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Old 05-09-2019, 17:06   #1
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How many hours to install a radar?

We’re thinking about buying a radar for our boat (currently we don’t have one). We are also debating whether to install it ourselves or have it installed.

How many hours could I reasonably expect a professional to take to install it, assuming the mast was unstepped? This would be to install and run the wiring, not including the time to unstep and step the mast.

Thanks.
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Old 05-09-2019, 17:28   #2
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

How long it will take to run all the cables is very difficult to estimate. Cable down mast, mast through cabin to chartplotter/radar display, power from panel to CP, nav instrument bus to CP cable. On some boats this can go pretty fast. On others there's lots of dismantling, tugging and cursing.

You could have a rigger mount the radar on the mast and run the cable down the mast, then do all the other work yourself if you want to save some.
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Old 05-09-2019, 18:28   #3
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

We did it in one day with a friend. Alas, he had a dedicated stern pole.


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Old 05-09-2019, 19:47   #4
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

If you are talking wires to the display, getting it working and the mast work, 3 days easy.
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Old 06-09-2019, 04:31   #5
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

Thanks, everyone. Frankly, looking at an installation manual online, it looks like something we certainly have the ability to do. Just weighing the time vs. money thing.

Thanks again.
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Old 06-09-2019, 04:42   #6
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

If you go with the Furuno wireless or Garmin counterpart, you only have to run a big 12v DC circuit to the antenna, and then receive the signal on an iPad at your nav station by wifi. I went this way after my Furuno 1715 died in hurricane Michael. I did have to give the antenna a clear shot at the iPad, but I am pleased with the results. The antenna is available for $850 today, and a refurbished iPad was about $100, so the total installation was right $1K, cheaper than alternatives as well.
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Old 06-09-2019, 09:21   #7
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

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Originally Posted by tkeithlu View Post
If you go with the Furuno wireless or Garmin counterpart, you only have to run a big 12v DC circuit to the antenna, and then receive the signal on an iPad at your nav station by wifi. I went this way after my Furuno 1715 died in hurricane Michael. I did have to give the antenna a clear shot at the iPad, but I am pleased with the results. The antenna is available for $850 today, and a refurbished iPad was about $100, so the total installation was right $1K, cheaper than alternatives as well.
Plus 1 for this , have gone this route as well , for the amount of times you need radar on this seems the way forward
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Old 06-09-2019, 09:26   #8
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

Depends on the radar and where you mount it. A main mast mount with a power and data cable could take you a while. I just recently installed a Furuno wireless on a separate radar mast aft. The antennae took about 15 minutes, as it just requires a 12vdc power supply. It mounts on a mounting plate on top of the radar mast. Easy run from the mast to the ckt breaker panel. The pedestal took half a day. I had the 8 ft. mast made out of 2 inch aluminum and had a welder attach the mounting plate for the antennae. Painted it. Bolted it to the deck with two supporting struts. The mast is easily removable because I found an idea online, where someone used a anchor chain stopper to mount the mast. Mount the stopper to the deck, then just remove the flapper and drill a hole in the mast for the pin. Pretty heavy duty. The Furuno has an app you download onto an Ipad. I have used it offshore overnight from Wilmington to Georgetown and it worked pretty good.
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Old 06-09-2019, 09:27   #9
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cthoops View Post
Thanks, everyone. Frankly, looking at an installation manual online, it looks like something we certainly have the ability to do. Just weighing the time vs. money thing.

Thanks again.



I have the Raymarine wifi radar. I already had power up the mast so it was just mount and go. Took a day. Also it only uses 1.4 amps in transmit mode so I can leave it on all night .
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Old 06-09-2019, 09:44   #10
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

Once the wire is run, it's very easy.
I've done it four times, each in one day including running cables.
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Old 06-09-2019, 10:07   #11
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

I installed a Garmin GMR 18 XHD solo with the mast down. If you want to save money and do the job right then study up on the installation instructions and take your time. Doing it your self in educational and you have knowledge that will be missing if you hire someone.

You will need some tools but in boating the tools are free. Good luck.
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Old 06-09-2019, 12:25   #12
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

I did mine in one afternoon on the backstay mounted pole. Very easy really.
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Old 06-09-2019, 12:47   #13
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?

Found that the planning for running wires was the biggest part of the job.
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