Radar on a ketch's mizzenmast

[keko]

I have a Ketch in which I am planning to go from Melbourne Australia to Chile and thereabouts.
I'd like your advice on having a radar antenna on the mizzenmast.
I will be purchasing a Furuno 1715, 2.2kw, 24nm radar.

I will probably have the antenna at about 25 feet from the water line, unless recommended otherwise.
Now, I have read that there shouldn't be structural or other kinds of interference with the the antenna. Does anyone have or know of radar antennas on the mizzenmast? I can see that the main mast will be directly in front of it creating a blind spot. Is this really crucial when you are out there? Or the constant motion and drifting of the boat will compensate for this?

Do I need to have the antenna somewhere else?
For radar safety reasons I would have thought that the mizzenmast would be a better place since this mast is less likely to collapse under heavy strains.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Omatako]

Many, in fact I think most, ketches have the radar dome on the mizzen. It is common and there should be no impediment to it. In fact, given the area swept by a oversize genoa, the radar scanner is safer on the mizzen than on the main mast.

The mast being in front of it will have no effect.

[christyleigh]

Omatako covered it but I thought I'd add a picture. All Nauticats that I have seen mount it on the mizzen. I want to get a wind generator up there also one of these days. I didn't do the install but as you can see it's the gimbaled mount and works well. This is the closest view I have.

[Faster]

..And just as many sloops have radomes on stern posts as we do. There seems to be no significant interference by the rig itself.

[keko]

Thank you Omatako, Christyleigh and Faster for your input. I do appreciate it. Now I am confident in installing my radar unit on the mizzenmast.

I wish you all great sailing winds and fun.

Keko

[CapnBilll]

What is that radars wavelength? Objects smaller than the wavelength are invisible. Also you get some bending of the radars waves from the "edge" effect.

[keko]

I haven't bought the radar yet. I was going to buy the Furuno 1715, 7" Monochrome, 2.2 kw radar with radar antenna. However, after reading some more about radars I read that the this particular Furuno is for small boats. Also I read about other radars for 30 to 60 foot.
Now, my boat is a 45 foot ketch. Will this radar still be alright for my boat? or Do I need to buy something bigger such as the Furuno 1832, 24' dome, 36nm, 4kw.

I am located in Melbourne Australia, so I need to buy form the US since over here it will be a lot more expensive. I am on a tight budget, so any recommendations will be great help. However, I want something reliable that will help me to get through the pacific up to Chile.

Thank you for your response.

Keko.