an informal poll
- Thread starter reelfast
- Start date
Charlie
Well-Known Member
I know you are looking for a simple yes or no, but how about radar reflective tape? That count as a radar reflector? I have that around the entire boat, which lights it up like a Christmas tree! 
This is a good article on radar reflectors. http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Studies/radar_reflector_test.htm#INDEX
This is a good article on radar reflectors. http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Studies/radar_reflector_test.htm#INDEX
Hoochiebob
Well-Known Member
19 ft cuddy cab-no.Won't work without a mast
Not a boat I'd take offshore anyways
Hooch
Not a boat I'd take offshore anyways
Hooch
TenMile
Well-Known Member
Yep, got one.
Higher mounting the better I agree, but having something is better than nothing. There is even a story you can Google about a boater emptying out 6 cans of beer and hosting the 6-pack with the empty cans up his mast in the fog.
I'm even outfitted with 2 GPS units plus radar just to be extra safe.
TenMile
<'((((><
Higher mounting the better I agree, but having something is better than nothing. There is even a story you can Google about a boater emptying out 6 cans of beer and hosting the 6-pack with the empty cans up his mast in the fog.
I'm even outfitted with 2 GPS units plus radar just to be extra safe.
TenMile
<'((((><
juandesooka
Active Member
Simple yes or no? Can't keep it that...
I do not have radar. I have a radar reflector that I have never installed. After a close call in the fog last year near swiftsure, I now have the radar reflect aboard. If we are in fog and advancing through shipping lanes, I plan to rig up a little mast in the rod holders with it on top. Not perfect, but good enough in a pinch.
Future plan...radar! Hopefully it will come with a bigger boat too... [
]
*************************
http://fishingportrenfrew.ca
http://fishingsooke.ca
I do not have radar. I have a radar reflector that I have never installed. After a close call in the fog last year near swiftsure, I now have the radar reflect aboard. If we are in fog and advancing through shipping lanes, I plan to rig up a little mast in the rod holders with it on top. Not perfect, but good enough in a pinch.
Future plan...radar! Hopefully it will come with a bigger boat too... [
]*************************
http://fishingportrenfrew.ca
http://fishingsooke.ca
juandesooka
Active Member
Reflective tape would certainly be an easier way to do this.
Charlie: given poor performance of most of those other reflectors in that study, how do you know the tape works?
Charlie: given poor performance of most of those other reflectors in that study, how do you know the tape works?
C
chromechaser
Guest
If the general premise is the higher the better, then how would refelctive tape around the hull and cockpit make a significant difference. Is suspect that having radar on board would allow you to see tall boats even if they can't see you, but now not sure how it will help to see other shorter boats. Maybe I'm being naive and buying into an article where I don't know much about the authors, but it seems pretty scientific and objective.
yep, the flag idea looks like a good idea gone bad, not too useful of a tool. could find zero info on 'radar reflective tape', lots of stuff on light reflective tape, however.
small fiberglass boats are a real issue for radar. their cross section is so small that my radar will only light up occasionally as they bob about. sometimes when they are headed away from me, i can see their engines reflecting the radar signal (yep i run my radar when it's clear out so i have some idea of what i am looking at when i can visually confirm) larger fiberglass boats seem to be picked up just fine which sort of confirms the point of height being an important criteria. then again, i wrapped the upper part of my trap poles with aluminum furnace tape and the radar will pick that up without issue.
unfortunately, all of the test articles you read are conducted in a lab environment and have not much to do with what we encounter out on the open water. but, having some sort of reflector is still a great idea in the fog. hang it on your boat hook and stick it in the rocket launcher. most important is get off the throttle, these are the boats that really frighten me, i can hear'um running hard when you can't see 100'.
small fiberglass boats are a real issue for radar. their cross section is so small that my radar will only light up occasionally as they bob about. sometimes when they are headed away from me, i can see their engines reflecting the radar signal (yep i run my radar when it's clear out so i have some idea of what i am looking at when i can visually confirm) larger fiberglass boats seem to be picked up just fine which sort of confirms the point of height being an important criteria. then again, i wrapped the upper part of my trap poles with aluminum furnace tape and the radar will pick that up without issue.
unfortunately, all of the test articles you read are conducted in a lab environment and have not much to do with what we encounter out on the open water. but, having some sort of reflector is still a great idea in the fog. hang it on your boat hook and stick it in the rocket launcher. most important is get off the throttle, these are the boats that really frighten me, i can hear'um running hard when you can't see 100'.
Charlie
Well-Known Member
Sheesh... I didn't want this to turn in to debate about my reflection tape? [:I]
So, I guess to start, read the article about radar reflectors, then see my post at: http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12835
Look at the X-Band, it is what is used by ALL</u> us and most commercials in the area we are in… the S-Band is usually used farther offshore.
Our radar is really only effective for somewhere between 4-10 miles, depending on the height it is mounted. I very seldom even set mine to over 6 miles and usually run it at somewhere between ½ mile and 2 miles. Think about it, if a boat is over two miles from you, do you really care?
Higher the better...? The higher gives you a bigger and stronger signal that produces a larger blip on the screen.
A radar reflector, 2 feet about the water line will produce a signal up to 4-6 miles? Do we really care if it goes farther than that?
