radar mast (tower)

RogerJuntunen · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:50 am Post subject: radar mast (tower)

Hi C- Brats, We recently purchased a radar unit for IN CAHOOTS (cd 25) which is not yet installed. I think I want to put it on the front brow as I don't have a radar arch. I will be carrying a dingy on the roof also. any thoughts from the brats on how high I need the unit or helpful hints? I remember Harvey recently saying to use nylon washers. What have others used for a pedestal and are you happy with it? thank you! Roger

Moxieabs · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:26 pm Post subject:

If you look in the Erie Canal cruise 2006 in cruises and events heading, there are several views of a radar mounted on the brow of Hunky Dory from Maine. Rick frequently carries an inflatable on the cabin top.

journey on · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:44 pm Post subject:

My personal preference is to have the radar above the cabin top. Journey On has a radar arch, but if all you're going to mount is the radar look at this: Edson Pedestal, $150 at Defender. Similar pedestals come in various heights and either stainless ($$) or aluminum. You can have the pedestal point forward or aft just by turning it around.

Since the boat will lift the bow when under way, wherever you mount it, point it down a few degrees. As an example, here's the Seaview Mount Base Wedge for $ 55. It also will keep your radar off the cabin top.

Boris

thataway · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:37 pm Post subject:

If you want the radar above the dinghy, measure or find out the inflatable tube diameter, and raise the radar dome by that much on a pedestal mount. If the dinghy is a soft tube, or just has a wooden/fiberglass transom, the radar will "shoot" thru this material, and there will be no or minimal degradation of the radar signal. If there is an aluminum plate on the dinghy transom, I would not put the dinghy over the radar dome. We have had one radar mounted directly on the cabin top--have gone up 12" and not seen much difference. For the current boat, we purchased a lightly used radar and pedestal, which is about 2 feet high--a bit more than I wanted, but we will try that. It will put the radar well beyond the dingy, which is good with our current dinghy, which does have an aluminum plate on the transom for the motor mount.

The distance above the water by a foot or two will make little difference in the "Radar Horizon".

Or if you want the cheap version there is the "commode" radar mount using WC PVC plastic from Home Depot. About $15 in parts.

SENSEI · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:10 pm Post subject:

Hey Roger
I bought a tower about 8 inches tall for the 25 but sold the boat before I was able to mount it.
it looks similar to this one

it is yours for the cost of shipping if you want it.

matt_unique · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:48 am Post subject: Mount

I mounted my radar on a Seaview 10" aluminum pedestal as far forward as possible. Considering the beam angle of radar you don't need a wedge but I just liked the idea of having it closer to level while underway and opted for a wedge.

This arrangement allows me to carry an inflatable dinghy on the roof.