Marc Heusser alid
wrote in :

I tried to find any specification throgh the local dealer, and he did
not even get an answer at Sea Ray in the States (neither yes nor no,
essentially along the lines of we do not supply it so we do not know):

I would like to have a 4'/22kg Radar antenna on a Sea Ray 315 Sundancer
Sport Spoiler, Molded Fiberglass (Seamless) w/Overhead Lighting.

Is this workable, as I do not seem to get an answer from SeaRay?
Or is there a lower weight limit so I would have to forego the
advantages of a big enough antenna?

TIA

Marc


Marc, let's take a look at reality on radar......

Radar cannot see further than the horizon.

The horizon depends on how far UP the antenna is mounted.

From your SR31, we're up just above the flybridge. How far can YOU see
with binoculars...6 miles? 5? Check it out.

If we had a 500KW military surface search radar on your arch, it could
"see" targets 6 miles away....maybe 8 or 9 if they are TALL targets like
lighthouses, radio towers, etc. So, what's the point?

You're not as tall as a containership, who can use a more powerful radar.
So, why waste money on HIS radar transceiver??

From up there, how about the 4KW radome? Loading on both the arch and
your electrical system are lots less, also your wallet. 4KW has no
trouble making a target at 8 miles. Ours is only 2KW on the sailboat,
but we don't have it high up because if you put the antenna up high you
CANNOT SEE THAT DAMNED BOUY YOU ARE ABOUT TO RUN OVER IN THE FOG because
the high antenna is shooting right over the top of it. Ours is up 35' on
the mizzenmast, probably higher than your arch. It can see the dock 3
slips away, plenty of return from that bouy in the fog.

I know the big swinging radar horn impresses the other sailors and looks
cool like you're an aircraft carrier....but why?....(c;

Besides, you're not going 400 knots like a jet. If you can see targets 2
miles away you have MINUTES to turn away...not seconds. That's far
enough for collision avoidance isn't it?

Larry
--
While in Mexico, I didn't have to press 1 for Spanish.
While in Iran, I didn't have to press 1 for Farsi, either.
While in Florida, I had to press 2 for English.
It just isn't fair.