Advise on mounting radar dome / Mount or wedge??

[Slabby20]

I'm in the process of mounting a fishing/radar arch on my 21' walkaround. The arch has 4 rocket launcher rod holders. My question is: How would you mount the dome? I'll need to get some forward angle to compensate for how the boat rides. Do I need to use a 4" or 5" mount to get the radar's aft beam to clear the rocket launchers or would just using a 4 or 5 degree wedge mounted right on the arch pad be OK?

Appreciate any advice you might have. Any recommendations on mounts or wedges??

Thanks,
Slabby

 

[nedarb2]

i think you wedge it to help compensate for the angle, would make sense.. i guess it depends on do you want the more accurate reading while crusing or trolling?

 

[Northof49]

The power of the unit and the emitted microwaves seems to have some bearing on the height you want to mount it.

It seems that an angle of 10 degress is considered the norm.

http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=123781

 

[bee15]

nounted mine to a round base plate then had base welded to archat at reccomended angle.

 

[TenMile]

I've got mine mounted on a Seaview radar mount on my hardtop. It's on the downward slope of the hardtop and the mount itself has a 6 degree downward angle. Overall, the radar looks downward about 10 degrees or so when the boat is flat, and is level while running on plane. In theory this gives me a better view while running and a shorter view while trolling or anchored. My opinion is that I'd rather be able to see farther/clearer while I am running faster.

However....in a sport boat where the radar is probably only 8' above the water line at best, the angle really won't make that big of a difference with distance. Because you're so low, your view of the horizon is really about 3-5 miles away. Radar doesn't shoot out in a flat plane, it shoots out like a doughnut so even though the dome is tilted, it will still get it's signal out and back. A 12mi radar can easily send its doughnut the 3-5 miles when tilted.

So...just get it above your rocket launchers and you'll be set.