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Old 10-02-2019, 20:13   #1
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Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I am in the process of installing a radar to my Catalina 320. Radar is a Raymarine Quantum and the mount is a Scanstrut Sc20 mast mount.

There is also a Scanstrut Sc27 Radar Guard for this mount but it almost doubles the price. I am wondering if it is worth it.

I am using a 90% jib and the radar will be above the steaming light, above the first spreaders.

What is your experience with radar guards? Should I invest in it or just skip and use the money for something else?
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Old 10-02-2019, 20:39   #2
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I Don’t know.

Depends how aggressively you sail. I enjoy sailing my boat hard. I think it’s fun to have the boat over on its ear going to windward. I enjoy it and probably wait a bit to long before I furl a sail.

Last season. It was a bit windy. When I came about the sail ripped my mast light right of the mast and over the side. My sail is a 130.
New Aqua signal Masthead and fore deck flood. Hundred bucks ish can’t remember.

New scanner might cost a bit more.

My scanner is on a pole at the stern. Works just fine but radar horizon is less.

I guess the question is what do you think the chance of damaging your scanner is?
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Old 10-02-2019, 21:49   #3
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I think it might be money well spent. I have an old Edson mount with the guard, although since I have a cutter only the staysail ever touches it while tacking. With the large headsail on a sloop it would play a more important roll.
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Old 10-02-2019, 22:03   #4
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

You might consider marking your headsail(s) where they cross the radar (and where they rub on the spreaders) and have a sailmaker sew a small chafe patch on the sail.
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Old 10-02-2019, 23:16   #5
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I custom made a radar guard out of 3/8 inch SS rod and added three hooks on each side as line organizers. The ends of the hooks are rolled into loops to prevent snagging. The rod is much lighter than the usual one inch tube that the professional radar guards are made of and it is plenty strong. The hooks hold halyards, pole lift, and detachable inner forestay from slapping on the mast - helps me sleep and protects the paint.
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Old 10-02-2019, 23:29   #6
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I have the Quantum 2 with ScanStrut mounts - identical virtually to yours.

I was also aghast at the price but wanted to protect the investment and if the sails are flailing for any reason, it does protect the radar. I was a bit disappointed I had to cut my radar guard to make it fit as it was touching the mast.

Seems good so far. I would spend the cash.
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Old 10-02-2019, 23:58   #7
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

We've had mast mounted radars for three decades (but without the pivoting mount) and had zero problems with the setup. We've run up to 150% genoas, too. With your non overlapping 90% I don't believe you will ever have any issues. Save your money, and if later it looks doubtful in practice, buy or make a guard.

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Old 11-02-2019, 07:38   #8
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAl.NZ View Post
I have the Quantum 2 with ScanStrut mounts - identical virtually to yours.

I was also aghast at the price but wanted to protect the investment and if the sails are flailing for any reason, it does protect the radar. I was a bit disappointed I had to cut my radar guard to make it fit as it was touching the mast.

Seems good so far. I would spend the cash.
Thanks BigAl. Can you elaborate on cutting the radar guard?
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Old 11-02-2019, 08:02   #9
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I don’t have a guard on my radome and have never had a problem. Have considered one but more out of concern for a halyard or other line getting wrapped on it.

But. With a cutter rig with high cut 110 yankee it barely ever brushes the radome.
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Old 11-02-2019, 08:41   #10
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I have the Scanstrut pivoting mount on a Furuno radome behind a Yankee jib. I mounted the radome to avoid this issue, but if I did slap the radome, I feel the pivoting aspect would shed the material or the line pretty easily. Were it fixed and level, I could see more problems.
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Old 11-02-2019, 08:44   #11
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

We have the same make/model boat as OrionJim with a cutter rig. We have no guard on our radome. I go over the sails each fall to see if any need attention over the winter, and have yet to see any chafe where the staysail goes past the radome.

Some other rigs and sails may be more prone to chafe, but we haven't seen it after 6 long summers of liveaboard sailing.

Good luck. Spring before you know it.

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Old 11-02-2019, 09:09   #12
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I think a radar mast on the stern is worth the money and hassle to design it properly for that very reason. With the radar mounted on the [main] mast, the wear and tear caused by the jib when taking is unavoidable.
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Old 11-02-2019, 10:30   #13
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

My radar is high enough that the 135° genoa doesn’t come anywhere near it. Not an issue.
Which reminds, me, there is a bit of spreader-tip damage to repair, one of these snowy days...
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Old 11-02-2019, 10:59   #14
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

My mast has a gimballed radar mount with guard. It was very expensive but I think it has saved my radome from being damaged a few times
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Old 11-02-2019, 12:39   #15
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Re: Is a "Radar Guard" worth it?

I note that in the above responses, those with guards worry about damage, while those without guards have not suffered damage. Interesting...

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