Radar reflector location

[JDCAVE]

Why not get AIS and forget the radar reflector?

I agree somewhat. I now transmit AIS, primarily so the "big boys" can identify me and contact me (or I them) to arrange safe passes. I don't really think that a radar reflector is a significant improvement to have on larger FRP vessels that comprise the majority of the membership on this forum. These vessels are already quite visible on radar--or at least I identify them on my radar.

When running in the fog, I worry most about the small skiffs and run-a-bouts: They have no radar or radar reflector. Victoria Harbour off the breakwater comes to mind. We left Victoria Harbour and then entered fog right off the breakwater and there were car-toppers running back and forth across the harbour entrance. I was constantly switching the radar between the 0.125-0.5 nm range settings and my wife watching outside and I had my head buried in the instruments. Quite unnerving. Even without reflectors, these skiffs were identified as targets with the gain cranked.

 

[markpierce]

Most boats don't have AIS, and I don't either. Please make your boat radar-visible! Amazing the number of boats that only show up as teeny-tiny dots or not at all. If not using a radar reflector, please have a steel boat.