Radar mount

[Bad Boy]

I took my own measurements to mount my radar. With the boat in the water at rest, you can mount the radom with bow side down 4 degrees (3.7-degrees to be exact). This will put the radar at level while on plane. I use a digital level to determine the angle while I was traveling 16 knots.

[thataway]

The running attitude of the Tom Cat will vary depending on the load, the trim of that load, position of that load, as well as engine trim. It will easily vary over 5 degrees. Even at a given speed, especially if you have the Permatrims, you can vary the boats attitude.

Many will be running the boat at displacement speed in significant loss of visability. I would not personally advise putting the radar dome at a down angle on a Tom Cat 255.

[redbaronace]

Resurecting an old thread. But at what angle should I mount the radar and also what height. I figured I would ask given that the OP question was regarding a Tomcat.

I have Rocket Launchers on the rear roof of my Tomcat24 and the tops of the launchers are at 11 inches above the roof. For this I need to decide how high the radar mount should be. I would prefer it to not be too high so as to cause clearance issues, yet im thinking the dome should clear the rocket launchers.

Suggestions and input would be appreciated.

[thataway]

It would be best to be above the rocket launchers. I had the radar on the TC 255 about a foot off the cabin house. You don't want any GPS antenna in the beam sweep. I did not put a wedge under the Tom Cat--but if you want to put one in--5 degrees should be fine. Remember that most radar beams are about 30 degrees in the vertical plane. This is 15 degrees above and below the horizontal plane. On a plane or at idle speed the Tom Cat is fairly level.

[Captains Cat]

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album776&id=Closeup_of_new_Radar&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

This was what I used on a TC255. About 11" tall I think. It was a SeaScan if I remember right and about a 2 deg forward till. More pix in My album(s).

Charlie

[Bad Boy]

You can also view photos of my radar installation in my modifications folder. The array needs to clear the rod holders. I mounted it 5-degrees tilted down because I determined that was the average lift when the boat was underway at 10-knots, which is the speed I travel at night.

Be sure to determine your starting point when the boat is at rest in the water, not on the trailer.

[Foggy]

In cruising some photos of C-Dorys, I see radar arches and pedestal mounts of various heights and designs along with no pedestal or arch with radar mounted directly forward on the pilothouse roof. None of this presents a problem for my understanding.

What does make me wonder is 'why' some owners have elected to mount their radars aft on the pilothouse. Please, aft mounters speak.

Aye.

[localboy]

[T.R. Bauer]

If you have the means to weld aluminum or stainless, you could build one that folds with a foot of 2" square stock tubing, a 6 x 6 inch chunk of 1/8 inch plate for the base to the boat, a 10x10 inch piece of plate for the base of the radar unit, two 4 x 6 inch pieces of plate welded to the boat base plate, a 2.5 inch long 1/2 inch stainless bolt, and a hitch pin. I built mine in an afternoon out of alum for around 50 bucks.....I also build the best cooler rack known to mankind.......

[Foggy]