Radar reflector position

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   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.

Edited by G8WVW - 12 December 2021 at 10:29

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G8WVW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 09 August 2019 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 160	Post Options Post Reply Quote G8WVW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Radar reflector position 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. Edited by G8WVW - 12 December 2021 at 10:29
	Andrea & Ian Aboard SV Gabrielle (H445 #164) Portishead, SW England.

Ratbasher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 31 May 2017 Location: Cyprus Status: Offline Points: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ratbasher Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply 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. 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!
	H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK

Ian Coverdale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 19 June 2019 Location: Travelling Status: Offline Points: 311	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Coverdale Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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!
	Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply 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
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI



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