JimC wrote:
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

P.S.

Radio Frequencies
VHF-FM Channel 05A
All vessels must first contact Houston Traffic on this frequency before
switching to
a working frequency.

VHF-FM Channel 11/12
Working frequencies for the Houston/Galveston VTS area include VHF-FM
Channels 11 and 12. Use Channel 11 at Baytown Bend (Light 109) and all
points
above. Use Channel 12 at all points below.

VTS users not maintaining a listening watch on the appropriate VTS
frequency
(VHF-FM Channel 11 or 12) are required to monitor VHF-FM Channel 16,
and
bridge-to-bridge frequency VHF-FM Channel 13.

If you listen to 11 / 12 in the proper areas you can broadcast an any
concerned traffic request in your area if you have any concerns, any
commerical traffic local to you will fill you in on traffic and
anything to look out for.

Joe

Joe wrote:

JimC wrote:

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


P.S.

Radio Frequencies
VHF-FM Channel 05A
All vessels must first contact Houston Traffic on this frequency before
switching to
a working frequency.

VHF-FM Channel 11/12
Working frequencies for the Houston/Galveston VTS area include VHF-FM
Channels 11 and 12. Use Channel 11 at Baytown Bend (Light 109) and all
points
above. Use Channel 12 at all points below.

VTS users not maintaining a listening watch on the appropriate VTS
frequency
(VHF-FM Channel 11 or 12) are required to monitor VHF-FM Channel 16,
and
bridge-to-bridge frequency VHF-FM Channel 13.

If you listen to 11 / 12 in the proper areas you can broadcast an any
concerned traffic request in your area if you have any concerns, any
commerical traffic local to you will fill you in on traffic and
anything to look out for.

Joe

Thanks for the information.

When I went down the channel several months ago there was lots of
traffic going both ways. - Perhaps 30-40. Doesn't monitoring all that
traffic that on VHF get a little tiresome?

I do have a depth finder and GPS chart reader with chip that shows
contour lines, depth, position, and shows the channel and the buoys.
This might do the job if I was in those parts of the channel in which I
could duck out beyond the buoys a few feet. With the daggerboard
partially down I draw around 3 feet.

Jim

JimC wrote:
Joe wrote:

JimC wrote:

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


P.S.

Radio Frequencies
VHF-FM Channel 05A
All vessels must first contact Houston Traffic on this frequency before
switching to
a working frequency.

VHF-FM Channel 11/12
Working frequencies for the Houston/Galveston VTS area include VHF-FM
Channels 11 and 12. Use Channel 11 at Baytown Bend (Light 109) and all
points
above. Use Channel 12 at all points below.

VTS users not maintaining a listening watch on the appropriate VTS
frequency
(VHF-FM Channel 11 or 12) are required to monitor VHF-FM Channel 16,
and
bridge-to-bridge frequency VHF-FM Channel 13.

If you listen to 11 / 12 in the proper areas you can broadcast an any
concerned traffic request in your area if you have any concerns, any
commerical traffic local to you will fill you in on traffic and
anything to look out for.

Joe

Thanks for the information.

When I went down the channel several months ago there was lots of
traffic going both ways. - Perhaps 30-40. Doesn't monitoring all that
traffic that on VHF get a little tiresome?

Not if you are worried about getting run over, actually I enjoy it.
The Ship channel handles and average of 50 ships and 400 barges a day.
In un-restricted visibilty you do not need to make passing agreement
with everyone, but in restricted conditions it a good habit. also an
excellent way to learn all the features and docks along the channel.


I do have a depth finder and GPS chart reader with chip that shows
contour lines, depth, position, and shows the channel and the buoys.
This might do the job if I was in those parts of the channel in which I
could duck out beyond the buoys a few feet. With the daggerboard
partially down I draw around 3 feet.

At 3 feet you not very restricted at all... and should be able to
shadow the channel it's full length.

Radars are cheap enough now that they are worth the investment

Jim

This might do the job if I was in those parts of the channel in which I
could duck out beyond the buoys a few feet. With the daggerboard
partially down I draw around 3 feet.



