www.iFourWinns.com

Perhaps a simple question. When the boat is at rest in calm water what surfaces can be expected to be level? Most surfaces should be level side-to-side, of course, otherwise the boat is listing. But what about fore-to-aft? The only surfaces I can think of that are functionally important to be level are the galley work surface and the v-berth and cockpit table surfaces.

The question arose when I mounted another 8' whip and wanted to tighten it down so that it is vertical when at rest. The boat is in the lift - a four-motor lift with independent switches, so there is no guarantee that the lift is truly level - and it isn't always cradled on the bunks level, either. I put a spirit level on the galley, adjusted the lift accordingly, and adjusted the antenna. As it happens, now it appears that I need a 5-degree mount wedge.

Of course, I can, and will, lower it tomorrow to see how it settles, but the question intrigues me still. What should be level?

_________________
Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

This is why most antennas have an adjuster as part of their mount. Typically the adjustment angle is oriented fore/aft to deal with just what you mention.

There's some degree of leeway to be allowed when mounting an antenna. Height above the water is the most important, not necessarily the exactness of angle to vertical (the closer, the better of course).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Sure. The Shakespeare stainless ratchet mounts I've used, and similar other brands, have 10-degreee notches and therefore allow only one position within +/- five degrees, pretty coarse to my eye although functionally fine. The five-degree wedge will help the aesthetics but the whip still won't be quite vertical. The pains of perfectionism, I guess.

_________________
Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

What sould be level?? If I was to be asked that question, I would say, "Nothing". Desks are meant to be pitched aft. This is so the water (sea, hose or rain) can run off. It it "looks" level, it is level. It's a boat, have fun with it!!

Well, FWIW, my boat floats stationary with a 0.75° port list, bow-down 0.75° with full fuel and water, empty waste and no one aboard. Each 8' antenna leans inboard about five degrees and forward about two degrees. I think I'll leave them as they are after all.

BTW, the galley surface does, in fact, appear to be a reasonable reference surface. It should be pretty accurate when adjusting trim while under way, i.e. it will fall three degrees to aft when the hull is trimmed to a three degree bowrise.

_________________
Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics