Radar mounting

David R

David R

New Member
Aug 5, 2017
11
Illinois. Docked in Racine, WI
Boat Info
2003 Sea Ray Sundancer 320
Engines
MerCruiser 5.0 MPI I/O With Bravo III drives
I'm getting ready to mount a Raymarine Quantum 2 on a 2003 320 sundancer that has not had radar before. On the radar arch there is a flat spot in the center, does anyone know if it is already set to the appropriate degree so the radar is correct when on plane? If I need to add a wedge or washers at what degree should I tilt the radar? I will be mounting on an aft leaning Seaview mount.
 
The angle of your radar will need to be adjusted based on your running angle while using. The flat part of the arch is for the unit, but you might need wedges.
 
mquiet said:
The angle of your radar will need to be adjusted based on your running angle while using. The flat part of the arch is for the unit, but you might need wedges.
Click to expand...
David R said:
I'm getting ready to mount a Raymarine Quantum 2 on a 2003 320 sundancer that has not had radar before. On the radar arch there is a flat spot in the center, does anyone know if it is already set to the appropriate degree so the radar is correct when on plane? If I need to add a wedge or washers at what degree should I tilt the radar? I will be mounting on an aft leaning Seaview mount.
Click to expand...

When I installed my radar (also a Quantum) on my 340SDA I contacted Sea Ray support. They verified to me that they engineered the pitch into the mounting pad on the arch and that a zero degree mount was previously used. While this is not that same model I would venture a guess that since they were engineered during the same period that this would also apply here.

-Kevin
 
Mine has the same flat area but I did find I needed a wedge. I ended up using a Battlewagon angled mount. While getting on plane I was getting visions of the sky.
 
When I mounted my radar I did it on the assumption that when I would need it most would be in poor visibility conditions and therefore at slow speeds.
I taped a level to the mounting positioning it in center bubble at 0 knots and recoded the movement of the bubble up to 5knts. Subsequently I mounted my unit at a modest down angle (10*) based on the reading taken at 5knts. Half tank of fuel and water. 2 passengers onboard. Normal or close to normal cruising conditions. So far I haven’t collided with anything but I try to avoid poor visibility conditions too.
 
David, a hint for you to make things easier in the future:

When you get ready to pull the wires up to the top of the arch, get some parachute cord and pull a length of it with the wires. Make the cord several feet longer than the distance the wires will run.

If you do that, the next time you pull wires the parachute cord will already be there and save a lot of cussin'.
 
Tie 3 or 4 extra strings to the first pull string then you'll have a lot of extras, did that when I pulled wires from bilge for my depth finder, pulled 3 extra strings. Always find I need another wire for something so now everytime I pull a wire any where I pull a couple extra strings thru and just tie them off and always got them.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Modern radars have software that adjusts the image to achieve the accuracy needed for safe navigation. Gain can be set for harbor conditions or running offshore at cruise speed. Boat builders also design arches for their intended purpose. I have owned three different radars and everyone was better than the one it replaced. The last one picked up seabirds with unbelievable accuracy. It would also display low flying aircraft. Pretty amazing when you think about it.
 
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