As part of the required safety equipment for the Chicago Mac race I need to equip Reboot with a radar reflector. What works? What's cheap and works? etc.!
Roger
Reboot
#493
0 Kudo
Radar Reflectors
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 svzephyr44 |
Radar Reflectors |
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Posts: 113 06/05/07 08:52:49 |
Roger
REBOOT USA 60493 |
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do335 |
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Posts: 252 06/05/07 10:51:26 |
There was an article in Crusing World or Sail in the last year that compared different radar reflectors for effectiveness and cost. You might try searching
their past articles. I believe the larger Davis aluminum radar reflector is usually considered the best value for a radar reflector.
Steve 642-2f TESA
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davidirvine |
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Posts: 56 06/05/07 11:40:35 |
There is an interesting feature in this month's UK Practical Boat Owner magazine comparing radar reflectors. The main conclusion seems to be that the
conventional reflectors are all almost totally useless. The only product that worked well in the trial was the 'Sea Me' radar enhancer. It gave an
excellent result but it is expensive. The trial followed an accident when a yacht was lost with all hands when it was hit by a ferry. The Octahedral reflector
fitted to the yacht did not show up on any radar.
David 492 |
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svzephyr44 |
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Posts: 113 06/05/07 15:10:55 |
This seems to have been the case for years. The Sea-Me is about $1000 all in and requires 12 Volt power up the mast. All the rest have poor performance. In
addition, the local commerical captains tell me that their new radars can see sailboats - in fact they can see our racing buoys. Then of course there is the
question - do I just get an AIS receiver and a cheap reflector or spend 1,000 bucks on a radar reflector that would be irrelevant if I spent the $1,000 on an
AIS transceiver. Any thoughts, anyone?
Roger
REBOOT USA 60493 |
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do335 |
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Posts: 252 06/06/07 08:27:37 |
Here are some web articles on radar reflectors so you can judge for yourself.
http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Studies/radar_reflector_test.htm http://www.tri-lens.com/practical_sailor.txt http://www.ybw.com/pbo/pdfs/radar_reflectors.pdf http://www.sailgb.com/c/radar_reflectors/ http://www.oceannavigator.com/article.php?a=9952 http://www.oceannavigator.com/bsearch.php?keyword=Radar+Reflector+Performance&image.x=33&image.y=8 http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/2007/ouzo.cfm
Steve 642-2f TESA
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garrywillis |
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Posts: 276 06/06/07 11:22:29 Moderator |
Roger,
Most racers use the Davis Echomaster for a radar reflector. http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/list_marine.asp?grp=m21-4 It is lite, inexpensive, folds flat and does a reasonable job of reflecting radar beams according to the tests submitted in the previous response. Good luck in the race and let us know how you did.
Garry
"Breezn" #502 2-Cabin |
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svzephyr44 |
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Posts: 113 06/07/07 04:53:14 |
Thanks all, will let you know how we place. BTW, the Chi-Mac puts transponders on the boats, so you can track us starting on Bastille Day (July 14) at
www.chicagoyachtclub.com then follow the links to race tracking.
Roger
REBOOT USA 60493 |
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bob776 |
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Posts: 119 06/07/07 05:34:12 |
svzephyr44; I have the same unit Garry suggested and they (apparently) work. I've talked to ships when crossing the Gulf Stream and they acknowledge our
target. The only problem is with the single line attached to each end (most people run this up a flag halyard) they tend to spin in the breeze. They will wind
up tight, unwind and start over again. Here's a fix; hold the unit upright and drill a small hole in one of the horizontal surfaces. Next you need some
small line. The length should be about twice the distance from the flag halyard block to the outer mast stay. Now, when you hoist the unit, run a line from the
unit around the mast stay and back to the unit. Follow me? Youre just preventing the unit from spinning.
Bob 776 |
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pwinterfeld |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 107 06/07/07 15:41:14 |
What a great idea Bob - why didn't I think of that?? I followed your advice and finally the thing (Davis Reflector) has stopped dancing around. I coctacted
a tug that was crossing in front of me and they had not seen meon radar even with the reflector spinning away. So for the next long trip an AIS receiver will
be on board.
Peter C'est la Vie Hull #746 |
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svzephyr44 |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 113 06/08/07 03:26:25 |
Sounds like you don't want them to spin. I will give your idea a try. Thanks for the advice
Roger
REBOOT USA 60493 |
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nickwigen |
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Posts: 215 06/08/07 05:46:53 |
The reports I've seen say the Echomaster works best in what they call the "rain catcher" positon as this presents the best positions for a retroreflection of the radar signal. For that you want one of the pockets of the reflector to to face upward. This can be done with a small 3-point harness top and bottom. Nick Wigen Ursa Minor #178
Nick Wigen
Ursa Minor #178 FK, 3-Cabin Portland, Oregon |
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