. It can be a good supplement to other navigation tools, it picks out little fishing boats at night or in fog which is very important for me and, perhaps best of all, it tracks thunderstorms.
My experience with the Garhauer post equipped with an adjustable head to tilt the radar is that it is no doubt of good manufacturing quality but otherwise rather pointless. My Raymarine 2D 18" radome is not affected by the the heel of the boat and any amount of adjustment of its atitude makes no difference to its performance. I am seriously thinking of repairing the hole in the transon that the pole requires and mounting the radar on the mast. Incidentally my Garhauer pole has a crane for handling an outboard, but since I have a 2.5hp motor this is also redundant. My experience with the radar itself is good. It can be a good supplement to other navigation tools, it picks out little fishing boats at night or in fog which is very important for me and, perhaps best of all, it tracks thunderstorms.
Anyone use a backstay mount?
I am installing a Raymarine Chartplotter and radar. I was considering a backstay mount but was advised by my sail loft that it could stress the rig and alter sail shape and trim with wave motion. Anyone experience this? Is it a real concern?
I am installing a Raymarine Chartplotter and radar. I was considering a backstay mount but was advised by my sail loft that it could stress the rig and alter sail shape and trim with wave motion. Anyone experience this? Is it a real concern?
Another display install.
I installed my display as seen in the picture. I can view from the nav as shown. Or swing the arm into the passageway for a clear view from the cockpit. And it does not interfere with work at the table. The swing arm can be purchased wherever TVs are sold.
I installed my display as seen in the picture. I can view from the nav as shown. Or swing the arm into the passageway for a clear view from the cockpit. And it does not interfere with work at the table. The swing arm can be purchased wherever TVs are sold.
Radar display location
I have a C-80 chartplotter at the helm. After our first and so far only trip in New England fog I can't imagine it anywhere else, crossing Buzzards Bay was not fun so you can guess who was steering. All the navigation info was right where I was, it's very comforting to see the radar return from the bouy right where the GPS says the bouy is when you still can't see the bouy. We have a RAM mic at the helm so an occasional conformation on CH 16 with blip that was crossing or overtaking was quick and made the "Last Mate" a little less nervious.
I have a C-80 chartplotter at the helm. After our first and so far only trip in New England fog I can't imagine it anywhere else, crossing Buzzards Bay was not fun so you can guess who was steering. All the navigation info was right where I was, it's very comforting to see the radar return from the bouy right where the GPS says the bouy is when you still can't see the bouy. We have a RAM mic at the helm so an occasional conformation on CH 16 with blip that was crossing or overtaking was quick and made the "Last Mate" a little less nervious.
JRC 1800 a compromise
The JRC 1800 colour unit with split screen isn't quite as good as an overlay, but almost, and much cheaper. One screen is radar and the other half of the screen is chart plotter. Having the two images so close together gives you a better idea of what the radar is "seeing." Having colour radar makes things easier, so for example, anything blue with a dot at its head gives you direction and the fact it is moving; green colours don't move. JRC has discontinued the 1800 unit but is coming out with something better in the spring of 2006. I have a tiller boat and the radar, chart plotter is amounted above on a swing arm that will swing into the companion way. On the bottom is a Garmin 320 depth sounder. The arm can swing out so you can see it from the helm, or swing in and you can refer to it in the cabin, or have a buddy check it out.
The JRC 1800 colour unit with split screen isn't quite as good as an overlay, but almost, and much cheaper. One screen is radar and the other half of the screen is chart plotter. Having the two images so close together gives you a better idea of what the radar is "seeing." Having colour radar makes things easier, so for example, anything blue with a dot at its head gives you direction and the fact it is moving; green colours don't move. JRC has discontinued the 1800 unit but is coming out with something better in the spring of 2006. I have a tiller boat and the radar, chart plotter is amounted above on a swing arm that will swing into the companion way. On the bottom is a Garmin 320 depth sounder. The arm can swing out so you can see it from the helm, or swing in and you can refer to it in the cabin, or have a buddy check it out.
Put it high on the mast
that is what determines your max range. Forget the gimbal mount. They are just too expensive for what small advantage you get. Forget the pole, too. Another couple of things to fail at the worst time. Check the archives - this topic has been thrashed to death already many times. Just remember that I am right....
that is what determines your max range. Forget the gimbal mount. They are just too expensive for what small advantage you get. Forget the pole, too. Another couple of things to fail at the worst time. Check the archives - this topic has been thrashed to death already many times. Just remember that I am right....
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