Mast mount Radar location on cutter rig

[Eastward ho 24]

I’ve got a new boat w a cutter rig. The mast is down and I haven’t had the sails up...so I was wondering where to locate the radar dome on the mast above the staysail stay?

[Orion Jim]

This photo clearly shows where my radome is mounted. No issues at all. Does not interfere with the staysail.
The photo was taken in Bermuda last spring. Can't wait to get back this spring!

[Privilege]

If you end up mounting it on the spreaders, conventional wisdom says that you mount it on the starboard side. The reason being as that if the mast is going to partially obstruct the radars' view, then it's best to do so on the side where you have right of way.

[Moody46CC]

On my 46 Moody, I have a Y backstay so the radome is mounted on a shelf just below the split of the Y. Works fine.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by Eastward ho 24

I’ve got a new boat w a cutter rig. The mast is down and I haven’t had the sails up...so I was wondering where to locate the radar dome on the mast above the staysail stay?

Mine is inside the staysail triangle. I have cursed this setup when I wanted a nice flat staysail as the radar gets in the way, but it is actually at good way to go for a couple of reasons.

1) The radar plus mount is probably about 6kg, so better to have that weight lower rather than higher.

2) It give the best compromise between short and long range.

When all is said and done, being a cat, I don't really go to wind much anyhow, and when I do, the stay sail has never made even 0.5knt of a difference.

[witzgall]

My opinion: Many boats have the radar mounted too high on the mast. I assume the thinking is: The higher it is, the better the range. This is true, to a point in theory. The factor that is often ignored is the pendulum effect. The higher the dome, the more it moves when swinging, think spirited sailing. Keeping it lower than "optimal for range" helps keep the return image steady. For most boats, I think this means above the steaming light, below the 1st spreaders.

Chris

[Mike OReilly]

I went through the exact same question when mounting our radar. Initially I was was worried about it getting hung up on staysail. Folks here assured me it wouldn’t be a problem … and they were right.

Here’s a pic of our location. It’s within the staysail triangle, but has never caused any problem.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

We have a cutter rig also. Here is where ours is located. No issues so far in a couple of years.

[Jim Cate]

If this installation is on the 24 foot boat, I'd keep it fairly low to reduce the effects of weight aloft causing loss of righting moment. On a small boat, the effects are significant.

Jim

[Eastward ho 24]

Some nice pictures nice boats! It's gonna be on my de32 .... Now I know I'm gonna get some flac for this but here goes....I have a seawatch TV antenna the 19 inch disc one. It worked great on my little 24 I'd just lay it up on the coach roof. I want a more permanent option so I'm looking to put that up there. Now that I think of it I'll prob get the radar arch or a mast mount for the stern for the radar and put the seawatch up the mast.

[TreblePlink]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

If this installation is on the 24 foot boat, I'd keep it fairly low to reduce the effects of weight aloft causing loss of righting moment. On a small boat, the effects are significant.

Jim

On my 28 foot I face the same question. How low is "fairly low"?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by TreblePlink

On my 28 foot I face the same question. How low is "fairly low"?

REasonable question! I'd say high enough to not be a head knocker or to interfere with a spinnaker pole track, but no higher than that. But the actual spot will be idiosyncratic to the boat, so it's hard to generalize.

Or a separate mount, not on the mast...

Jim