Looking to install a SIMRAD 20” radar dome on a Seaview mount on a 2006 232 Gulfstream. Due to the back slant of the hardtop it appears will need a wedge to level the radar dome to make it level with the horizon. Not a big fan of wedges that aim the dome extremely down so it will be level while running at cruise. Only want enough wedge to keep radar dome level with the horizon at slow speeds. Seaview offers 2,4 and 6 degree wedges. I’m thinking 4 degrees will be enough but looking for any advice anyone has with mounting a radar on the slanted hardtop. Thanks for any advice.
How many degrees radar wedge needed for 2006 Gulfstream Hardtop .
- Thread starter Bmarlin22
- Start date
It is possible that when on plane, your hull is more level to the sea than when at rest. That can be especially true when the hull is trimmed down for cruise speeds . In that case, adding a wedge can reduce the distance that the radar scans. I recommend that you determine the location for the dome and call Simrad to get some expert advice. I would also ask about the possibility of cutting off some of the lower signal if two much down angle wedge is used.
Sardinia306Canyon
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First it depends what you want/need to see,
small boats are much easier to detect than crab pot buoys (what is my problem) and how far away you want/need to detect them.
Every boat floats different and as shorter the boats hull is more level changes by different load situations, including the use of outboard and trim tab trim.
I suggest that you measure the level on your hardtop when at the speed you want best reading and that under different load situations and speeds. Have people sit in bow area and then on stern area to see if that changes considerable boats level and if any, consider that as too much downwards with bow high at slow speed will most liekly lead to not seeing very far at planing speed when boats is more or less at level.
A few weeks ago i came back to the marina with 2-3ft short period waves and there was a kayak so i fired up my Fantom 18 and to my surprise the Kayak was clearly visible from about 1/4 mile and at 6 knots, but maybe not at 20 knots when driving home at night?
I fear if you wan't best you need to find out first the average degrees and then tweak it with a wedge or spacers between radar and the SeaView.
If you need to see very small stuff like buoys then i suggest you to anchor a buoy and spend a afternoon to check at what speed and boat level you see her and at what distance she appears and disappears, channel markers or anything similar would work too to get used what your new Radar will show and what not.
Chris
small boats are much easier to detect than crab pot buoys (what is my problem) and how far away you want/need to detect them.
Every boat floats different and as shorter the boats hull is more level changes by different load situations, including the use of outboard and trim tab trim.
I suggest that you measure the level on your hardtop when at the speed you want best reading and that under different load situations and speeds. Have people sit in bow area and then on stern area to see if that changes considerable boats level and if any, consider that as too much downwards with bow high at slow speed will most liekly lead to not seeing very far at planing speed when boats is more or less at level.
A few weeks ago i came back to the marina with 2-3ft short period waves and there was a kayak so i fired up my Fantom 18 and to my surprise the Kayak was clearly visible from about 1/4 mile and at 6 knots, but maybe not at 20 knots when driving home at night?
I fear if you wan't best you need to find out first the average degrees and then tweak it with a wedge or spacers between radar and the SeaView.
If you need to see very small stuff like buoys then i suggest you to anchor a buoy and spend a afternoon to check at what speed and boat level you see her and at what distance she appears and disappears, channel markers or anything similar would work too to get used what your new Radar will show and what not.
Chris
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ROBERTH
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Any reason why not installing on the front edge of the hardtop? I mounted mine there and it does a great job finding smaller stuff in front, night or day of course. No wedges or mount needed.
Fishtales
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I used 7.5 degree wedges for my outriggers. Not sure how the Marlin translates to your boat though. Might be good to play with wood until you get something that works and then see what you can find on the web.
luckydude
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I replaced my hard top with a custom pilot house and Charlie Hicks put a tower up there and tilted my radar down a bit.
It might quite the difference, I see more than I used to see.
I liked Chris' advice, I'd give that a go.
It might quite the difference, I see more than I used to see.
I liked Chris' advice, I'd give that a go.
Denko
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I have a 96 GS with a similar set-up, but I think our tops are a bit different. I installed the unit last season but didn't like the angle of the dome without a wedge. I used the 4° with aft leaning pedestal on a hinged mount with the light bar. I spliced in connectors to unplug the radar and switched out the hinge pivot bolts for clevis pins to remove it for trailering. Very happy with function and performance, but to be fair this is my first radar so nothing to compare it to.
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Install an inclinometer app on your smart-phone and measure the angle of your hardtop sitting at rest and varying speeds that you expect to travel at. Then you have no worries about buying the wrong wedge. The app is free.
Just remember that most radars shoot a beam about 25 degrees wide vertically, so they are pretty forgiving as far as aiming goes.
Just remember that most radars shoot a beam about 25 degrees wide vertically, so they are pretty forgiving as far as aiming goes.