Safety Equipment and anchor advice needed.
Question:
I agree 100% with Larry, the Coast Guard course is a must, in fact before I even bought a boat my whole family went and got there cards. I do disagree with the oar observation for this reason, you will never try to paddle a 24′ boat in from a break down but an "alternate means of propulsion" is a required piece of safety equipment and might make that last few feet into the dock do’able or help with that type of manuver. I will tell you that as far as anchors go I am such a fan that I believe in having two, usually the second one is just a river anchor or some people call it a lunch anchor. Of course docking lines are essensial. My favorite and most often used piece of equipment that is so inexpensive it’s not even funny is a boat hook. The aluminium telescoping kind that floats. I often boat by myself and it helps me docking, holding the boat in place while others board if you don’t want to tie up, retrieving stuff from the water, hats and such. It has also proved invaluable to assist other boaters around docks, if they are coming in to fast or being blown away from the dock the long arm of a boat hook can make a big differend. Good luck and smooth sailing, Mike
Response:
The Power Squadron course is very good as well. Also buy a copy of Chapmans. Good to have on the boat at all times (Your mileage may differ) 350 SeaRay Sundancer 25′ Skamper 5ver —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
For the distances you’re going, I’d skip the EPIRB and spend it on other goodies. If you DO have to have an EPIRB, get a class A. Other items I’d mention would be a good compass, a waterproof handheld VHF with spare batteries (in case you abandon ship or the primary radio fails), and a bilge pump. Spare anchor and rode rigged and ready to use are good. 12 gauge flares are good, but parachute flares are MUCH better, albeit expensive. Maybe some smoke signals and dye markers too. I also second the comments on taking a safe boating course, and getting a copy of Chapman’s! Happy boating! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting my first boat – a 24′ open bow rider. I will travel on the NJ shore, Barnaget Bay and about 2-5 miles into the ocean I think…. I want to start buying the necessary things… – I plan on having, vests for each person a life saver ring I could throw flares gun, the highest reasonably available a VHF radio – 25 watt – medical safety kit EPIRB – Class B ( unless you strongly suggest Class A) Tool Kit Dual engine battery – will come with the boat. Maybe a charter/GPS… I may wait on this until next year for NYC boat show. What am I missing…. do I need an oar?… Regarding the ANCHOR… the boat doesn’t come with one and I image the dealer will be rather expensive. I would rather shop for the best one I should get now but I don’t know anything about them…. I have seen some different styles and weights and would appreciate your help is deciding which one is most appropriate. (The boat has a hatch in the bow area to store it) Thank you for your assistance. Louis- NJ
Response:
Louis: Don’t know much about the NJ shore but here in Southeast Alaska you would definitely want a small kicker motor in the 10 hp range, preferably plumbed with its own fuel tank. A kicker plumbed to your main tank doesn’t do you much good if you’re out of gas or if you have bad gas. You’ll also want a depth sounder/fishfinder for navigation even if you don’t fish. If I had to chose only one item for navigation: radar, GPS, or depth sounder, I’d get the depth sounder. You couldn’t safely enter some of the moorages around here or know where to anchor without a depth sounder. Other items to put on your list? Good waterproof binoculars, preferably 35X50, backup bilge pump or hand pump, spare plugs, spare prop & prop wrench, spare fuses, fire extinguisher. The spending just doesn’t stop! For anchor reviews and good equipment info go to your local library and look through the back copies of Powerboat Reports if they have it. It’s basically the Consumer Reports of boating. Kent Lind Juneau, Alaska – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting my first boat – a 24′ open bow rider. I will travel on the NJ shore, Barnaget Bay and about 2-5 miles into the ocean I think…. I want to start buying the necessary things… – I plan on having, vests for each person a life saver ring I could throw flares gun, the highest reasonably available a VHF radio – 25 watt – medical safety kit EPIRB – Class B ( unless you strongly suggest Class A) Tool Kit Dual engine battery – will come with the boat. Maybe a charter/GPS… I may wait on this until next year for NYC boat show. What am I missing…. do I need an oar?… Regarding the ANCHOR… the boat doesn’t come with one and I image the dealer will be rather expensive. I would rather shop for the best one I should get now but I don’t know anything about them…. I have seen some different styles and weights and would appreciate your help is deciding which one is most appropriate. (The boat has a hatch in the bow area to store it) Thank you for your assistance. Louis- NJ
Response:
A GPS system is far more important for your safety than EPIRB. Same is with depth sounder, it is a must have item. Without it, you WILL run aground. If you have a GPS, a depth sounder/fishfinder, you might never have a need to use a EPIRB:) igor
Uh…well, no. An EPIRB is an essential piece of equipment for a coastal or offshore boater, because it pinpoints and broadcasts your position in case you need rescue, especially if your boat is foundering or worse. I can easily do without the convenience of a GPS and, in fact, rarely use the ones I have. Some of use can still navigate without electronics. — Harry Krause Youth is a gift of nature. Age is a work of art.
