AIS, Radar or both?

[MarkJ]

Exact same question asked last week here and I put my opinion on that thread.


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[Sandero]

AIS receivers are cheap... VHF radios come with them. Your MFD sould be able to show CPA and use the received AIS data for collisions avoidance. But it only shows AIS A and B!

Radar is pricey and presumably shows anything you can run into and includes the boats that can run into you AND your radar will should do CPA and etc.

AIS B lets other AISs see you and that's another level of safety.

If your floating about busing areas with lots of ships which are not very maneuverable... sailing in poor visibility and at night... the cost of these is well worth it.

But nothing beats good watch keeping and that costs nothing... but you can't see in the dark or fog... so these electronics are your friends.

[Kenomac]

Get both.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Is there a Radar transponder, that is something that receives a Radar signal and then transmits one to make you more visible?

Yes. Called an "Active radar reflector". Google that to get lots of options

[Rorzech]

My new 3G radar uses less power than a cell phone and no dangerous radiation either. So you can mount it where ever you please. No dead spot 10 to 200 feet from your boat like the older ones. I wouldn't leave the dock without it. AIS is good to but now you're putting your life in someone else's hands. Radar reflectors and depth sounders are a must and anything else you can get your hands on for safety against collision with boats ships half sunken containers and rocks.

[tdoster]

I am an AIS TRANSPONDER convert when anywhere in large shipping channels or sailing in the oil rig infested Gulf. That being said, I also believe highly in radar and chart overlay as the chart may be wrong, but the overlay will give you enough information to offset it and make better decisions when sailing places you have never been before. I would not say one way or the other is better than the other and if I had to choose, I would pick radar first.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Get both.

Absolutely.

But if you have a forced choice; go with good radar. Radar will not only see other vessels, but it will allow you to get radar fixes. I really like radar for spotting squalls, especially at night.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by jackdale

if you have a forced choice; go with good radar. Radar will not only see other vessels, but it will allow you to get radar fixes. I really like radar for spotting squalls, especially at night.

I'll second that recommendation.

[waterman46]

Absolutely radar is first priority unless you never sail at night, in rain or in fog. That fishing boat without AIS who is too busy with his gear to check for traffic, will just rip you open. The first law of survival is to depend only on your own resources AIS doesn't qualify in that regard

Don't worry about the power drain You don't need to use it in good visibility.

Stay Safe

[Boatyarddog]

Don't count out the fact that you could be struck by lightning, or ?.
So now if you had NO electronics, what then?
Passive reflectors are worth their weight, get a good one, place it high in the rigging, and be seen.


Sent from SV Cloud Duster

[goat]

The new radar systems are great, you can see weather patterns, sometimes logs, lobster trap floats and debris floating in the water, you can tell if a seagull has a grey head or a white one and see all manner of vessels except one. For some reason sailboats are invisible to radar unless they have a piece of aluminum hanging high up on the aluminum mast.

I wear a foil hat to serve as dual purpose radar reflector and to stop the satellites from making me do things. Bad things.

goat

If you're still reading and not furiously typing an angry retort, I have both (and a reflector)

[River Cruiser]

Powerboater on the upper Mississippi River, I have both and each system is valuable to have on a boat for safety purposes. In the fog or at night AIS won't find the fishing boat with no lights or the channel markers. If I had to make a choice between the two systems I would go with radar it gives you eyes when you can't see past your bow.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[conachair]

Originally Posted by jackdale

But if you have a forced choice;

I'm not convinced there is much of a choice - you can get a cheap AIS reciever for less than the cost of a fashionable jacket, regardless of what else you have on the boat there really isn't much of a reason *not* to have one spittiing out lots of useful info for next to no power.I really don't think the Either/Or is a question.

[SaltyMetals]

I think A64 is pulling yr chain. The 31' must be an American nomenclature since surely 31' means 31 feet. If it had suggested inches then it would be 31''.

[sailingharry]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Add storm avoidance.

OP--radar OR AIS? Come on!

Not to pick on his boat (mine is even older), but he sails a 33 year old 31 foot Hunter. Just guessing, but his budget is probably less than that enjoyed by the owner of a Freya 39. He's probably juggling "wish I had" and "what do I give up to get it."

On a 31 foot boat, radar adds a lot of weight and real estate, not to mention the couple of grand to buy/install it.

Harry