I'm interested in a radar.It's going on a Legend 40'. Not sure about a mast mount or stern post mount, I don't have a radar arch. Should I think about a radar arch? This one's probably easy, only two choices,or three at the most. Now the hard one. For best value and ease of operation,(I'm a poor buba with ADD) I don't want to have to know how to build the radar, I just want to learn how to turn it on. Do I want a monocrome, color, or CRT? Can/should it be mounted at the helm-are they weatherproof? or inside at the nav station ( a swing arm isn't practical here). Do I want a chart display too? What say ye ole crystal ball? Thanks for any and all opinions.
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Radar
Ed, I would recommend a color radar. We have both types of display and he color is much easier to read. Location of the display might have something to do with the conditions you sail under and in. We rarely use the display at the nav station, and in a pinch, solo, I would not want to be traveling up and down to use it for critical information. If you have someone along who can read it and relay critical information, then below is fine. I would mount it however makes you most comfortable. Ours is on the mast, but we have heard people who prefer the arch or a pole. Decide early if you want a chartplotter. You can get combination systems (like a Raytheon RL70CRC) that will do all of the functions and the cost vs. features are worthwhile (like synchronizing the radar with the chartplotter). Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
Ed, I would recommend a color radar. We have both types of display and he color is much easier to read. Location of the display might have something to do with the conditions you sail under and in. We rarely use the display at the nav station, and in a pinch, solo, I would not want to be traveling up and down to use it for critical information. If you have someone along who can read it and relay critical information, then below is fine. I would mount it however makes you most comfortable. Ours is on the mast, but we have heard people who prefer the arch or a pole. Decide early if you want a chartplotter. You can get combination systems (like a Raytheon RL70CRC) that will do all of the functions and the cost vs. features are worthwhile (like synchronizing the radar with the chartplotter). Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
Ditto- Mr. Jonas
Daniel makes a much better sales pitch than I can, but he is completely correct. The Color LCD display is much better, but you will have to let your wallet decide on that one. The Color displays are very useful in direct sunlight and the red and green buoys on the chartplotter are pretty neat. I would suggest trying to get a look at a couple of these before you buy. There is a complete list of the dealers on the web at www.raymarine.com. The boat show season is also coming up.
Daniel makes a much better sales pitch than I can, but he is completely correct. The Color LCD display is much better, but you will have to let your wallet decide on that one. The Color displays are very useful in direct sunlight and the red and green buoys on the chartplotter are pretty neat. I would suggest trying to get a look at a couple of these before you buy. There is a complete list of the dealers on the web at www.raymarine.com. The boat show season is also coming up.
Self leveling
This past summer I made a round trio to Bermuda on my H37 Cutter and we used the radar almost full time both for on watch and for weather. We also had a chart plotter and both are invaluable. My antenna is mounted on the mast at spreader height and we found that while at sea and with a moderste heal we were looking at a lot of sky or water and not the surface. I would recommed a rear self leveling back stay mount or a leveling rear mast. I feel you will get a much better picture of your surrounding this way than to put it up the mast.
This past summer I made a round trio to Bermuda on my H37 Cutter and we used the radar almost full time both for on watch and for weather. We also had a chart plotter and both are invaluable. My antenna is mounted on the mast at spreader height and we found that while at sea and with a moderste heal we were looking at a lot of sky or water and not the surface. I would recommed a rear self leveling back stay mount or a leveling rear mast. I feel you will get a much better picture of your surrounding this way than to put it up the mast.
Screen At Helm
On our H-35 we use the radar mostly for travel through fog and in this case having it in the cockpit is a necessity. Initially I had the screen installed at the navsta but this took a lot of running up and down; now that it's under the dodger I can steer and watch for targets without ever having to leave the helm. Our primary cruising ground is in the northwest on the "inside" with numerous other vessels, islands, and the like. Perhaps with ocean crossings the navsta might be okay since one doesn't have to contend with immovable objects. For inland cruising one should have a sound device as well to send the required sound signals. A loud hailer with the appropriate settings is usefull.
On our H-35 we use the radar mostly for travel through fog and in this case having it in the cockpit is a necessity. Initially I had the screen installed at the navsta but this took a lot of running up and down; now that it's under the dodger I can steer and watch for targets without ever having to leave the helm. Our primary cruising ground is in the northwest on the "inside" with numerous other vessels, islands, and the like. Perhaps with ocean crossings the navsta might be okay since one doesn't have to contend with immovable objects. For inland cruising one should have a sound device as well to send the required sound signals. A loud hailer with the appropriate settings is usefull.
A second vote
I have a h40.5 with a leveling backstay mount and the display at the helm. I chose a Raytheon 4Kw RL70 w/o the chart option. No color was available when I bought it. I would only recommend the display at the helm. That is where you need it. Why mount it below when the units are waterproof? I chose the Waltz self leveling mount for a couple of reasons. Price, ability to put up and down without help from the yard, no premium required when pulling the mast, and I could install it myself with the mast up. It is an easy cable run to the helm from the backstay. I've got pictures if you want. Just email me. Rich
I have a h40.5 with a leveling backstay mount and the display at the helm. I chose a Raytheon 4Kw RL70 w/o the chart option. No color was available when I bought it. I would only recommend the display at the helm. That is where you need it. Why mount it below when the units are waterproof? I chose the Waltz self leveling mount for a couple of reasons. Price, ability to put up and down without help from the yard, no premium required when pulling the mast, and I could install it myself with the mast up. It is an easy cable run to the helm from the backstay. I've got pictures if you want. Just email me. Rich
No first hand knowledge
But I recall reading recently (I think it was in the Log of Ithaka on the cruising world web site) that they have thier's set up so they can move it. Up by the wheel where you need it when underway then they move it down below at night so that during a nasty storm they can use it the tell if they are dragging. That sounds like a good setup to me.
But I recall reading recently (I think it was in the Log of Ithaka on the cruising world web site) that they have thier's set up so they can move it. Up by the wheel where you need it when underway then they move it down below at night so that during a nasty storm they can use it the tell if they are dragging. That sounds like a good setup to me.
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