Radar Mounting

[jmoneilthe2]

I have purchased a Radar Mount and Radar for my Seafarer 22. I have a Bimini top not a hard top so I'm looking for advise on how high I need to set the Radar at to clear the Bimini Top. I have read about 8 inches? Does anyone else have this setup and can give me some advise?
Thanks,
John

 

[seasick]

What are going to mount the radar to? Do you have a radar arch or some other hard structure. Mounting the dome or array to the bimini top doesn't sound like a good idea.

The radar array should be mounted level to the water line while cruising. In addition, the beam of the radar should clear any obstacles like hard top, spot lights, antennas etc.
Since the beam is usually 15 degrees above and below the dome or array, the array needs to have a clear line of sight so if the beam hits the top, the unit needs to be raised and or moved forward or a combination of the two.
The closer to the boat that you want to see objects, the higher or more forward the array would have to be mounted.
The angle of the beam depends on the particular radar model. Call the manufacturer's support line . I am sure they will have the documentation and guidance.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

The radar array should be mounted level to the water line while cruising.

Yes and no as this is a decision what depends on where one is boating and on boa and it's bow rise below planing speed.
A radar level and reading perfectly at plaing speed and perhaps with trim tabs read not very well at non planing speed due unavoidable bow rise except 0-3 knots where bow rise is low.
For one who is boating in for example channels or other busy areas with speed limits he may choose a different radar tilt than boaters who speed at 30 knots 100 miles out and back and don't have speed limit areas where bow rise could be a problem.
In some conditions it's a good idea to make some shims and experiment when and under what condition radar reads at best and that could be just between 3-6 knots and planing speed to work for both acceptable well.

I have a Bimini top not a hard top so I'm looking for advise on how high I need to set the Radar at to clear the Bimini Top.

Can you explain better what you have and what you bought?
Do you have a thin tube foldable fabric Bimini top or a strong T-Top made of sturdy pipes with fabric cover?
The radar mount you bought is a long enough pole to stay above the top or a ScanStrut type 1 ft high one?

Yes, 8 inches is about right and also above your head as you don't want the radar beam to hit your head.

Chris

 

[seasick]

Yes and no as this is a decision what depends on where one is boating and on boa and it's bow rise below planing speed.
A radar level and reading perfectly at plaing speed and perhaps with trim tabs read not very well at non planing speed due unavoidable bow rise except 0-3 knots where bow rise is low.
For one who is boating in for example channels or other busy areas with speed limits he may choose a different radar tilt than boaters who speed at 30 knots 100 miles out and back and don't have speed limit areas where bow rise could be a problem.
In some conditions it's a good idea to make some shims and experiment when and under what condition radar reads at best and that could be just between 3-6 knots and planing speed to work for both acceptable well.


Can you explain better what you have and what you bought?
Do you have a thin tube foldable fabric Bimini top or a strong T-Top made of sturdy pipes with fabric cover?
The radar mount you bought is a long enough pole to stay above the top or a ScanStrut type 1 ft high one?

Yes, 8 inches is about right and also above your head as you don't want the radar beam to hit your head.

Chris

Agreed. I didn't explain the level issue well at all.
The point I was trying to make was that the angle of the dome determines what parts of the forward view is covered by radar beam. If you want to 'see' things close to the bow, the radar may need to be angled down a bit. If looking at clouds and birds is important, maybe the dome needs to be angled up. What you want to avoid is having some or all of the radar beam blocked by equipment like a hardtop. You can almost think of radar as similar to a spot light where the beam is about 30 degrees tall, half of that above level and half below. Tilt the light beam down and the top may block the light beam. Tilt the light up and you may not see objects in front of the boat.

 

[Halfhitch]

Yes, 8 inches is about right and also above your head as you don't want the radar beam to hit your head.

This is something I have always tried to be careful about. During the years I had radar and on our work boats the radar was always shut off if there were guys working the bow but that was during the analog radar days. Now that we have digital radar, does anyone know if that is still a consideration or is it a non-issue now?

 

[luckydude]

I have the Garmin dome, I think it was about $2K, whatever one that is. Maybe 18 inch?

I don't particularly care for it, it doesn't see kayakers, it doesn't see Montauks but it sees birds? WTF?

When I did my pilot house, Charlie Hicks put it up on a pedestal and leaned it down in the front 4-5 degrees. That helped, it sees more stuff, still doesn't see everything. I've fiddled with the settings, still no joy. It mostly works but doesn't work enough of the time I really don't see the point of radar. You can't depend on it, you still have to look, so what's the point?

Personally, I'd put in autopilot WAY before I would put in radar if I was doing things over. I use the autopilot every single trip, I rarely use radar.

If you are going to put it in, I'd get it as high as possible and then tilt down 4-5 degrees relative to the line of the gunnels. The reasoning is you care more about what is ahead of you than behind you.

Good luck. Have you considered autopilot instead?