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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 EPIRBs ...		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/24/2005 :  09:40:17  Show Profile
Hi everyone,

'Just wondering ... what situations warrant having an EPIRB onboard?

We've got a lot of sailing experience here, and I'm curious about what the "collective wisdom" has to say.

Thanks for your opinions!
Buzz Maring

~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
Lake Dallas, TX
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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts
Response Posted - 06/24/2005 :  11:24:25  Show Profile
I would say that anytime you are out of VHF range, it could be useful. I have participated on many a search and rescues. Without a locater, you are invisible from the air. With one, sarsat picks you up AND has a GPS location of you. The personal models would be the best for this size of boat. And they are getting pretty cheap.

I guess I would buy one if I sailed on big water solo ship. I have seen fires, submerged objects and other "problems" take boats down.

NOAA has a good site on this topic.

Tom.
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Response Posted - 06/24/2005 :  17:02:47  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
Blue Water sailing. Not just out of VHF range but out of range of other boats. There will be times this summer when I am out of range of USCG or Vessel Assist but most likely could contact other boats who could relay.

Did you know that West Marine rents them? You can rent for a week or 2 if you were really headed out.

If a C25 stays coastal as designed, I don't think you would ever really need one. If I was sailing Newport (RI) to Bermuda, yes.
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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts
Response Posted - 06/26/2005 :  23:18:31  Show Profile  Visit Oscar's Homepage
Most definitely agree with the above, ie. out of VHF/Cellphone range, and/or out of Towboat US range (almost the same thing)....

But more broadly, the answer is anytime you would be hard to find, and/or if a delayed rescue would be a problem. So even 10 miles off shore at night.....or in an area of fast currents where your last known would change quickly.....or in crappy cold weather when every minute counts....

If the boat sank from under your feet in the middle of the Chesapeake, Long Island Sound or Lake Erie, on a weekday and no one saw you go down, and the water is 55 degrees.....how long would it take them to find you? Did you get a mayday out? Or did you go down quickly for whatever reason?

I have one, and I'm glad I do, whether I'm 200 miles off shore, or on the Chez at night....

If I remember correctly, four rentals for ten days, and it was break even with a purchase.
Edited by - Oscar on 06/26/2005 23:20:28
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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts
Response Posted - 06/27/2005 :  06:04:07  Show Profile
Oscar is right. (again). Your chances of being found in the water without a signaling device (flares) is around zero. With the personal epirbs getting cheaper every day, it will come to point where most of us will have them. Much like cell phones. If you have a PLB, you have a darn good chance of being picked up.

Tom.
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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts
Response Posted - 06/27/2005 :  23:44:12  Show Profile  Visit Oscar's Homepage
If memory serves the PLB's didn't test too hot.....maybe they have improved them. I got the full size, it's in a bracket just inside the companion way and has a tether built in so you can attach it to yourself....also has a strobe so it will bob next to you and do it's thing.

Not going to help me if I fall overboard by accident. But that's where the harness comes in.

Maybe I will revisit the PLB....
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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.