Radar uses

[Seif911]

Good Morning All,
So my 77' Carver has a very old Raytheon radar. I'm not sure if it works yet. I am curious what is the purpose of radar? Is it just good for night and fog? Does it tell you the location of other boats or does it tell you weather fronts, or both?
I am just wondering to determine how much I really want it to work. I will be boating in Lake Michigan. Most of the time within 10 miles of shore but occasionally I will cross the lake, which is maybe 60 miles where I will cross.
Thanks,
Steve

[waybomb]

When you need it, you will be glad you have it. Like when a fog bank rolls in and you can't see the front of your boat. Yes, it can get that bad about as quick as it takes to read this post!
Uses of radar:
watch for rain clouds, meaning storms, track them, and avoid them
fisherman use them for spotting birds - that's where the fish are
fog or night situations - pick up objects you can run into
fog situations - find your harbor and get into it safely
track other vessels relative to your position
while sitting on your boat in the harbor on a foggy day and helping stranded boaters get back into the harbor.

What model is the radar? If it is one with a round screen, probably not very good if working at all. A brand new color radar will cost you 5k easy. You can buy a 2 or 3 generation old used radar for less than a thousand.

[CYO Admin]

Radar, of your vintage, won't tell where storm cells are and where they are headed. The will tell you where other objects are (boats, piling, land masses, etc.). Most casual boaters don't need radar. If you plan to run at night or in the fog you'll wish you had the best one on the market today.

If it does work, learn how to tune it, and read it. You don't want the first time your unexpectedly caught in a fog bank to be the last day of your life

[Seif911]

Wow, it can even pick up birds? That is pretty cool. It is a Raytheon Pathfinder. It is round and looks like a submarine periscope with the viewer like goggles to keep the sun out, I guess. It will be fun to play with if it works. If not, we'll that will need to wait until next year maybe.
Thanks,
Steve

[waybomb]

The one you have is pretty much useless. Find a decent Furuno 1941 or Raytheon 41xx open array. You can pick one up for less than a grand, and if you have time, just keep watching ebay and I'm sure you'll score one for about 500. These were very expensive radars in their day, and are "green screen". Just make sure whatever you buy comes with all the cables.

If you decide you can spend more than a grand, there's a whole bunch of decent Furuno, Raytheon, Raymarine, Garmin, Northstar color radars out there. You can get something good whatever your budget is.

[AaHubb]

Like others have said, You don't need it... until you do. Then it can be a life saver. The important thing is to run it often so you will be able to read it when you need it the most.

[waybomb]

I am not certain, but somewhere along the way, I was told there is a rule somewhere that states if you have radar installed on your vessel, you must have it powered up while piloting. Again, not certain, but I've always had my radar on all the time, and like AaHubb says, when you need it, you'll be glad you have it and know how to use it immediately by doing so.

[Seif911]

I have a Humminbird 898SI fish locator with GPS. Has anybody used the radar that you can up from Humminbird? I can pick that up for maybe $1200.

[CYO Admin]

I am not certain, but somewhere along the way, I was told there is a rule somewhere that states if you have radar installed on your vessel, you must have it powered up while piloting.

I have heard that as well.

[AaHubb]

I believe that rule applies to commercial craft not private.