Plastimo Tubular radar reflectors

[Rupert Bear]

Anybody have problems with these falling off the boat?
The first one I fitted fell off the first day it went out, was replaced FOC and fitted with an additional bracket to steady it and lasted a year till the wife took it off on a yacht prow.
The new one fitted last week lasted less than six miles without the bracket.
Now plastimo say this is a rare event but the twice I have fitted one soley using their bracket for support it has fell off within the first few miles by the lug on the bottom shearing. It is supposed to be for a powerboat and and it wasn't as if it was rough.
Before calling and complaining has anybody else had the same problem?

[Biggles]

Interesting,

I was thinking of getting one of them. Guess I'll wait now tho'

[Richard B]

The only way to fit tubular reflectors is using cable ties through the eyelets at each end. Any other method is futile. The "bracket at one end" fitting just isn't suitable for a RIB.

[Viper]

Same here

First one, bracket broke: second one, broke again same place...

Now held on with cable ties.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by Richard B

The only way to fit tubular reflectors is using cable ties through the eyelets at each end. Any other method is futile. The "bracket at one end" fitting just isn't suitable for a RIB.

Not sue if same make but our bracket did not even make it to sea, as Richard said cable ties each end works well .I know with it tied along the top of the A frame it not the correct mounting but my view it was better than nothing.

[Rupert Bear]

I did fit the one that lasted a year with a small bracket near the top which seemed to work.
I made and fitted one to the new one too but unfortunately it came loose and off the reflector went (I put in a plain nut as it was all I had at the time and was going to replace it with a nyloc............... )

[codprawn]

Is fitting a radar reflector to a commercial rib a legal requirement??? If so does it matter if it works???

The reason I ask is that many of the ones tested in a boating mag recently were next to useless!!!

Basically only the active seemee annd the larger echomax were any good - also the larger trilens.

[Richard B]

Strictly speaking, it's a legal requirement for any RIB, in fact any craft putting to sea!

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by codprawn

If so does it matter if it works???

downt bee a twatt yew twatt. de articul sed orl de reeflektors waz crapp. wot thay didunt tel yew waz dat thay fownd owt a weak layter dat de raydar waz fukt

gArf

[Rogue Wave]

cable ties for me