Response:
Uh…well, no. An EPIRB is an essential piece of equipment for a coastal or offshore boater, because it pinpoints and broadcasts your position in case you need rescue, especially if your boat is foundering or worse.
Correct, but this boater is only talking about going 2-5 miles offshore and staying in the bay. Flares and a radio would be better then an epirb. And even if he did buy an epirb, unless it is interfaced with a GPS (or the new $2000 integral GPS units) it would be a waste of money. Besides class A & B epirbs are being phased out, leaving only $600 and above category I & II practical. I can easily do without the convenience of a GPS and, in fact, rarely use the ones I have. Some of use can still navigate without electronics.
Electronics make it easy. But for diving and fishing I wouldn’t want to be without my LORAN and GPS. Duane
Response:
I can easily do without the convenience of a GPS and, in fact, rarely use the ones I have. Some of use can still navigate without electronics. Electronics make it easy. But for diving and fishing I wouldn’t want to be without my LORAN and GPS. Duane
(My lady calls Herr Garmin a "toy"..) Note that my first recommendation was a compass and depth sounder. Having said that, a GPS comes in handy, especially for the novice boater, for such things as telling you about drift or tidal currents, and makes a Mayday call easier – the CC can find you faster if you give accurate Lat/Long than "well, I’m a mile or two west of a big point, maybe northwest…" And for $200, why not? (but don’t get it INSTEAD of a compass/depth sounder!) Lloyd Sumpter "Far Cove" Catalina 36 – c/w 4 compasses and depth sounder to help Herr Garmin — "watching broadcast nus /i see th salmon talks will / resume on monday / well thank god at leest th / salmon ar talking" – Bill Bissett
Response:
Your bowrider has a cover, I hope. If it doesn’t, the first big wave you nose into sets you up for the next and pretty soon you could be full. Your bilge pumps will never keep up. I use a pole and lace a rope across the cleats and rails to provide extra support. I add a handheld VHF and kicker motor to that list.
Response:
The idea of waves crashing over the bow isn’t very pleasant… The boat will be coming with a compass and a dept finder, and water and air temp gauges. I can’t believe all the great advise that everyone has offered… Although money is always an issue, in this case safety comes first. One item that was clarified for me, was the epirbs. I was thinking about the class b units running about $200. With that being phased out, it confirmed that I should spend the $600 or so and get the satellite version – category II. I am going to better fill my safety kit with the ice packs and other stuff I already purchased a telescoping hoop / pusher. I am going to get a hand VHF (Icom MV1) AND the 25 watt VHF. I just purchased a roll of 250ft or 300ft of 1/2 dock line for the anchor and what ever… I separately purchased a bunch of 1/2 inch actual dock lines. Flares will be the parachute type Thanks everyone…. PS what is a good place to buy these things?…. www.consumersmarine.com is where I first visited and prices seem fine… I little higher here and lower there, but on balance…
Response:
First, I agree about the boating safety course. I donno about the US, but in Canada there are REQUIRED safety items for boats of various lengths. For instance, I believe a 24′ boat requires (among other things) a fire extinguisher, flares, an anchor, as well a bilge pump or bailing bucket. These items should be supplied by the boat salesman (ie it should be sold with all required safety equipment). I’d DEFINITELY have some some sort of nav equipment – at least a compass and depth sounder. An inexpensive GPS is a good idea as well. Finally, CHARTS! Buy them. Learn how to read them. Use them. As for an anchor – it depends on what kind of bottom you’re anchoring to. Ask around – what do others who go where you’re going use? My CQR is too heavy for your boat – I’d use a Danforth around here. But they’re good for mud or sand – not so good for rock and useless for kelp. For those types of bottoms, some swear by the good ‘ol Navy anchor. And get maybe 10 ft or so of chain and at least 100ft of line for the anchor "rode" (the line from the anchor to the boat). Hope this helps! