Berthing / communication

cpedw said:
That may be good if there's a phone signal.

More economically, google "motorbike intercom" for a welter of solutions.
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There is usually phone signal near marinas.

The problem with the motorbike stuff, is that they are all designed to go inside a helmet, and I don't think that would be a good look on a boat (other than an AC yacht)
 
Poey50 said:
Eartec Ultralight ... just superb.

2 Person Kit Nymrod Comms
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+1 We have the older ones with belt mounted transceiver and superlight headsets, bought some years back in he USA Thankfully your link also shows a UK Voltage charger we can use rather than cobble together adapters from 110V Yes we can communicate silently via signals but these allow for a bit of unintended blue language without offending others nearby or waking them up If arrival at night:ROFLMAO:
 
The intercom function on VHF radios is meant to solve this problem, sending the signal from the mic to a speaker on deck. Although this might be a good solution at sea, who wants to listen to you barking orders as you attempt to berth? Also it doesn't provide for two-way comms. Of course, the real solution is to have a competent crew who knows what to do when given their positions.

Maplins used to do a set of four coded walkie-talkies for not much, but alas they are no more. No doubt you'd still be able to get equivalent on the internet.

Bobc said:
Look what I just found

Best mobile phone walkie-talkie apps
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Looks like it could be useful.
 
If you google ‘BT interphone‘ you will find Bluetooth linked headsets. I use them for hockey umpiring with a boom mic but “secret service” headsets are more common. They won’t survive a dunking but they are ok in heavy rain. They are about £60 each. These ones can link (if I recall correctly) upto 5 users.
 
Robin said:
+1 We have the older ones with belt mounted transceiver and superlight headsets, bought some years back in he USA Thankfully your link also shows a UK Voltage charger we can use rather than cobble together adapters from 110V Yes we can communicate silently via signals but these allow for a bit of unintended blue language without offending others nearby or waking them up If arrival at night:ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...

We bought ours after a strong wind mooring incident at Lezardrieux following a tiring passage. The flareup of bad feelings spoiled the day. I can honestly say that, in the two seasons since, the ability to speak quietly to each other while not needing to look at each other so we can concentrate on our particular task, has transformed anchoring and picking up a mooring. It has become completely stress-free.
 
davidpbo said:
I don't know whether others have covered it in the thread but PMR Radios would seem to be to be there simple cheap solution. I don't know if an equivalent is available to the original poster if not in the UK.

Choose your specification and accessories.

pmr radios - Google Search
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+1 for PMR, you can easily get headsets for them and the nippers love them when ashore. The Nimrod ones look v nice but a bit ott on the price front for my pocket.
 
Cloud 5 said:
It’s my choice , on 14 m yacht with my family
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Very true. A good briefing and a bit of practice will cut down the need to communicate.

I sail on a 30 meter vessel on two or three times a year with a new crew every trip. Very little communication goes on while berthing as we all have set tasks and know when to do that.
 
Poey50 said:
We bought ours after a strong wind mooring incident at Lezardrieux following a tiring passage. The flareup of bad feelings spoiled the day. I can honestly say that, in the two seasons since, the ability to speak quietly to each other while not needing to look at each other so we can concentrate on our particular task, has transformed anchoring and picking up a mooring. It has become completely stress-free.
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again +1

Before getting the real deal ones I made a pair adapted from kids toy walkie talkie headsets bought on Lymington market (£10 IIRC)t. Article was in PBO (not from me). All that was needed was to extend the over the head strap to fit an adult head, I cut the original in half and used a ladies plastic hairband and self amalgamating tape to extend it. These were fully duplex but 'mono,' ie only one ear was 'live.' range around 30 yards.
 
If the nay-sayers can do without and never have a miscommunication, good for them, but there have been times when I could have used a couple of headsets on my 24 footer, to the point where I looked at the possibility, but was put off by the cost. A phone with an earpiece/mike could work, but I wouldn't have anything hand-held - I want one hand to do whatever I'm doing and one to hold on, especially if it's windy enough that we can't hear each other reliably

Robin said:
I made a pair adapted from kids toy walkie talkie headsets bought on Lymington market (£10 IIRC)t. Article was in PBO (not from me). All that was needed was to extend the over the head strap to fit an adult head, I cut the original in half and used a ladies plastic hairband and self amalgamating tape to extend it. These were fully duplex but 'mono,' ie only one ear was 'live.' range around 30 yards.
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Now that's an interesting idea.
 
Stemar said:
If the nay-sayers can do without and never have a miscommunication, good for them, but there have been times when I could have used a couple of headsets on my 24 footer, to the point where I looked at the possibility, but was put off by the cost. A phone with an earpiece/mike could work, but I wouldn't have anything hand-held - I want one hand to do whatever I'm doing and one to hold on, especially if it's windy enough that we can't hear each other reliably


Now that's an interesting idea.
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I suppose the toy ones are still around somewhere. I saw similar ones in the USA sold by John Dear Tractor dealers, presumably for farmer's kiddos. They need a battery like a PP9 and are not rechargeable.
 
Maybe I'm looking at it too simply but a lot of the solutions above appear to be expensive and additional two way radio systems that are probably not really suited to the marine environment. Most boats and I suspect a 14m one that the OP is on, will have a VHF set at the helm. Just get a small hand held for under £100 and use an intership channel which is then useful in all marine situations. For a wee bit more you can get a remote mic for some hand-helds.

Too many complex solutions to a simple non problem.
 
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