Radar

When planning the trip to Lofoten and after getting stuck in the fog on some occasions, the need for a radar became more pronounced.

The placement of the radar dome was decided after discussions on the Norwegian Bavaria Club's forum and the following items were emphasised:

  • A radar dome in the mast wears on the sails, i.e. one of the members had his dome ripped off in a involuntary gybe.
  • A radar dome in the mast does not give a longer range ( 2 m above the sea, gives free sight to the horizon), nor does it reduce reflexes from the sea.
  • A radar dome in the mast needs longer cables, mounting bracket for the mast, and guard rail, which in turn costs more than a radar mast.
  • A radar dome in the mast guarantees that there will be no radar when the mast goes overboard...
To start with, the mast should have a cradle to enable the dome to be level at all times, but that would require to many moving mechanical parts, which again makes it more prune to failures and breakdowns so I settled down with this simple solution. 

(In retrospect, I never had to adjust the inclination in order to optimize the radar picture when sailing close-hauled!)

 

The base of the mast is a T-bar shaped like the the bracket of the aft stay.

The cable is lead directly trough the stern and the hole is sealed with marine PU (polyurethane) sealant and covered with this stainless ventilation cover.

 

The mast is fixed to the rail with stainless clamps as shown in the picture.

 The local ships smith welded and polished the mast based on the working drawing below.

The mast needed struts, and they were fastened to the rail with a simple clamp and to the deck with a tiny fitting.

 

working drawing with cradle

final working drawing