Chit Chat - Radar reflector position

Radar reflector position

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Category: General
Forum Name: Chit Chat
Forum Description: Talk about anything to do with your boat
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13133
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
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Topic: Radar reflector position

Posted By: G8WVW
Subject: Radar reflector position
Date Posted: 12 December 2021 at 10:28

Hanse thought it necessary to install our SIMRAD radar scanner unit on starboard side of the mast rather than the more usual forward face. Is something to do with clearances of the self-tacking genoa?

We need to install a radar reflector and wondering about a suitable position. We purchased a Echomax 230 ... which is a BIG unit and wonder if mounting on the forward face will catch the genoa on tacking. Anyone here have any good/bad experiences?

We're tending towards mounting the reflector on the starboard side above the radar scanner giving us a blind spot to port but wherever we install it, there will be a blind spot in one direction.

Any thoughts?

Cheers.

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Andrea & Ian
Aboard SV Gabrielle (H445 #164)
Portishead, SW England.

Replies:

Posted By: Ratbasher
Date Posted: 12 December 2021 at 13:58

Sorry to sound miserable - but I just would not bother with it; put your money into an active system instead and preferably also, an AIS transceiver. Having seen a variety of these things in both a professional maritime capacity and as a yottie, in real-world conditions they're not much more use than an ashtray on a motorbike.

The linked QinetiQ report, commissioned by the UK Maritime Accident Investigation Board as a result of the 'Ouzo' tragedy provides some useful data. Basically, if you really, really, insist on fitting one then its got to be fitted absolutely correctly and even then you must be aware of its limitations. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/547c705540f0b6024400008d/Radar_reflectors_report.pdf" rel="nofollow - Radar_reflectors_report.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) Putting it on the side of the mast is perhaps worse than useless as it might give you (or anyone else helming the boat) a false sense of security as well as a permanent blind spot. Think what what a MAIB inspector might make of that if, Lord forbid, there was an incident.

If you consider the effect you want to achieve - avoidance of collision - there's far better ways of doing that, especially if you're based in the Portishead area. I've used the 'Sea-Me' system in addition to my AIS but there are others out there. Power consumption is listed at 350mA when transmitting, 150mA otherwise.

Like anchors, I think this is one of those areas where relative cost just should not be a factor. Caveat Emptor, however.

All the best!

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H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK

Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 12 December 2021 at 20:56

Hi Ratbasher and understand all points raised above.

My background is RF engineering. We chose the Echomax 230 based on the QinetQ report as it appears to be amongst better passive reflectors and not huge investment.

Aboard Gabrielle, we do transmit AIS.

Our wish to place a radar reflector was a reaction to a survey two years ago that listed amongst 'immediate' actions, fitment of a radar reflector. Our boat had been fitted with a Sea-Me radar enhancer previously but ripped off by a previous owner in circumstances we don't quite understand. Suspect it involved the gennaker! The reflector is minimum effort to address surveyor's recommendations.

Cheers!

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Ian & Andrea
SV Gabrielle (H445)
Liveaboards - currently Montenegro.
www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Posted By: Black Diamond
Date Posted: 13 December 2021 at 12:52

I asked them specifically *NOT* to do that on our 575. Outside of the way it looks, it just moves a blind spot, and really does nothing significant radar wise. While they said it was for protection of the self tacking jib, I've not seen (on our Elvstrom HPM/EPEX sails) any contact while tacking.

Additionally, there are ways to protect the sail by putting a KATO ring or some other device around the radome. These have the added advantage of also making sure the halyard or sheet don't get hung up on the radome (which I have seen).

FWIW

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Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI