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bob baldwin bob baldwin is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Sep 2006
Posts: 10
Default Mounting a radome

Bill Kearney wrote:
I am having a T-Top made for my boat on which I will install a
Raymarine radome. Is there any advantage to mounting it on "power mount"
(Seaview) as opposed to mounting it directly on the top, other than
gaining a few inches in height? The top will be canvas with a mounting
plate installed.


How much clearance is there? Enough to let you install/remove the canvas
without the radome interfering? The mounts generally let you get two
things: clearance and down tilt. Speak with your boat maker about how much
tilt is common on your model vessel. You don't want to have the radome's
plane of coverage being so low as to not clear the bow (not very likely but
something to consider). Also check what the total height would end up
being. No sense making the radome higher if it ends up being too low to
clear bridges. Again, not terribly likely but something to consider.

The seaview mounts also have options on mounting the light behind/above the
radome. A nice way to keep the arch from getting overly crowded while
keeping that nav light visible.

Bill,
The canvas on my new roof is "permanent", at least, till it's time to
replace it. The canvas is laced all the way around the aluminum
framework. I have a Stingray Hydrofoil attached to the outboard that
helps keep the bow down, and the top is 80" above the floor. The boat is
a small 19' center console. I think I'll make some kind of wedge to tilt
the rear of the dome up slightly so that it will be level while at my
normal cruise speed. Those holes under the dome almost require the
special screwdriver that came with the radar - it's a very close fit. I
had seen those power mounts advertised, and didn't know what they really
provided. The nav light idea is good too.
Thanks to you and everyone that responded with ideas.

bob baldwin
power cat tiburon
topsntowers t-top
raymarine 24" dome