Denis M wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:41:09 -0700 (PDT), Roger Long
wrote:
I think, if you poke around in the archives of this group, you'll find
a post from me about a year ago pontificating about how I couldn't
justify the cost, weight, and power draw of radar cruising in Maine.
Yes. You thought I was quite foolish to have RADAR on my boat, and
couldn't understand why I thought it was good to have. G
In late June we sailed from Point Judith Pond to Wickford, RI without
being able to see more than 100 feet, and often less. Without RADAR,
we would have been stuck in Point Judith for several days. During the
entire 10 days of that trip, there was heavy fog, or fog/rain much of
the time. It did clear up while we were visiting Wickford and riding
our bikes around.
This is normal conditions for the first couple months of the season in
the Eastern LIS and Naragansett Bay areas. "Fair weather only"
sailors have a much shorter season than we do. We are often heading
out, as everyone else seems to be headed in.
Last summer from July to end of August I was cruising the coast of Nova
Scotia.
I was glad to have an all integrated system mounted in the cockpit.
My radar attitude as changed. I found that using the radar side by side with
the plotter and watching the depth was very helpful. Having the direction
of the tide and current showing on your plotter helps.
At time when its high tide you may not see rocks (ex Brazil Rock) on your
radar screen but you will on your plotter and by validating your position
with the depth give you a warmer feeling. I have found it very practical to
plot my routes on the plotter first.
Normally radar works well in all but very bad weather conditions.
Conversely in heavy seas and heavy fog I have experienced sea clutters. The
book shows you how to control sea clutters.
While in reality I was only able to degrease and minimize the clutters.
After checking with commercial fishermen and Coast Guard vessels I learned
that this is true.
After this summer cruise I concluded that I needed to replace my radar
reflector.
Other vessels can easily interpret a small blip as part of sea clutters.
While in reality it's a small sailboat with an inadequate radar reflector.
It is a well known fact to eastern Mexico cruisers that the
electronic charts are not to be trusted and MUST be backed up with
radar. These charts were made from 1800s surveys. I understand
Worldcharts are up to date having been made from a recent survey.
As to radar reflectors. Here is a site on making your own. Haven't
been tested, but should work better than any off the shelf cheapos.
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/...adar/index.htm
I made mine from 10" al flashing material. Mounted it on the mizzen
spreader.
Gordon