On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 09:50:07 -0500, DSK wrote:



Our radar has proven to be a really good tool for use in marginal visibility and for
tracking ship traffic. When we first bought the boat I was not convinced of it's
usefulness, especially not that particular set. But now it works great.


One last thing I forgot to mention: Here on Lake Ontario many summer
storms appear as "pop-up" cumulonimbus thunderheads, with 50-60 knot
line squalls that can lay you flat if you have, as most do most of the
time, a full hoist...

There's only 20-30 miles to the west end of the lake here (Toronto)
and squalls that develop at that end (south to west, usually) can get
here in minutes.

A properly tuned radar will show squall lines quite sharply. If its
blasting at you at 48 knots and you catch it on radar aft at 12 NM,
you can shorten sail in a timely fashion and ride out an otherwise
very unpleasant, possibly expensive and potentially dangerous 15
minute surfing session.

And of course, if you can see rain bands, you can sail between them,
if the wind and waves allow.

R.