Association Forum - A handful of VHF questions

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

A handful of VHF questions

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Previous Page | Next Page

Author

Topic

Page: of 5

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 20:05:05

...and Jim sails on autopilot on the Pacific 5+miles off the beach, with kelp beds in between, and messes with hank-on headsails and such. Hmmmmmmmm....

A very well-known Trailersailor.com participant calling himself "Doc"--a life-long, ardent sailor--had "something" happen a few years back. Boat found adrift... Remember that, some of you?? I don't know whether anybody knows what happened--if anyone does, it was never communicated to his admiring sailing community. But it was a shocker.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/27/2008 20:12:26

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 20:55:20

If you are single handing, at least attach a VHF Radio to yourself. It could mean the difference between a save and..., well you know. Bad way to go.

Know your coordinates as well when single handing. Be prepared to call in and get your ass out of their if your boat leaves you.

Sten

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 21:00:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 I wear a harness and use a jackline whenever I'm singlehanding, It only has to happen once, and you might not get a chance to learn from your mistake. Machismo doesn't have anything to do with it. It's a matter of sound judgment.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Steve, good for you. BTW, did u say before a Mustang autoinflate? Or just the harness?
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 01/27/2008 21:32:32

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 21:11:17

I now wear a harness whenever going up to do much of anything. we have had jacklines port and starboard for sometime now and my wife gets mad when I "forget" to clip on. Makes sense even with company.

Sten

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 21:34:33

Sten, I have heard others say 1 jackline is acceptable for our size. Your thoughts?
Steve A

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 06:10:16

I have the Sospenders autoinflating pfd with safety harness, but I've heard the Mustang is a good one. If you have jacklnes on both sides, you can clip on to whichever side is the high side when you go forward. If you're going to fall, the likelihood is that you'll fall down to the low side of the boat, rather than up and over the liflines and then down into the water. That's not to say it won't happen, but the odds are in your favor.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 08:03:38

Steve A, Steve Milby has it right. But on our C25 we admittedly only had one lifeline. You can buy the webbing from Sailrite and custom make them so that they are tight and cheap. I ran the lifeline from the port cleat up to a shackle on the mast step and then to the port bow cleat. I did this to avoid my dodger.

ALSO - forgot to post this, but since we are talking safety. WEST MARINE tether is a piece of crap. OFFSHORE 30 NM's I pulled the release pin to go down below and the whole thing fell apart in my hands. They replaced it immediately and admitted that it happens all of the time! I am going to cough up the real money for a Wichard tether from Defender now.

Sten

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 11:42:42

We never leave the dock without everyone wearing a PFD no matter what the conditions. We use the WM auto-inflatables but Practical Sailor likes the Mustangs too. When we go off of our lake into salt water everyone wears a WM harness (PS likes them) and uses a tether. We don't run a jackline but we have tether attatchment points (Wichard folding pad eyes) around the cockpit area. I also have an extra tether attached to the mast step. If there is a need to go forward we attach our tether to that tether which gives enough length to go forward. Leaving the cockpit is rare since we have a furler. We don't have personal EPIRBs but that is on the list. Maybe we'll use our $1600 rebate from the feds to get a few!!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/28/2008 11:43:30

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

Members Avatar

844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 13:53:40

It's basically a safety issue. Still your boat, your choice, but the USCG excerpt was important.

Here's what we do here on San Francisco Bay.

Fixed radio, no scanner, just used for contacts when we're down below.

Have had scanning handhelds for dozens of years, wouldn't go out without one.

Monitor: Channel 16, Channel 14 for Vessel Traffic Service - great to know what's going on with the big guys; Channel 12 - every half hour on the 15 and 45 advises on big guy traffic outside the Gate - extremely useful once past the Golden Gate Bridge and sometimes inside; other Channels depending on what we're doing (racing, previously agreed upon hailing, etc.); Channel 09 for bridge openings here - I use it a lot since I circumnavigate Alameda island very often.

The newer scanning radios have all sorts of different scanning modes, but for four or five stations the basic scan mode works just fine.

Our newest handheld, a Horizons H270, has rechargeable batteries plus an alkaline tray. The older ones all had alkaline trays which we used.

We play music or listen to sports both "down below" and through our cockpit speakers and still monitor the VHF - it's simply not that hard to be safety-concious.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 01/28/2008 13:54:48

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 15:15:57

I figure wearing the lifejacket would only postpone my death if I went in the water. I prefer to stay on board. I do have one rule, if its time to reef, its time to put it on.

I threw that comment in because I figured it would make as big a flame war at this one!

No offense taken, nor did I ever mean to give any.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 15:25:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
 I figure wearing the lifejacket would only postpone my death if I went in the water. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It's been said that sailors during the time of Magellan et al, refused to learn to swim for precisely the same reason.

My brother was swept from the deck of a Navy vessel some 50 years ago and was never found. I've wondered occasionally if he had on a life jacket and watched the lights of his vessel sail off in a storm at night. I hope that he went to Davy Jones quickly. I can think of no worse way to go than lingering on the surface for days before dying.

Wow, did this thread take a maudlin turn.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 15:57:02

So now I've gotten to thinking (a dangerous thing), for single-handing, about a trip-line, maybe 100' long, trailing in the water, that could disconnect the autopilot from the tiller, allowing the boat to turn itself into the wind... or maybe a similar line the sailor can clip on when he goes forward...

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 21:15:58

OK, I agree watching the boat sail off and slowly perishing would be a bad way to go. Hence the need for a tether.

