Radar mount for IP 27

I am looking for suggestions regarding installation of a Garmin Radar to the mast of a 1990 IP 27. If you have installed radar on this mast you will know what my challenge is. The mast has two grooves on the exterior forward side of the mast. These grooves support two plastic conduits inside the mast. The conduits hold all of the wiring (ie mast head light, VHF antennae, etc).

We bought the correct Seaview radar support for the Garmin but the bracket screw holes to mount the bracket to the mast are unfortunately in the wrong place for this mast. If we try to drill the mast to insert the screws we drill into the internal conduit and mostly likely drill into the wires.

My guess is we have to try and modify the bracket or hopefully some one has discovered a bracket that will work without modification.

If anyone has a suggestion from experience mounting a radar to the mast of a IP 27 -- I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,
Michael

You'll probably have to do this mast down to make absolutely sure you don't interfere with what's going on inside the mast already. Did you consider mounting the radar on a backstay (facing aft) using a self-leveling mount? May not be able to get the unit as high up, but the cable run will be shorter and it will be out of the way of the headsails. I hope you'll be able to share photos of the final installation, including placement and mounting of the radar display.

Michael Luskin
"Turtleheart" IP27-146
Scarsdale, NY