So, I guess to start, read the article about radar reflectors, then see my post at: http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12835
How do I know my boat "Lights up like a Christmas tree", I have friends who have radar and we checked!
Look at the X-Band, it is what is used by ALL</u> us and most commercials in the area we are in… the S-Band is usually used farther offshore.
Our radar is really only effective for somewhere between 4-10 miles, depending on the height it is mounted. I very seldom even set mine to over 6 miles and usually run it at somewhere between ½ mile and 2 miles. Think about it, if a boat is over two miles from you, do you really care?
Higher the better...? The higher gives you a bigger and stronger signal that produces a larger blip on the screen.
A radar reflector, 2 feet about the water line will produce a signal up to 4-6 miles? Do we really care if it goes farther than that?
You keep that attitude… that has kept me alive for quite a few years!
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Yes. Period.
There have been many times when I'm running along full bore in a 42' rig, and suddenly there's a sport rig looming out of the fog that did NOT show on either my 16 nor 42 mile radar! EEK! Man, I would simply cut one of them in half if I wasn't watching!
Same goes for the sport rig, too many incidences to count when I've run right up on a fiberglass rig that had NO footprint on the radar screen.
Now translate that to a freighter which is cooking along better than 25 knots, and takes 4 miles to stop. If he can't see you, you ain't got a chance!
Cheers,
Nog
There have been many times when I'm running along full bore in a 42' rig, and suddenly there's a sport rig looming out of the fog that did NOT show on either my 16 nor 42 mile radar! EEK! Man, I would simply cut one of them in half if I wasn't watching!
Same goes for the sport rig, too many incidences to count when I've run right up on a fiberglass rig that had NO footprint on the radar screen.
Now translate that to a freighter which is cooking along better than 25 knots, and takes 4 miles to stop. If he can't see you, you ain't got a chance!
Cheers,
Nog
spring time
Well-Known Member
iron noggin then you are going to fast for the conditions. the difference of a freighter if that they signal with there horn every couple of minutes and they are on traffic
wolf
Well-Known Member
Well I personally never understood a deflecter anyways as you have an engine on there thats 10 X bigger than a deflector i pick up 14 ft fiberglass boats no problem and i know I show up becuase I have asked buddies look at the arch the radar itself theres metal all over the place you cant tell me A piece of tin 12 inchs will show up and a arch that is 7 ft by 3 feet whith rods sticking out of it which are metal too is better???
me No
wolf
Blue Wolf Charters
www.bluewolfcharters.com
me No
wolf
Blue Wolf Charters
www.bluewolfcharters.com
searun
Well-Known Member
Too fast for conditions? WTF - anyone who is operating a vessel in fog without radar and reflectors is simply nuts. All operators should be able to rely upon the collision avoidance regulations which require other vessels operating in fog to have reflectors....it is non nonsensical to feel sorry for the guy out there without anything and blame the operator who is using the required navigation equipment.
OMG, have you ever been 25 miles off shore with a freighter coming down on your position at 20 knots? Even with radar it is tough to judge where to position yourself to avoid impact. I can't imagine relying on an intermittent horn blast for a position, bearing and closing vector data upon which to make a reliable collision avoidance decision.
You are asking to either run into another boat or to be hit yourself. All commercial vessels (guide boats included) are required by law to have reflectors. There is no reason why any boater can't install one. They are simple and cheap, and strap to just about any VHF antennae.
I've seen my share of dumb F***s running offshore with no radar and staring at the GPS like it was somehow able to help them get there safe while they narrowly miss hitting us as they zig zag along trying to steer a straight course.
Sorry, but its time for a crack down and large fines for the dumb a** guys who insist on running in fog without radar. Really...how much is your life worth? If you are too cheap to spend $3000 on a unit, then you haven't the right to endanger others. To me it is like drunk drivers - zero tolerance.
Get them off the water.
OMG, have you ever been 25 miles off shore with a freighter coming down on your position at 20 knots? Even with radar it is tough to judge where to position yourself to avoid impact. I can't imagine relying on an intermittent horn blast for a position, bearing and closing vector data upon which to make a reliable collision avoidance decision.
You are asking to either run into another boat or to be hit yourself. All commercial vessels (guide boats included) are required by law to have reflectors. There is no reason why any boater can't install one. They are simple and cheap, and strap to just about any VHF antennae.
I've seen my share of dumb F***s running offshore with no radar and staring at the GPS like it was somehow able to help them get there safe while they narrowly miss hitting us as they zig zag along trying to steer a straight course.
Sorry, but its time for a crack down and large fines for the dumb a** guys who insist on running in fog without radar. Really...how much is your life worth? If you are too cheap to spend $3000 on a unit, then you haven't the right to endanger others. To me it is like drunk drivers - zero tolerance.
Get them off the water.
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
LOL! Oh Yeah, the troller runs about 7 knots flat out screaming! The sport rig not much more than that in the real thick stuff. Too fast? Nonsense!
Both carry very good equipment which I well understand.
And btw, it ain't MY responsibility to hit the horn every couple of seconds to cover anyone foolish enough to be there without the proper equipment! Really!
No need to be sorry whatsoever searun. EXACTLY the way I feel as well! [^]
But you don't need to cough 3K to do so...
And Reflectors of any kind are a good start.
Cheers,
Nog
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