But, better yet, I see Personal Locater Beacons (PLBs) on sale at nautical stores for $600. These devices are small EPIRBs, have built in GPS, and will notify the authorities, via satellite, of your location in minutes. Shouldn't we all have one of these on our PFD? For the sailor who is lost near the coast I would think this is a real life-saver.

Check it out [url="http://www.acrelectronics.com/"]here[/url] and then select "products" and then "406 PLBs" and you will see two different models. The Aquafix even floats. Really, don't you think these should be standard equipment when offshore??

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/28/2008 21:33:42

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2008 : 21:40:51

EPIRBs are great, but staying on the boat is the first priority, and being able to get back on is second (and an issue for a singlehander with an autopilot). In the water around here, till about mid-July, you won't last long enough to be found with your EPIRB.

BTW, how about the "mast pulpits" in the latest Sail Magazine?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/28/2008 21:43:38

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2008 : 05:47:29

With the ongoing expense of maintenance and upgrades and dock fees, as well as my son's college tuition, I haven't been able to bring myself to part with $600. for a personal EPIRB, but I have a whistle and a strobe light attached to my pfd. ($12. to $30. at West Marine) If anyone's looking for me, they'll be able to see me, night or day, from a long ways away. Also, my handheld VHF is supposed to be waterproof.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2008 : 18:22:12

Hello Folks,
I learned this past weekend that channel 9 is used for hailing, and 16 for emergencies on Oneida Lake - - near Central New York. Most sailors at the marina have radios that scan.

I recognize my need to learn all the rules, regulations, and protocols pertaining to the use of a marine radio. This thread has helped. Thanks

Deric

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2008 : 18:51:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 
BTW, how about the "mast pulpits" in the latest Sail Magazine?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dave, I read that article calling them "granny bars". I do ocean sailing so they would probably come in handy but they look ugly. And take up too much room on our small boats.
Speaking of Sail, I really liked the little blurb on page 10 re planning a trip using navquest.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2008 : 20:01:40

How 'bout the guy in the 23-footer in the shipping lane on Puget Sound past dusk with no radio, no lights, and apparently no anything else except his cell phone, staring at a container ship as he sat becalmed with an outboard that wouldn't start??

"Hello, information? Could you get me the number for the container ship approaching xxxx lighthouse? ...and QUICK??" Not that the ship would be able to stop, but it might have been yelling at him on 16, if it could have seen him... And he had the balls to describe what he "did right"!!

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2008 : 22:13:18

Dave, And on board was his mom and kid. Yikes. What would have happened if he didn't catch a breeze?
What about his hindsight's:not having the proper "alternative"form of propulsion, like a spare outboard?
Anyway, it made for interesting reading.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 01/29/2008 22:14:45

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2008 : 16:02:22

Well last night I completed the course, passed the exam and got the certificate. Now I need to get the radio hooked up...

Thanks all for your input on this thread.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2008 : 16:08:07

10-4 good buddy!

Sorry, couldn't resist. Congratulations!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2008 : 16:16:09

Good work, Chris... Now you're the authority! (...except that your talking about Canadian regs.) Anyway, what have we missed in the discussion so far?

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2008 : 18:23:07

Cdn certification is valid in the US and US cert is valid in Canada.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2008 : 18:28:18

No one mentioned that getting the license means you sat in the class for four weeks and have only taken the first step. I'm sure that a lifetime of paying attention to proper procedure and picking up the things that are well done, while recognizing those that aren't are quite valuable as well.

The biggest surprise for me was the "other Coast Guard working channels." I simply wasn't aware of the idea of hailing the CG on a channel other than 16 to keep their main portal clear.

Also the importance of moving traffic off 16 as quickly as possible. For instance, if I already know you are on, then rather than hail, wait for a reply, call back with a channel switch, wait for a reply, then switch, the first call could be "Passage, Passage, this is Iris, go two-one, over"

Your reply would be "Iris this is Passage, two-one roger, Out"

It means less for the CG to listen to, and less talking for us.

The other thing that I think is scary, mostly because I don't understand the technology, is that with a DSC radio, there is no requirement to maintain a watch on 16. I guess the thinking is that if a non-dsc call goes out, the CG will sound the alarm or something. I don't know, but I was surprised. It seems to me that if you weren't listeneing and you missed the initial transmission, then you wouldn't get the details of the vessel in distress even if you were able to get there to lend assistance.

I also made some friends, and know the call names of a dozen boaters on the lake who I can count on to lend a hand, and a few who I now know to leave a bit of berth for.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1520 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2008 : 18:56:59

Congratulations, Chris! You have important skills to add to your safety and fun now.

I think that some of the sailors who are reading these disparate opinions and wondering what is best in their own circumstance might benefit from another reading of Chapman.

I got a good feel for what the C25 can do, mostly by sailing over 5 years on the Narragansett Bay with my friend, nicknamed Hardcore, by some locals there. He has told me about enough wild times for many lifetimes of sailing.

And when I started using my own, new, old boat on the Chesapeake, it has been fun to push its limits in big wind and waves while still keeping the VHF and the other emergency gear ready.

JimB seems to have a good handle, like my friend Hardcore, on what the realistic dangers in his locale are, and how to deal with them.

It seems there is so much to learn about each sailing ground, such as the possibility of whale collision with a completely silent boat in Monterey Bay or the danger of fog banks and traffic off of Maine.

I find the C25 really forgiving and safe in most conditions near shore. I am also thankful for this forum and for all you sailing nuts.

Edited by - on

Page: of 5

Topic

Previous Page | Next Page

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.