Tips on adding radar to Bene 40

[Peter Obetz]

we have done enough overnight passages without radar and now want to add it.  Wondering which mounts or positions any of you have good luck with.  Mast mount, rear pole, backstay etc.  We have the E-80 and thus will stick with Raymarine.

[Peter Obetz]

did you add it or was the boat equipped already with it?  Trying to see how complicated running the wires down the mast may be.

[William Dill]

I added radar on a pole on the aft-port side of our 40 to the network hub so that we could use a computer below and the E80 that was already mounted in the cockpit. Since we will be heading south from Kentucky Lake next fall and will have to step the mast this was the best option for us. I climbed through the access hatch into the area below to tighten the bolts for the mast mount and to feed the wire where we needed it.

Kailani B40

[Michael Boyle]

Mine is Raymarine colour (note spelling----UK based) fitted half way up mast. When first had yacht always used it when crossing English Channel. Have since added Raymarine AIS again onto chart plotter and rarely use radar now. Radar is expensive both in money and electric. AIS shows up on chart plotter much more clearly and hardly uses any electric. You can use existing VHF aerial with a splitter. Wouldn't be without it. Also folks at home can track you. If you haven't got AIS I would fit that first, much cheaper, easier to use and instal. I only use radar now for tracking squalls at night.

[Mark and Karen]

Agree with Michael, we added the AIS and use it all the times, seldom put the radar on

[Mike Brown]

Had the dealer add Raymarine HD radar a couple of years ago. They mounted it just above the first spreader on the front of the mast. No issues and paints a good image. Also have AIS receive only and like others have said rely on that more than the radar. Radar goes on when the visibility drops so I can pick up boats without AIS. You do have to keep it dialed into a close range to pick up small power boats.