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Louis, The first thing you must do immediately is get yourself into a Safe Boating Course, offered by the US Power Squadron or the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Please don’t go boating without it. I’m probably forgetting stuff too, but your list seems about right. IMHO, I don’t think you need the EPIRB unless you are going offshore. If you are staying in protected waters, it may be extraneous. I repeat – take that Boating Course NOW!! You’ll learn all this stuff and lots and lots more. You can find one here: http://www.usps.org/ I am getting my first boat – a 24′ open bow rider. I will travel on the NJ shore, Barnaget Bay and about 2-5 miles into the ocean I think…. I want to start buying the necessary things… – I plan on having, vests for each person a life saver ring I could throw flares gun, the highest reasonably available a VHF radio – 25 watt – medical safety kit EPIRB – Class B ( unless you strongly suggest Class A) Tool Kit Dual engine battery – will come with the boat. Maybe a charter/GPS… I may wait on this until next year for NYC boat show. What am I missing…. do I need an oar?… Regarding the ANCHOR… the boat doesn’t come with one and I image the dealer will be rather expensive. I would rather shop for the best one I should get now but I don’t know anything about them…. I have seen some different styles and weights and would appreciate your help is deciding which one is most appropriate. (The boat has a hatch in the bow area to store it) Thank you for your assistance. Louis- NJ
– "watching broadcast nus /i see th salmon talks will / resume on monday / well thank god at leest th / salmon ar talking" – Bill Bissett
Response:
Louis, The first thing you must do immediately is get yourself into a Safe Boating Course, offered by the US Power Squadron or the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Please don’t go boating without it. I’m probably forgetting stuff too, but your list seems about right. IMHO, I don’t think you need the EPIRB unless you are going offshore. If you are staying in protected waters, it may be extraneous. Also IMHO – make sure the first aid kit includes some of those instant freeze ice packs and ace bandages. Most common injuries I know of on the boat are bumps and sprains. Also, keep a good assortment of bandages and antiseptic for cuts, scrapes and burns. Most people feel an oar is pretty much useless. But an anchor is absolutely essential. Do not take your boat out without one. If you lose power you can always drop the anchor and wait it out while you call for help on the VHF. Trying to paddle a 24 foot powerboat with an oar is an exercise in futility. While you’re at it, join Boat/US and get their towing service. It’ll come in handy one day, trust me. The life saver ring (Jim Buoy) is almost useless unless you have a line attached to it so you can pull it back to the boat. I repeat – take that Boating Course NOW!! You’ll learn all this stuff and lots and lots more. You can find one here: http://www.usps.org/ I’ve taken the course three times in my boating experience. I plan on taking it again here in Oyster Bay in May. Great way to meet other boaters, too. Larry Weiss "…Ever After!" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting my first boat – a 24′ open bow rider. I will travel on the NJ shore, Barnaget Bay and about 2-5 miles into the ocean I think…. I want to start buying the necessary things… – I plan on having, vests for each person a life saver ring I could throw flares gun, the highest reasonably available a VHF radio – 25 watt – medical safety kit EPIRB – Class B ( unless you strongly suggest Class A) Tool Kit Dual engine battery – will come with the boat. Maybe a charter/GPS… I may wait on this until next year for NYC boat show. What am I missing…. do I need an oar?… Regarding the ANCHOR… the boat doesn’t come with one and I image the dealer will be rather expensive. I would rather shop for the best one I should get now but I don’t know anything about them…. I have seen some different styles and weights and would appreciate your help is deciding which one is most appropriate. (The boat has a hatch in the bow area to store it) Thank you for your assistance. Louis- NJ
Response:
I am getting my first boat – a 24′ open bow rider. I will travel on the NJ shore, Barnaget Bay and about 2-5 miles into the ocean I think…. I want to start buying the necessary things… – I plan on having, vests for each person a life saver ring I could throw flares gun, the highest reasonably available a VHF radio – 25 watt – medical safety kit EPIRB – Class B ( unless you strongly suggest Class A) Tool Kit Dual engine battery – will come with the boat. Maybe a charter/GPS… I may wait on this until next year for NYC boat show. What am I missing…. do I need an oar?… Regarding the ANCHOR… the boat doesn’t come with one and I image the dealer will be rather expensive. I would rather shop for the best one I should get now but I don’t know anything about them…. I have seen some different styles and weights and would appreciate your help is deciding which one is most appropriate. (The boat has a hatch in the bow area to store it) Thank you for your assistance. Louis- NJ
