[lwrandall]

I hope someone could answer this. Why is it that many Euro boats have such low Radar arches as compared to designs from other areas. I realize people in the Med like their sun, but do they need more than the sun's radiation to get that tan? Or is it that us Americans are just electronics happy and we need our radar on 24/7?

As one of the great tabloid papers say... "Enquiring minds want to know"

[MedRascal]

Its all about the looks and style... a low profile radar arch makes the profile of the boat look sleeker, hence faster...

This is why some yachts install their radar raised on a stainless steel or fiberglass support over the arch to make it higher.

Example

[AMG]

Of course it is to get a lower arch design, but I also think that we have an inside steering position on all flybridge boats and this is where you normally drive when using the radar.

[Kevin]

It's not so much fried brains that I'd be worried about were I to find myself that close to a radar. I remember once when I was a teen I was visiting an airshow and while checking out some very cool attack choppers one of the pilots was explaining some of the equipment to me... when we got to the dome mounted in the nose all he said was "son, if ever you want to have kids of your own one day you'll just steer clear of this".

[KCook]

Very good point Lars. But this is a valid east-west cultural difference. Very rare to see low profile radar arches on US designs.

Kelly Cook

[shuttlecr]

Maybe they have a lot more "old world" style (lower) bridges to pass under.

[lwrandall]

Will form and function ever merge. It seems to me that the looks of a low arch is defeated by placing a post on top for the radar scanner.

[KCook]

I agree on that Lionel, the low arch - post combination looks like a kludge to me too.

Kelly

[Garry Hartshorn]

I just cast my eye around the marina that I am in at the moment and noticed that there are numerious U.S. built sportsfishers around the 30 to 40 ft length that have there radars mounted at about the right hieght to fry the drivers n^%s when he is on the flybridge. Same issues different style ????

[lwrandall]

Any boat design that places an object that throws out enough radiation to spot a flock of birds 10 miles away directly in the path of peoples vital organs, brain and anything else, is a design that is looking at style not safety. True their are some US designs that fit the description but the majority are of European origin. I hope I don't offend. I just feel this is not responsible boat designing.

Lars is correct in saying that many euro flybridge boats have lower stations but isn't radar used for clear weather navigation as well.

[Garry Hartshorn]

Regardless of nationality it is poor design. One should also concide satphones and anything else that transmits a powerfull signal.

[lwrandall]

Agree, no arguement here. Never thought about the satphone...

[rickp]

I don't think radars put out all the much power. The rating may be 4kW or more - but they are pulsed output (probably only transmitting for 1/100th of the time). I don't think they have to be that far away from you to give a field strength significantly less than a cellphone held to your ear.

Though on my euro-boat, the radar is well above my head

Rick

[Garry Hartshorn]

Seem to remember safe distance from a mini B is 2 metres (6 ft) thats to walk through not stand for extended periods.

[lwrandall]

Rickp I appreciate your clarification. From what I have read recently on the web since I posted most "experts" say things similar to what you said.

But they all add CYA statements like exposure should be limited as much as possible and try not to use it in close proximity to populated areas such as marinas.

Prolonged exposure, several hours on the flybridge during a cruise, should also be avoided.