Radar Reflector

B

bridma

New member
Looking through some of the albums, I hardly see any radar reflectors on the roof. What happens when the Coastguard pulls you over? Are they happy so long as you can produce one?

Martin.
 
Martin, by law you only need a radar reflector "if it is practical to do so" or something along those lines. I bought long plastic zap straps, so I strap mine to the radar arch only when necessary and cut it off when not necessary. see my pics.

Stefan
 
Looks like you only need one if you are documented commercial. Which none of us are.


Radar Reflectors

46 CFR 28.235
Applies to: All documented commercial fishing vessels that have a nonmetallic hull and operate beyond the Boundary Line or with more than 16 POB.
Requirements

Radar Reflector:

Note: A vessel rigged with gear that provides a radar signature at 6NM distance is not required to have a radar reflector.
 
That was in the Us. Forgot you are Canadian.
Radar Reflectors
A passive radar reflector can help a radar-equipped vessel detect your vessel. Vessels less than 20 metres long or built mostly from non-metal materials must have a radar reflector mounted above the superstructure, when possible not less than 4 metres above the water. The reflector must be able to perform under the range of foreseeable environmental conditions.

The radar reflector requirement does not apply if your vessel is very small or if it operates only:

in limited traffic during daylight hours when the visibility is good; or
where no vessels use radar.
Refer to Ship Safety Bulletin 07/2008: The Importance of Properly Fitting an Effective Radar Reflector on Small or Non-Metallic Vessels for more information on the need to carefully select and install radar reflectors.

Remember: Having a radar reflector simply helps you be seen. You still have to keep a proper lookout for other vessels.
Click to expand...

Its more of a guide line then a rule. sound like something captian jack sparrow would say. And what is very small?
 
The actual rule comes from SOLAS. Here it is:

provisions of chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as amended, and chapter 13 of the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code), in force, require, if practicable, fitting of a radar reflector to all ships and craft under 150 gross tonnage to enable detection by radar.

As far as I know it is a requirement in Canada but in the US it is "If practicable". We usually have our reflector mounted on the radar arch. I am looking or a better location.
 
Thanks for the prompt replies guys. When I took my Pleasure Craft Operators Card course (Canadian), I'm sure I read boats over 20ft need to carry and display a radar reflector. I can't check my book right now 'cause it's on the boat. I guess it is not a requirement in the U.S.

Martin.
 
Thanks Stefan, that clears that up. Looks like it is the same as the U.S. , optional. At least I should not get a ticket if I don't display it.
If you look in my album 'Launch Day', you will see pics of my reflector. The Admiral says it looks ugly, but I didn't think so.

Martin.
 
We have had radar reflectors on many of our vessels--including folding ones on most of the C Dories. The Davis cheapies work pretty well. There are some good reasons to only put them up when there is fog or limited visibility. I have never been stopped in Canada and asked for a Radar Reflector.
 
I never really thought about the need for a radar reflector on our boats. But maybe I should reconsider when out on the Great Lakes. Anyone have some clear photos of how they have installed them on their boats and what brand/model they've used? Colby
 
Davis Echo Master does very well in tests and will fold down for storage easily. I just tied ours to the VHF antenna for a temporary use. Ideally it should be in the 'Rain Catch" position. If you had to have it that way, I would make a mount which would fit into the anchor light socket (not too long a pole so you don't stress the lower bracket. Using it on or under a high radar arch is the best permant mount.
 
I have radar, but just mounted on the roof. I have installed a new mast light aft of my radar antenna. However, I still have the original mount forward. If anyone else has made some kind of a mount to temporarily install the radar reflector there, I'd be interested in seeing photos. Otherwise, would I be able to just plug in the original mast light and hang it off of that? Colby
 
Here's what I did:

New_LED_Anchor_Light_Radar_Reflector_Assembly.jpg

Pieces (LED anchor light, Tri-lens radar reflector, assorted pipes & mounting clamp) acquired separately. Assembled after a visit to local welder.
 
I've had reflectors aboard other boats to hoist in bad visibility but not on the c dory. With our flat hull sides and house panels, I wonder what kind of blip we show? Hey a Friday Harbour afternoon activity! Turn on some scanners and let's go bop around. :lol:
 
Fiberglass is a very poor reflector of traditional radar frequency waves. When you are at sea off the coast of Mexico, there are Pangas which are the size of a c Dory25 (no cabin house) and what you are picking up on older radars is the outboard motor block.

I do not have experience with radars such as the Navico Broadband 4G which may show up some of the parts on a C Dory better.

A radar reflector increases the return of a fiberglass boat.
 
IMG_0073.jpg

This is a Davis Echo Master about 45 dollars from Defender.com when I bought it. mounts to top rail easily removed for trailing. I leave the mount on all the time. The mount is black plastic which u bolts to the roof rail. It has a post and the radar reflector just slides down on the post and a spring and a clip hold it in place. To remove we just remove the nut and bolt where the post sits into the mount and remove the reflector and post from the mount. We have tested and they do improve seeing our boat as a larger radar target.
D.D.
 
D.D.
I have a air conditioner like yours and was wondering how much the metal in it help's reflect the radar waves ?

Bill Kelleher


Will-C":xxg1751q said:
IMG_0073.jpg

This is a Davis Echo Master about 45 dollars from Defender.com when I bought it. mounts to top rail easily removed for trailing. I leave the mount on all the time. The mount is black plastic which u bolts to the roof rail. It has a post and the radar reflector just slides down on the post and a spring and a clip hold it in place. To remove we just remove the nut and bolt where the post sits into the mount and remove the reflector and post from the mount. We have tested and they do improve seeing our boat as a larger radar target.
D.D.
Click to expand...
 
Wouldn't an operating radar on your boat make you a pretty good target? Perhaps the radar antenna and motor might make a reasonable target even if it is not operating?
 
I don't really know the answer to that. But I have always had the air conditioner and by putting up the radar reflector our target improved with it. I now have fabricated a mount on the radar arch for our grill to get it up and out of the way. I have no idea if that improves our target image with the grill up there. After being in the fog a few times I decided for 45 dollars that I would be all in on having a better chance of being seen in fog by the likes of Captain Joe Hazelwood and his brother Captain Runaground. The ferries worry me the worst. About ten years ago I had a 24' Grady White. My father inlaw and I where out fishing in the ocean we had left the inlet at day break. It was clear as a bell. Then the fog rolled in. We decided to idle towards Avalon shoal and anchor up using our Loran. We were about six miles off the Jersey coast. As we were idling along (we did not have radar) some large vessel sounded his loud scarey sounding horn. I was headed south so I made a quick 90 degree turn to the east and gunned it for about 30 or 40 seconds. Then I went to neutral and listened; he blew again I just stayed with the 90 degree course and ran for about another 30 seconds WFO. Then back to neutral, we listened, he did not blow any more but we could heard his engine(s). We never saw what it was. That was close to ten years ago. I wanted radar every since that day. If I can be seen sooner or better I'm all in.
D.D.
 
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