[night0wl]

So as I'm fitting out our new boat, the most hotly debated question so far has been where to mount the radar. Wasn't expecting that one, as I've always thought it was six in one, half a dozen in the other. But I'm told its very different in terms of range and clarity. So Sailnet, help me decide. Below, I've mentioned pros/cons of each approach. What does your boat have that works best for your and why.

Radar I have: Raymarine RD218 2kw Radome


Mast Mount

1. PRO: Better range
2. PRO: Less cluttered cockpit
3. CON: Need more cable extension - provided 15 meter wont be enough, so minimum of 5 meter additionally needed
4. CON: Will need to buy a mast mount and climb up on bosun chair to install
5. CON: Will often catch on 140% Genoa when tacking

Stern Mount

1. PRO: Will be able to mount wind generator on stern pole above radome
2. PRO: No interference on tacks at all
3. PRO: Less cable needed to wire it, provided 15 meter should be plenty
4. CON: Less range than mast mount
5. CON: Cluttered stern, will throw balance with that much weight 10' high up
6. CON: Will need to buy stern pole mount or have one fabricated by stainless steel guy

 

[night0wl]

Buying more cable and having to climb the mast are not really valid reasons to be against placing it up there, it is a one time job. You have to buy some sort of mount either way.

I'd have to buy a stern pole anyway for my wind generator (looking at a KISS right now, wife is from Trinidad and will bring it back for me). But I generally disagree with that statement above.

The Radome cost me less than $900 new from West Marine on sale. With a mast mount, you're talking about a mounting bracket/contraption ($300) and an extra length of cable from Raymarine ($200 again). Then going up the mast is a rare treat - fraught with risk of its own. It may be one time costs, but then an extra 50% in parts is a tough pill...not to mention the difficulty in diagnosing something when it goes wrong. The stern pole would be much easier to issue diagnose/repair too.

 

[night0wl]

Does anyone with a stern pole mount have a wind generator attached to it as well? Care to share the pictures of the installation??!

After a standard gasoline generator (Honda EU2000), I'm planning on fitting out with a Kiss wind generator on the pole as well, followed by two 80 Watt Kyoceras on top of the bimini.

 

[night0wl]

Can anyone speak to the range aspect a bit more? How much more range (both on normal and full power) can you get out of the 2kw radome when it is mounted on the mast?

 

[night0wl]

0wl,

Not to complicate things too much, but there is a third, less popular, option and that is to mount it on your backstay. AN EXAMPLE

I thought about this, but two things on my boat. Beyond the price (the scanstrut is $1400!!!), I the following worry me:

1) I have a split backstay, which may not have the wire diameter (therefore strength) to hold up the mount back there.

2) Like my feedback on mast mount, I'd like a multi-function installation that can support the radar for one, but also the wind gen. Unless someone is aware of backstay mounting brackets for wind-gens too!!!

 

[night0wl]

I'm going to add a CON on the stern mount of "radiation damage while traversing on the coachroof area. Since the coachroof is 2-4 feet higher than the cockpit and walking around puts you at the same LOS as the radome, it is conceivable to me that damage is possible while underway.

 

[night0wl]

Mine is on one of my split backstays. Nothing is cluttered and there is no problem accessing it or the wiring if needed. Not the cheapest solution but it sure is out of the way.

$1400 for those self leveling backstay mounts...ouch! Thats labor + materials for mast mount...with room to spare. And much more to spare for a stern mount pole. Yowza