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.