I’m researching mast-mounted radar mounts. Please send me a picture of yours!
Thanks
Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Hi, Bob,
Here are a couple of shots of ours. I plan to move the whole thing up the mast ASAP, but this will give you an idea. The base is a welded piece, held to the mast with straps not unlike hose clamps. It’s quite sturdy.
Cheers,
John
John Hinman
Larkspur, 30U #351
Brooklin, ME
Bob and John
My radar is the same as John’s. Only with a carbon fibre mast we had to reinforce the front of the mast with carbon material and then fit the radar platform to that. $$$$
John, you might want to rethink moving the radar higher since that would significantly increase the side to side motion on the radar screen. You can gimbal the platform but that can cause expensive wear on the cable as it rocks back and forth. My suggestion is keep well enough alone.
Ray Dykstra
Timaru Nui, Nonsuch 324
Brentwood Bay, BC
Ray
You woke me up
Plus tell me more about your carbon fiber mast.
With Regards
Naoto207-251-6165
Solar Market
Sorry new kid on the block
Naoto Inoue
Knotty Cat (for now)
Nonsuch 30U 291
Kennebunkport, Maine
With Regards
Naoto207-251-6165
Solar Market
Hi, see photo attached. My radar is mounted on metal bracket that is held in place by what I believe are 4 long hose clamps(?) that were fed through some hose so as to better grip the mast. They go under the sail track, of course. This was way it was installed by PO when I got the boat two years ago. Sorry this is the best photo I has at the moment.
Cheers,
Don
’87 NS30U #369 Breezin’
Vancouver, BC
All the nonsuch produced after 1994 were referred to by a number reflecting their over all length including the pulpit. They replaced the ultra’s. I have a 30 ft Nonsuch which is refered to as a 324, 32 ft 4 inches. Personally I think it was a dumb nominclature, the alternative name would have be Neptune. Although the hull was the same many changes occured in the interior as well as the keel and standing rigging. The aluminum mast and boom were replaced with carbon fiber with on a 324 saved 750 pounds so the hightened the mast by about three feet and increased the sail area by about 34 ft. Sq. Suggest you go online and google Nonsuch 324
I don’t recall which company built the mast and booms but they are still in business and located in Conneticut. The masts now are very expensive but are less prone to the fatique experienced by aluminum ones. They are also much more flexible, like a fishing rod.
Ray Dykstra
Naoto
I managed to find a photo which shows the radar, its bracket and position on the mast. It is the boat on the right. Hope you can zoom in on it.
(attachments)
radar photo.html (786 KB)
Ray Dykstra,
Thanks for the response on my core question.
I can not see your picture of your radar.
You may want to repost your last attachment on this thread.
Brian,
Boat-less in New England
(attachments)
radar photo.html (786 KB)
Ray,
I am on the second season with a carbon fiber mast in my 33. Composite Engineering, Inc of Westport, MA was the supplier. Ted Van Dusen is the owner. The fabrication equipment is located at and operated by Moore Brothers in Bristol, RI.
I believe Composite Engineering was the manufacturer of the carbon masts in the 1990’s.
Your description of the flexibility of carbon fiber mast is inaccurate. Carbon fiber mast are much stiffer than aluminum masts. The sail, in order to “fit” a carbon fiber mast, must have much less luff curve.
Ward Woodruff
N33 #8 Margery
Niantic Bay, CT
Ward
Thanks for the information.
Bob,
Have you looked at the pictures on the Nonsuch Photo Galleries? There is a section on radar.
https://pbase.com/nonsuch/radar_mounts
Mark Powers
Not to contradict Ray, but in the interest of collecting our experiences, I have chanced a wobbly radar image to get rid of that lower placement, which I tried for three seasons. Especially if I’m single-handing, there are too many ways for lines to foul on the radome when it’s on the mast and under the wishbone. Obviously, that might call into question my sail handling, but I also have the plotter and AIS, so a wobbly radar image is, comparatively, no biggie.
I considered a gimbal, but I’ve read many warnings like Ray’s. I also thought about a stern mount, but I have enough going on back there already. My yard moved the radome this past month, and they were able to modify the mount for the smaller diameter of the mast. If I discover any downsides, I’ll chime in again.
John Hinman
Larkspur, 30U #351
Brooklin, ME
I believe it was Ted Van Dusen. He ids an MIT train composites engineer. His main line is carbon fiber Olympic rowing shells.
Mike Quill directed me to him.
Do you need to know something special about the mast?
Ward Woodruff
N33 #8 Margery
Niantic Bay, CT
I just want to find out what I can about the boat I’m looking at. It’s nice to know if questions arise in the future. Thanks for your information, I appreciate it.
Nick Burnett
NS33W 2000
Sugar Blues
Portland, ME
Seconding Ward, I’ve also been referred by Mike Quill to Ted Van Dusen (https://composite-eng.com/) as the manufacturer for most of the Nonsuch carbon fiber spars.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e 26U #233