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05-09-2019, 17:06
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Wherever the boat is.
Boat: Bristol 29.9
Posts: 625
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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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05-09-2019, 17:28
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bellingham
Boat: Outbound 44
Posts: 9,319
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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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05-09-2019, 18:28
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
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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.
b.
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05-09-2019, 19:47
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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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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06-09-2019, 04:31
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Wherever the boat is.
Boat: Bristol 29.9
Posts: 625
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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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06-09-2019, 04:42
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Carrabelle, Florida
Boat: Fiberglas shattering 44' steel trawler
Posts: 6,083
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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.
__________________
Never let anything mechanical know that you are in a hurry.
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06-09-2019, 09:21
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Scotland
Boat: 42ft Moody Ketch
Posts: 643
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkeithlu
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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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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06-09-2019, 09:26
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Columbia, SC
Boat: Sea Ray 270
Posts: 100
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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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06-09-2019, 09:27
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: So Cal
Boat: Beneteau 38 Nordlund 72, Marquess 55, Jenneau 49
Posts: 541
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Re: How many hours to install a radar?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cthoops
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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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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06-09-2019, 09:44
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#10
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,061
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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.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
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06-09-2019, 10:07
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Rhode Island
Boat: Pearson 303
Posts: 38
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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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06-09-2019, 12:25
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Newfoundland
Boat: Beneteau
Posts: 671
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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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06-09-2019, 12:47
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Newfoundland
Boat: Beneteau
Posts: 671
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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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