[C320-list] RADAR Cut the Cord and When Reinstalled a Greater Burden

[Robert E. Sloat]

Brian-The little radar secret that few know about is in International and US 
Inland Rules 7(b) and 7(c) and 19(d) which increases your burden when 
operating it especially in restricted visibility conditions. This was a 
subject of much discussion in the US Coast Guard Captain's course I took a 
few years ago.

Radar is a great tool for increased safety and I am considering installing 
it for my Lake Michigan sailing.  Under the Rules when radar is used you 
have a burden to use it properly and should not make decisions based on 
scanty radar information.  In restricted visibility conditions if you must 
take action when a close-quarters situation is developing or risk of 
collision exists certain course alterations should be avoided - Rule 19 (d) 
(i) and (ii).  The other vessel may not have radar and might not see or hear 
you so the Rules place a little more responsibility on the radar user.

When underway as a licensed captain there is a little more of a burden on me 
dealing with those boaters who are not following the rules, creating 
close-quarters situations or a risk of collision.  Also if the Coasties pull 
me over even a routine check and there is a technical violation such as out 
dated flares or not enough life jackets and I am operating as a captain, I 
might get more than a warning from them.

I have also heard as Jeff said that digital open array antennas are a big 
improvement in this area.

Bob Sloat
Savannah Hull 894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Church" <jjemail at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] RADAR Cut the Cord?


Brian,

If you have a G-series or E-series RayMarine chart plotter you might want to 
sell the radome now and purchase a digital radome when you are ready. 
Digital open array radar antennas are available now at an additional cost of 
about $800. Digital radomes should be available later this year and I would 
expect that the price should settle by the time you are ready to purchase. 
I've heard that the performance difference is significant.

JeffC
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Amirault Family - S&B
  To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
  Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 3:46 PM
  Subject: [C320-list] RADAR Cut the Cord?


  Bear has a RADAR mast resting on the starboard seat of the swim platform. 
I
  am sure than in some situations this is a valuable addition to the boat; 
but
  in the restricted river waters in which I sail and the conditions in which 
I
  am currently willing to venture forth, I have no need of it and it is in 
the
  way. At retirement in four years I expect to be moving to the Great Lakes
  and would really benefit from the RADAR at that time.



  I would like to remove and store the RADAR dome and mast for the next four
  years. The easiest way to do this would be to cut the cable coming from 
the
  mast and going through the transom. I would then like to install mating
  plugs at each end of the cut wire which would allow me to install and
  reconnect the RADAR at any future time without having to route cable into
  the binnacle again.



  Is this reasonable, or like a  speed/depth transducer cable, are you not
  supposed to cut/shorten it?



  Ready to launch on May 10;



  Brian Amirault

  797 Waltzing Bear, too