Step 1: Print the Pole Solution detail page – this is an Adobe PDF type file – click HERE to load the form.

For a Radar pole:

Step 2: Determine the height of the bottom of the radar antenna above the point at which the base of the pole will attach to the transom or deck. Hints – this height is regulated by the following – 1) the height of a persons head when standing on deck in close proximity to the radar (to avoid fried brain!); 2) the height of the boom (to avoid a big black line across the screen). This is typically 90” – 105” above deck.

Step 3: Measure down 37”. This is the exposed length the top section of the pole (the 2-1/2” diameter tube).

Step 3: The remaining distance down the base is the length of the lower tube (the 3” diameter tube).

Step 4: Select the closest lower section length from the detail page you printed in step 1.

Step 5: Now that you know the length of the lower tube hold a stick, broom handle, boat hook, or similar, in the place where the pole will mount. Mark the height of the lower tube. This represents the point at which the support struts will attach.

Step 6: Measure approximately the length of the support struts from this mark to the deck, transom, or toe rail that the struts will be attached to. We generally advise people to consider two things when selecting the strut positions – 1) the struts should radiate at close to 90 degrees from each other if possible. Usually this ends up more like 110 degrees. This much is still acceptable, but try not to open the angle up too much as it will affect the stability of the whole unit – 2) As rule the struts should extend out about 24” from the pole, but remember, more is merrier. The struts usually stay outside the lifelines just to keep the deck free, but there are no strict criteria. Sometimes it pays to have the aft strut (the one going across the boat) inside the stern rail. This allows room for the outboard to sit on the rail.

Step 7: Refer to the detail page again, and select suitable strut lengths from the list offered there. Note: select a tube length that will be shortened to the correct size. Our unique struts system requires no drilling – just unscrew the top end of the pole, cut to length, and reinstall the top end. The long threaded stud screws down into the lower end of the tube where it is retained inside a vinyl tube which stops it rattling. Strong, secure, and simple!

Step 8: Print out the order form - this is an Adobe PDF type file – click HERE to load the form. Fill it out and fax it to Kato Marine or call or email us. We accept Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Be sure to specify the radar make and type so that we give you the correct top mounting plate (i.e. “Ray Marine 2 kilowatt”)

For a Wind Generator pole:

This is generally the same as the radar pole – the difference being that the wind generator pole has a third section of tube, or more specifically, pipe. In this case the pipe is sized to the type of wind generator and uses Delrin sleeves inside the 2-1/2” tube. The length of pipe is usually determined by the diameter of the wind generator and we try to have the bottom of the blades 2” – 3” above the delrin sleeve. So step 2 looks like this:-

Determine how high the bottom of the blades should be above the base. Subtract 3”, this gives us the top of the upper 2-1/2” section of tube. This tube is always 37” long (exposed tube).

Now go to step 3 above.

Example:
Kiss Wind generator
Bottom of the blades 92” over the deck
Base to be 7” down the transom

Therefore:
The bottom of the blades will be at 99” above the base
Less 3” to the top of the 2-1/2” tube = 96”
Less 37” for the 2-1/2” tube length = 59”
Now, the closest lower tube length available is either the 56” length or the 62” length. We don’t want to go shorter as the 99” to the blades was our minimum, so we select the 62” lower tube.
It appears the struts with a 53” – 74” range would be the right size for this setup. This is based on the top of the 3” tube being 55” above the deck (62” – 7”) – see step 6 above.

So we would provide:
A 62” lower tube
A 37” (exposed) middle tube
A 28” (exposed) upper pipe to fit the wind generator
Two struts adjustable from 53” to 74” with bases
A pole base and backing plate