Has anyone fitted a radar reflector to their 235? What make/model have you used and how/whereabouts was it fitted on the boat? Have you any information on how effective it is!?

Thanks

Chris Cobb

235/48 "Tarakihi"

I keep one of those folding aluminium things on board and if I am planning to cross the shipping lanes in bad visibility I hang it up in the approved orientation on the flag halyard (starboard spreaders). I've no idea if it works but it makes me feel safer. I wouldn't want anything with that amount of reflecting area up permanently!

Geof Harwood Cygnus 21/30

I too have a folding aluminum one that I raised (once!!) using the spinnaker halyard with the bottom tied to the bow rail. No idea how effective it actually was but it certainly gets in the way a lot. When tacking, it has to be dropped and then raised on the other side, and it is impossible to get the halyard tight enough to stop it swinging quite wildly.

I used it in poor visibility because of rain and rough weather, but it would be much less of a problem in calm fog.

David Pocock
Parker 235/52 Arawa

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http://www.force4.co.uk/...ctor-for-Sailboats-.html ). I raise it on the topping lift with a couple of loops round the backstay to keep it clear of the main (i.e disconnect the Topping lift and attach it to the pushpit or similar).

No idea how effective it is. Would probably put the other one up as well for crossing shipping lanes.

Jim Hamilton

http://freespace.virgin....james.hamilton/forum.jpg 

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Guys,

http://www.rya.org.uk/Kn...ages/radarreflector.aspx )that says that most folding reflectors are not very effective when the boat is heeled and that the Plastimo tubular reflector is probably useless! Even the bigger encapsulated reflectors have limitation and don't necessarily meet the appropriate BS standard. Apparently, a new international standard is expected imminently. Perhaps some new kit will be made to this in the future. The recommendation for small boats is to fit the biggest/best reflector you can that is practical.

Chris Cobb
235/48 "Tarakihi"