Looking for ideas on a 2018 260DA radar mount

fishnet99

New Member
Feb 3, 2018
6
Boat Info
2018 260DA
Engines
ECT 6.2L (300HP) MPI BR3
Thanks for the wealth of knowledge you all bring to the forum. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.

The radar arch on the 2018 260DA seems pretty narrow. Any suggestions as to the best mount for a Simrad 4G and/or the maximum size footprint it would support? Ideally, it would be able to incorporate the anchor light and a Simrad GS25.

TIA
 
I used sea view. They have tons of options.
 
As you found, the arch on the smaller Sundancers (pocket cruisers) was/is never designed for a radar arch. It's primary function is aesthetics and a place to attach the canvas. I believe SeaView does custom builds? But you've still got a pretty narrow mounting area and I "think" the canvas tracking sits slightly proud of the top of the arch surface? That means any type of "adapter" that you can fabricate has still less of a footprint and must also elevate slightly. Anything can be done - but depending on the design of the adapter, mechanical fastening alone may not be enough - you might need to fabricate something with glass/epoxy over plywood (for example). But it would certainly be worthwhile to contact SeaView with your dimensions and see what they can do.
 
Thanks NotHerDecision, I had seen those and liked them, but the base was 7"x7" and didn't look like it would fit. The stainless steel model is 6"x6" and even that seemed like it might be too big.


Thank you LazyDaze. I called Sea Ray today and they said, as you mentioned, the arch on the 260DA is not designed to support installation of a radar and would need reinforcing/customization if I were to install a radar. Pretty disappointed as that was my sole purpose for getting the arch and I explained that to the dealer and was told "no problem, it's easy to install." I do like the aesthetic and it will help with resale down the road.

I haven't closed on the boat yet so I need to decide if I can live without radar as I'm not looking to go all franken-arch and risk voiding any warranty on a brand new boat.
 
I’m not personally familiar with the 260 but having a good fiberglass shop build you a base for a done radar shouldn’t be complicated or look bad at all.
 
I picked up a SeaScan mount and light bar from these guys (https://sites.google.com/site/seascanradarmounts/home/radar-mounts) for my 340SDA. The light bar even came with the fold down assembly for the light.

I have been happy with the construction and they seemed very easy to work with. The website is not particularly appealing but when I called them they were very helpful. They will also do custom base plates.

-Kevin
 
Where do you plan on using the boat? I'm not saying don't pursue getting one, but do you think it will be really necessary? What about something like a FLIR unit? They're much smaller and would at least give you some piece of mind in dark or foggy situations. Maybe even just a handheld for emergency use?
 
We do most of our boating around Salem/Gloucester, MA with the occasional trip to Plymouth, Provincetown, and Stellwagen Bank (~16 miles offshore.) It's generally not too foggy in these areas, but I'm planning to do a long weekend or two down to Martha's Vineyard and/or Chatham this summer and I've heard fog on Cape Cod in summer is pretty standard, as it is on the Maine coast that I plan to visit sometime next year.

I have zero concern about me hitting anything as I am very cautious, especially at night and in fog. However, I have been out in the fog and dark when other boaters, sans RADAR, are going WOT. In thick fog, it's a very eerie feeling to hear several boats doing 30+MPH nearby and not knowing where they are. I'd prefer to see them coming from a distance, know their trajectory, and give them a wide berth.

Heck, this guy couldn't see a boat right in front of him in good visibility. http://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoo...o-avoid-oncoming-motorboat-sues-helmsman.html

I know I would only need RADAR >5% of the time (likely >1%,) which really makes it a pretty expensive want as opposed to a need, but the peace of mind with my family onboard would be worth it.
 
I know exactly what you mean about the fog and "hearing" other boats. Heck, where we boat on the coast of Maine, I've been in fog so dense during the DAY that it's scary - same thing, though - I can hear them... just can't see them. Which means they can't hear me. Usually it's lobster boats and they run loud - meaning they can't see OR hear me.

I sailed into Gloucester a while back. Yes "sailed" - my uncle had bought a used 29' Pearson in NYC and asked me to help him get it to Maine. He said "I can buy a trailer or we can sail it"... Ummm... yeah, that's a no brainer! I only saw a little of the town as we came in around 2am and tied up to a dock till the morning. Was a pretty rough area at 2am!

Sailboats (or at least that's the only place I've ever seen them) will sometimes have radar mounted on poles, attached at the rear of the cockpit. I suppose you could do something from the platform. The further back you go, the more stable it will be.

New radars aren't too heavy, right? I think there would be a way to mount it to the arch. It wouldn't void your entire warranty - just the area you are mounting to or something that was damaged because of the installation.
 
I too have had the fog scare. Boating from Southern California to Catalina Island with visibility of 20 ft... Very precarious.
 
One additional perspective as a New England boater. Fog can usually be avoided as a day tripper or weekend boater. It is common in the morning but burns off in a few hours. Generally speaking, it not advise able to head out into fog or fog producing conditions if you don't have too. A 260SD (great boat) is not an offshore cruiser such that you would be out in conditions where fog would roll in on you. The previously suggested flir idea seems very intriguing. looked at flir's website and they unveiled a new camera with "cruise analytics" that id's objects on screen if you have the axiom mfd. very small and might meet your needs. The other option is AIS.
 
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