Radar Installation

[johndwiggin]

I am installing a Garmin GMR20 radar on a Kato mount on the mast of an IP380.

I would appreciate any helpful hints anyone has who has done a similar installation.

I understand from talking to an IP dealer that if I drill a hole for the cable directly on the centerline of the front of the mast that I should be able to acccess the cable conduit attached here.

I would appreciate any advice on how high to mount the radar - in particular the best height to minimize intereference with the staysail coming through on a tack change.

Thanks

[jcam]

John,

My radar is on a pole at the stern about 10 feet up, so I can't be much help on your installation, but the higher you go, the greater the "dead zone" on the high side when the boat heals unless it is a self leveling mount. Also beyond about 8 miles out mostly you will see very big (tall) ships (not sailing "tall ships") beyond the horizon and airplanes because of the earth curvature; and the "dead space" immediately in front of the boat also extends further out.

If you are doing off shore work, obviously you want the longer distance, but for coastal cruising, I like the close in visibility.

Jim Campbell
IP 32 South Wind

[antares]

I have the same boat (IP380-89) and I bought a Kato radar mast mount. I also antagonized over this same question for a long time. I looked at IP380 photos and read everything I could find on the subject. In the end I opted for the solution sent to me by 'Island Yachting Centre' in Palmetto Florida - see below.

"The radar goes under the spreaders where the steaming light is. You actually use the hole of the steaming light to pull the radar cable up the mast and then put the steaming light under the radar."

Good luck

Joe