Joe wrote:
At 3 feet you not very restricted at all... and should be able to
shadow the channel it's full length.


Hmm, seems to me another poster said this too, and you
jumped all over him like Bubbles going after a cheeseburger!

Which is it, Joe? Can he avoid the commercial traffic part
of the channel, using his shallow draft, or can't he?

DSK

DSK wrote:
This might do the job if I was in those parts of the channel in which I
could duck out beyond the buoys a few feet. With the daggerboard
partially down I draw around 3 feet.



Joe wrote:
At 3 feet you not very restricted at all... and should be able to
shadow the channel it's full length.


Hmm, seems to me another poster said this too, and you
jumped all over him like Bubbles going after a cheeseburger!

He could, but it can be risky in spots. The question is why would you
want to if you can be aware of you are and whats around you.

Which is it, Joe? Can he avoid the commercial traffic part
of the channel, using his shallow draft, or can't he?

Not all together, several intersections and channels he will have to
cross, from here to the gulf you have the Texas city channel, Pelican
island cut, ICW, Galveston and Boliver channels he would have to cross.
Plus in the jetties it's best to stay on the deeper water to avoid
rollers.

Joe

DSK

Joe wrote:

DSK wrote:


He could, but it can be risky in spots. The question is why would you
want to if you can be aware of you are and whats around you.

Which is it, Joe? Can he avoid the commercial traffic part
of the channel, using his shallow draft, or can't he?


Not all together, several intersections and channels he will have to
cross, from here to the gulf you have the Texas city channel, Pelican
island cut, ICW, Galveston and Boliver channels he would have to cross.
Plus in the jetties it's best to stay on the deeper water to avoid
rollers.

Joe

DSK


I would feel more confident skirting the channel in poor visability if I
was on the leeward side of the channel. On the windward side, I would
have to watch the chartreader screen and buoys pretty carefully.

Jim

JimC wrote:
Joe wrote:

DSK wrote:


He could, but it can be risky in spots. The question is why would you
want to if you can be aware of you are and whats around you.

Which is it, Joe? Can he avoid the commercial traffic part
of the channel, using his shallow draft, or can't he?


Not all together, several intersections and channels he will have to
cross, from here to the gulf you have the Texas city channel, Pelican
island cut, ICW, Galveston and Boliver channels he would have to cross.
Plus in the jetties it's best to stay on the deeper water to avoid
rollers.

Joe

DSK


I would feel more confident skirting the channel in poor visability if I
was on the leeward side of the channel. On the windward side, I would
have to watch the chartreader screen and buoys pretty carefully.

Jim

What bothers me about that is all the bars that build and the roller
wakes the ship throw, many people surf the wakes. Plus nothing worse
than being aground just outta the channel, If you head straight out of
Kemah towards Trinity bay has some of the best surfing in the state on
the eastern side of the channel, that and just north of Morgans point,
around RedFish, and Pelican Isaland has so shallows with rolling wakes.
Not sure if you want to be hit on your mac with a 13 Kt roller.

Best to keep out of the channel area in Fog without Radar, and working
with traffic. I'll never do it again...I swear! With a radar, and
working with traffic control it's a breeze.

Did you read my story in Sail Magazine "Fetching RedCloud" ?

Joe

Joe wrote:
He could, but it can be risky in spots. The question is why would you
want to if you can be aware of you are and whats around you.


You can be aware of where you are & what's around you
without radar. And I consider it desirable to use seamanship
instead of relying on an electronic toy.

All that said, radar can be a very handy tool.

DSK

"DSK" wrote in
| All that said, radar can be a very handy tool.


Yeah, for a traffic cop....

Cheers,
Ellen

It's just amazing what a bitter jealous dude Sloco is. The M26 can
certainly carry and extra battery with no problem!

You ass, your just as dumb as Mr. Charles. I could care less how many
batteries a 26 foot boat CAN carry. My point was why. What 26 foot
boat bopping around a bay needs 3 big heavy batteries and a friking
radar dome half way up it's 30' mast. As always your mouth is ahead of
your little brain.