On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 09:07:50 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter"
wrote:

Hi,

Thinking of getting radar for Far Cove, mainly for this planned trip to WCVI,
which has lots of fog.

Now, I've survived 20+ years of sailing Georgia Strait, etc. without radar.
If it's really foggy, I just stay put. If I venture out, I use several nav aids
including GPS to determine my position, blow my horn and listen.

I'm thinking that, even WITH radar, I wouldn't venture out in unfamiliar
waters in dense fog. And if I was out and the fog rolled in on me, I would think
that GPS, sounder and a good chart would be better to find that anchorage than
radar, assuming I could see at least 100 ft or so.

Under ideal conditions, you are correct. The benefit of radar,
however, is that you can see what you can't hear, i.e. other shipping
that has no intention of letting a little fog screw with the
schedule...

Also, to a lesser extent, you become visible to other shipping in a
way that a horn can't: precisely.

Finally, you can use a radar to get bearings on shore objects at night
if the GPS conks out and it's too cloudy to use celestial...which I
notice you didn't mention...G

I would say radar, sensibly used, complements but doesn't replace
paper, GPS, depth sounders, horns and good old seamanship. While it is
possible to get swamped with "too much information", particularly if
it doesn't agree, too little information is often what proves fatal to
the boat.

Comments?

Also, if I mount the radome on a post at the stern like most seem to, doesn't
the mast and sail interfere with it looking forward?

Yes, but barely, or at least not as much as you'd think. You can
offset the radome on a pole and gimbal off a stern quarter if you
wish, and then the "blind spot" would be 10 deg. port or starboard
looking forward.

I agree, a gimbal mount at the cross-trees is probably ideal, however,
but it's easier to get at stuff on a pole. Probably the nicest option
is an arch with the radar offset and a way to lash the boom, hang
bimini canvas, affix a GPS, VHF, etc., and yet keep all within easy
reach.

R.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36