Getting the Most from Your Radar — Seminar at CruiserPort University

Eric Kunz, a leading expert in marine electronics and senior product manager at Furuno USA, will join the CruiserPort University faculty at the Newport International Boat Show to present “Getting the Most from Your Radar.” Kunz will bring Furuno’s latest solid-state Doppler radome, the DRS4D‑NXT, as a hands-on teaching aid to illustrate modern radar features and practical techniques for mariners.

Joining Kunz at the head of the class is veteran presenter Bob Sweet, a long-time marine trainer and author of several how‑to boating guides, including The Weekend Navigator. The radar seminar is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 16, from 3:30–5:30 p.m., and is one of the seminars offered at CruiserPort University during the Newport show.

The seminar is designed to benefit boaters who use radar systems of any make or vintage. While attendees of every experience level can gain useful tips, the session will use the Furuno DRS4D‑NXT as a demonstration platform to show how modern solid‑state Doppler radars work and how current technologies differ from older pulse‑magnetron radars. Participants can expect practical, real‑world guidance on getting reliable target returns, improving situational awareness, and reducing false echoes in various conditions.

Solid‑state Doppler radar represents a major evolution in marine radar technology. Where traditional pulse radar systems relied on high‑power magnetron pulses, many modern radars use solid‑state transmitters and advanced signal processing to produce clearer, more stable images, often with continuous multi‑frequency scanning and Doppler processing that helps distinguish moving targets from stationary clutter. The DRS4D‑NXT is an example of this next generation of radomes, offering features that make target detection, collision avoidance, and close‑range navigation more effective when properly configured.

Topics you can expect to be covered in the seminar include practical setup and tuning of radar displays, interpreting returns in coastal and offshore situations, basic strategies for dealing with sea and rain clutter, and tips on using Doppler information to identify and prioritize contacts. The presenters aim to give attendees clear, actionable steps that they can apply on their own boats, regardless of the radar brand installed.

“Getting the Most from Your Radar” is available for individual purchase. Individual seminar admission is priced at $60, or attendees can opt for a VIP pass that provides access to multiple classes at a discounted package rate. Note that there are two extended, eight‑hour specialty seminars—Nigel Calder’s “Diesel Engines: Maintenance & Troubleshooting” and “Troubleshooting Marine Electrical Systems”—which are separate, full‑day offerings and are not included in the VIP pass package.

CruiserPort is organized by the same team behind TrawlerFest, but CruiserPort is aimed at a broader audience of cruisers and aspiring cruisers, whether under power or sail. The event is supported by publishers of several boating magazines, including Soundings, SAIL, Power & Motoryacht, Yachts International, Angler’s Journal, and PassageMaker, which helps shape seminar content toward practical cruising skills and equipment knowledge.

Senior Electronics Editor Ben Ellison gave the Furuno DRS4D‑NXT a positive review in his Panbo blog, highlighting the radar’s performance and feature set. Those interested in in‑depth evaluations may find his perspective useful when considering how modern Doppler radomes compare to older radar technologies.

If you plan to attend the Newport International Boat Show, the CruiserPort University radar seminar is a practical opportunity to learn from experienced trainers and a product specialist who can demonstrate current radar capabilities firsthand. Whether you’re upgrading to a newer radar or learning to get more from the equipment already aboard, the class promises to deliver clear instruction and actionable advice for safer, more confident navigation at sea.