I concur with the notion that radar is best 1/4 to 5 mile....also add this is where AIS is an excellent complement because if you occasionally expand your range the large commercial vessels will show AIS targets.
I have several times hailing the presence of ourselves in dense fog travelling 090 to commercial freighters travelling 270. We were not yet on their radar but after the chat we both knew where to go when passing. ________________________________ From: Martin DeYoung <martin.deyo...@outlook.com> Sent: December 14, 2020 10:54 PM To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Subject: Stus-List Re: Radar mounting options Shawn, On Calypso we have the radar antenna mounted on a stern pole with a Scan Strut adjustable tilt base. On the C&C 36 we owned before the 43 we had a Questus back stay pole with a dampened mount. The dampening is necessary to prevent radar cable wire fractures from repetitive bending. We have not noticed a shadow issue from the mast and the pole is tall enough that I do not get hit in the back of the head by the beam. We rarely use the tilt mechanism. It would be useful on long offshore passages. We did not use it when we went around Vancouver Island. I suggest looking closely on how to best mount the radar antenna to enhance the short range accuracy vs long range accuracy. During my PNW radar use (I first started using radar in the mid 80’s) I found the accuracy most important in the ¼ to 5 mile range. It has been rare that the long range (20 to 48 miles) accuracy was important. If using radar for navigation during low visibility is new to you I recommend finding a radar training course that will give you some simulated images to analyze. I took a radar class when completing my merchant marine training (70’s technology) and used an early version of David Burch’s “Starpath” radar training software (mid 80’s tech). Back in the mid 90’s I was navigating our C&C 36 (motorsailing) through dense fog where the southern end of Rosario Strait meets the eastern end of the Straits of Juan de Fuca. I was crossing the Traffic Separation lanes headed for Port Townsend. I was tracking several commercial targets and several pleasure boats. I thought I had the multiple crossings figured out then started to get the sense I missed something. I stopped the engine to slow down and listen. In a minute or so the bow of a barge appeared ¼ mile ahead. I had incorrectly identified a tug-tow as just a tug. A close call that shook my confidence for a few hours. During Calypso’s trip around Vancouver Island we used the radar mostly north of Port McNeil (inside) and north of Tofino (outside). We also used it for the long passage from Barkley Sound to Haro Strait which was 90% in dense fog. As boat/ship traffic is light once past the north end of Johnstone Strait we mostly used the radar for confirming our navigation by confirming distance off a headland or identifying a navigation aid/buoy. The radar was very useful entering Winter Harbor on a dark and rainy night. BTW, august has been called Fogust up north. Martin DeYoung Calypso 1971 C&C 43 Seattle/Port Ludlow Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10 From: Shawn Wright<mailto:shawngwri...@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2020 1:49 PM To: Stus-List<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Subject: Stus-List Radar mounting options Hello all, During the rendezvous, there was a brief discussion about radar and mounting options. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences with radar, and which mounting location (mast, backstay, or on pole/arch aft of cockpit) you prefer, and why. Our 35 had a radome mounted on a pole just off centre from aft deck, supported by the pushpit rail. It had been removed when we bought her, and now with larger solar panels, I'm not sure this is a good location due to shading issues (although I might be able to resolve this with a re-designed arch, or push it far enough aft to prevent shading the panels. I've seen a few backstay mounts, but haven't looked closely at them. I imagine there will be some shading issues, but perhaps a bit less depending on how high the radome is mounted. Mast mounting seems fairly straightforward with the right bracket, and since I am planning to pull my mast soon for a re-wire and inspection, I will have a good opportunity to explore this option. My dock neighbour has his on a pole, and removes it for racing or when not needed, so this is one advantage of pole or backstay mounting - easy removal. I probably would leave it on for year round sailing, but would likely take it with us to our next boat unless the buyer specifically wants it. As far as brand, I went with a B&G Vulcan 9 package with wind, compass and DST, so this means I will need a Navico unit: 3G, 4G or Halo (Simrad, Lowrance or B&G). Although we've only had perhaps 5-6 days in the past two seasons where radar would have been useful, with a planned trip around Vancouver Island from June-August of 2021, we anticipate some foggy (or smoky) days in waters that will be a bit more challenging, and also new to us. Would love to hear your thoughts... Thanks -- Shawn Wright shawngwri...@gmail.com<mailto:shawngwri...@gmail.com> S/V Callisto, 1974 C&C 35 https://www.facebook.com/SVCallisto
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