Shrink wrap over radome

GeoDosch

Cadet
Joined
Apr 10, 2021
Messages
7
I've been having my 340 Sea Ray shrink wrapped for years. One spring when I removed the wrap I found that the radome for the Raytheon was cracked from the pressure of the shrink wrap. It was an older unit, and had been acting-up. It was also old enough that finding a replacement radome cover wasn't happening.

So I went ahead and replaced it. But not wanting to have my new unit suffer the same fate, I built a wooden box that sits on the radar arch and takes the weight of the shrink wrap. I've been using "the box" for years, and it works well, but it is one more job to do in fall, and again in spring.

My question is, am I being overly paranoid about this? I've never heard about shrink wrapping damaging radomes despite the huge number of boats that are wrapped & have radar. Or does it happen, but I just don't hear about those.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,133
My question is, am I being overly paranoid about this? I've never heard about shrink wrapping damaging radomes despite the huge number of boats that are wrapped & have radar. Or does it happen, but I just don't hear about those.
I have not heard about it either but if box makes sure it doesn't happen I see no issues, and great idea
 

Grub54891

Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
6,087
Around here the shrink wrappers put a styrofoam block next to/or on both sides of the radar or other devices that may get damaged. When unwrapping in the spring we save the blocks for the wrappers to re-use the next time. I suppose that they got blamed for damages in the past and this keeps them from being liable for things like that.
 
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