If your radar is in working order, you're required to monitor it. I think
it's a bit over-kill for that size of a boat. The mount wouldn't be at the
top, but at the spreaders. I would also be concerned about the weight of the
dome, given the light rig you have. I don't like the idea of a dome sitting
10 feet from my head either.

It isn't necessary for offshore by any means. It's a big battery drain also.
I think you'd be better served by good charts, a good gps, good
watch-keeping, and cautious behavior.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"JimC" wrote in message
news

I'm considering installing a short-range radar on my 26M, and I would
appreciate recommendations or comments. For example, when traveling down
the Houston-Galveston ship channel, it would be helpful to be able to see
traffic going up and down the channel in the event of fog or rain that
obstructed visibility. Also, it would be helpful to be able to see oil
platforms, traffic, etc., offshore in poor weather conditions or at night.
Joe, is this a concern for you when you go down the channel?

Do most sailors consider this a necessity for offshore sailing, and if so,
what types do you recommend? Did you mount the radome on top of mast, or
on an aft-mounted radar mast?

Jim

Capt. JG wrote:
If your radar is in working order, you're required to monitor it.

This is not really true. On most small boats the display is removed
and only mounted when needed. I don't believe you're required to set
it up all the time, and if its not mounted it is not "fitted and
operational." On the other hand, if you had it and the humidity was
high enough to make fog a possibility, it would be rather reckless to
not set it up.

This falls under the category of "if you didn't use it to avoid a
collision, you'd have some explaining to do."

I think
it's a bit over-kill for that size of a boat. The mount wouldn't be at the
top, but at the spreaders. I would also be concerned about the weight of the
dome, given the light rig you have. I don't like the idea of a dome sitting
10 feet from my head either.

I'd think twice about mounting it, but Jim leaves the mast up all
season, I think. As for the distance, if it isn't used much it isn't
a problem. There's certainly a lot of powerboats that have them
mounted a few feet over the helm.


It isn't necessary for offshore by any means. It's a big battery drain also.
I think you'd be better served by good charts, a good gps, good
watch-keeping, and cautious behavior.

I'd agree, but I doubt the battery drain issue is that big.

In article ,
Jeff wrote:
Capt. JG wrote:
If your radar is in working order, you're required to monitor it.

This is not really true. On most small boats the display is removed
and only mounted when needed. I don't believe you're required to set
it up all the time, and if its not mounted it is not "fitted and
operational." On the other hand, if you had it and the humidity was
high enough to make fog a possibility, it would be rather reckless to
not set it up.

Well, if it's not set up, then it's not in working order; therefore,
you don't have to (or can) monitor it. Did I miss something?

I'd think twice about mounting it, but Jim leaves the mast up all
season, I think. As for the distance, if it isn't used much it isn't
a problem. There's certainly a lot of powerboats that have them
mounted a few feet over the helm.

My point, of course... :-)

It isn't necessary for offshore by any means. It's a big battery drain also.
I think you'd be better served by good charts, a good gps, good
watch-keeping, and cautious behavior.

I'd agree, but I doubt the battery drain issue is that big.

For a Mac26? Well, maybe not. :-)
--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com

Jonathan Ganz wrote:
In article ,
Jeff wrote:
Capt. JG wrote:
If your radar is in working order, you're required to monitor it.
This is not really true. On most small boats the display is removed
and only mounted when needed. I don't believe you're required to set
it up all the time, and if its not mounted it is not "fitted and
operational." On the other hand, if you had it and the humidity was
high enough to make fog a possibility, it would be rather reckless to
not set it up.

Well, if it's not set up, then it's not in working order; therefore,
you don't have to (or can) monitor it. Did I miss something?

The point is that some people interpret the ColRegs as meaning you
have to run the radar all the time - this is not true on a small boat.
Also, there is no expectation that the formal plotting is done by
someone singlehanding.



I'd think twice about mounting it, but Jim leaves the mast up all
season, I think. As for the distance, if it isn't used much it isn't
a problem. There's certainly a lot of powerboats that have them
mounted a few feet over the helm.

My point, of course... :-)

Yes, I knew that would draw a comment!


It isn't necessary for offshore by any means. It's a big battery drain also.
I think you'd be better served by good charts, a good gps, good
watch-keeping, and cautious behavior.
I'd agree, but I doubt the battery drain issue is that big.

For a Mac26? Well, maybe not. :-)

My screen is 10 Watts, the dome on standby is 9 Watts, 28 on transmit.
So its about 3 Amps if run full time. Even a minimal battery should
be able to keep it going for 10 hours, and even the small alternator
on the engine is more than enough to cover it.

In article ,
Jeff wrote:
The point is that some people interpret the ColRegs as meaning you
have to run the radar all the time - this is not true on a small boat.
Also, there is no expectation that the formal plotting is done by
someone singlehanding.

Ah... I figured that's what you figured... yo'ure right of course.

I'd think twice about mounting it, but Jim leaves the mast up all
season, I think. As for the distance, if it isn't used much it isn't
a problem. There's certainly a lot of powerboats that have them
mounted a few feet over the helm.

My point, of course... :-)

Yes, I knew that would draw a comment!

:-)

--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com