Is radar overkill on a 28-footer? (Maine fog says no?)

Question

Cruising midcoast Maine. AIS receive already on board. The new dome radars are down to ~$1,600 and the chartplotter supports one. Wife says overkill for a 28' boat. Maine fog says otherwise. Tiebreak me.

trawlerTom · Answer

Radar isn't for seeing ships (AIS does that) — it's for the lobster boat with no AIS doing 20kt out of the fog bank. In Maine that's not overkill, that's Tuesday.

saltydog_frank · Answer

Rule of thumb: if your home waters have a fog season, radar. If it has an afternoon thunderstorm season, radar. Florida me and Maine you both qualify.

fogdodger · Answer

Wife has conceded after reading these replies aloud at dinner. Dome ordered. Marriage intact.

Is radar overkill on a 28-footer? (Maine fog says no?)

3 replies