Mounting Simrad Halo 20+

[gregariousford]

Hello, I'd appreciate any info on mounting a Simrad Halo 20+ to my 22' Cruiser. I'm reading that I need a "Forward‑leaning radar mount" I just want to be sure and not order the wrong one. If anyone wouldn't mind helping, I'd be grateful. Is that the mount I need? It's a 6" Forward mount and not exactly sure where on the roof I should mount it although I can guess. thank you for any help. (my first C Dory) and I don't want to mess it up Greg "Láska" 22'

 

[ssobol]

Most installations need a wedge. This makes the radar unit level to the water surface at the boat's normal cruising deck angle. The bow on most boats rises as speed increases (trim tabs can reduce this). If you plan on using the radar mostly at hull speed you'd want a different wedge angle than using it at high speeds. You can use a bubble protractor to see what your boat angle is at your cruising speed and load. Since the roof of the C-Dory has different slopes to it, you need to measure the angle at the mounting point of the radar base. If the roof slopes laterally at the place you plan to mount the radar you need to consider this angle as well.
The wedge can be just a wedge under the unit if you are mounting it right to the roof. If you want or need to you can get a pedestal mount that raises the unit up that has the wedge angle built into it. For radars, higher is usually better, but on a C-Dory unless you put a really tall mast for the radar, the 4-6 inches of a pedestal mount will not make much difference to the radar performance. It would only help get the radar unit above local obstructions.
Depending on the amount to tilt in the wedge, you might see that the radar unit is sitting front down when the boat is at rest. Usually the amount of tilt is not that noticeable.

 

[thataway]

The 6 deg. down angle is good. The vertical beam is 30 degrees so 15 up and 15 down. 6 degrees bow rise is very comon. I. have mounted radars on the front cener line above or just aft of the radio shelf on the cabin ceiling. This allows a good place to run the cable inside directy to the reciever. (A few radars are Wifi,so only power needs be run.). In this case the cable can be shortened or if easier justcoil the escess on the shelf. Run the cable to the starboard aong the top with other wires and then down the "A" pillar to your MFD. I have backed the radar mount with fender washers, or a plate of aumium or plastic to spread the load out.

The major consideration is what else you want to have on the roof--what antennas, and if a dinghy will go there, and how it wil work. I want to keep other antennas at least 3feet away from the radar dome. Although modern radars with solid state insdead of magnatrons are less of a problem.