Bits and bobs type questions

david_e

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1 Hand held compass - Is it worth spending on these or are the cheapo Plastimo ones good enough?

2 Flares - is there a time of year when the fresh ones arrive at the chandlers ie they will have the longest shelf life

3 Life belt/horseshoe shaped thing - what is best way to put the name of your boat on?

4 Inflatable lifejackets - is 150N the most or do 14 stoners float OK with these and are the crutch straps easy to fit?

5 Are EPIRBS neccessary for coastal hopping?
 

jimi

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1 Get compass binos
2 Dinna ken
3 Pernament marker pen, electrical tape, Wet'n Wild (order of expense)
4 S/b OK in coastal waters
5 no IMHO
 

Twister_Ken

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H/held compasses - with GPS now usually only used for collision assessment - for which cheapy is good enough –actually the Plastimo Iris(?) is a fine piece of kit.

Flares - dunno

Life belt - stencil is cheap, easy, long lasting.

Lifejackets - dunno

Epirbs - don't think so - I've always regarded them as an offshore sort of thing. VHF and/or flares should do the trick coastal or in busy waters.
 

Magic_Sailor

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Hand held
I got a really good digital one that is cheaper than the Plastimo and all the others. It's brilliant, with a lot of simple to use but handy features. I'd thoroughly recommend it. If you like, PM me and I'll go to the boat this weekend and get the name (which currently escapes me).

Flares
I think shelf life is fairly long anyway - shopping around should solve this one.

Horse Shoe thingy
Depends on your budget. I used a think indelible marker. Did the trick.

Don't answer questions on the crutch area!

EPIRBS
Ultimately there's always a trade off with safety. One simply cannot afford everything. I have not invested in one for coastal hopping (I include a channel hope) - but if I did Biscay I definitely would get one.

Hope thats helpful. Don't forget the PM if you want.

Magic
 

Magic_Sailor

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Compass binos

I got some of these for my birthday but found them difficult to get a good fix. The electronic hand bearing I mentioned above has an excellent little button which allows you to "save" up to 9 fixes. So for a cocked hat you do 3 per fix and average them - simple and pretty accurate! And you can take it below to the chart table with all the data in it - no writing down!

Magic
 

jimi

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Re: Compass binos

Understand where you're coming from, I must admit I really just use the Compass binos for collision avoidance in the channel. Although when I have used them for bearings I find them easier to use than my hand bearing compass. I've got the Fujinon which are excellent value.
 

bedouin

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1. I think the cheap Plastimo is an excellent piece of kit. Good enough for anything I can think of.

2. Try buying flares from a major supplier (who will always have fresh stock) rather than your local chandler, who may have had them in stock for 6 months. I think you should be able to get 4 seasons from them

3. I'd like to know where to get those stick on letters - I used a stencil, but the ink is not as permanent as I'd hoped

4. You can get 275N LJs described as "Ocean" - supposed to be appropriate if you're sailing in fully wet weather gear and boots. Crutch straps are essential and easy to fit. Gents prefer the two strap system

5. Depends - I have a personal 406 EPIRB. For short handed sailing offshore you could question if there is any point wearing a LJ if you are not carrying an EPIRB. Personally I rate it was more important than a liferaft, but in the same category. Not essential but very reassuring.
 

Twister_Ken

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Re: Compass binos

Compass bins are buggers to use at night on buoys because of the realtively narrow field of view, and not too clever in heavy weather either when the image bounces around so much. Plus they are deuced heavy to hold up to your eye for any length of time.
 

dickh

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1) Try before you buy - if you wear specs you might have difficulty with the type you hold up to your eye. I have the Capstan which is held at arms length with a cord around your neck for steadiness - works very well but no longer available...)I bought the last one in the country about 6 years ago after the previous one lost it's fluid)
2) Ask your friendly chandler - they are usually good for 4 years. I usually buy 2 a year so I always have fresh ones and you continually turn over your stock.
3) Stick on letters from your chandler - clean the surface well before hand, If I remember I 'scrubbed' it with very fine emery cloth as well. Still on after 5 years.
4) You can get 275n lifejackets - noy sure about 14 stone for 150n - probably OK - speak to Crewsaver.
5) No - you will rely on VHF and Flares etc.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... :) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 

david_e

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Thanks all.

Me my old binos, Swift, are inseparable. My father gave them to me in 1976 when I went to sail in the Baltic, had em ever since. Want the hand held compass to try out all the tricks I've learn't on my Yachtmaster:))
 

jimi

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Re: Compass binos

Yes, but you need a pair of bins anyway so you might as well have compass ones. Must admit I've got the hand bearing compass as well though.
 

Twister_Ken

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Re: Compass binos

In my case I had the bins (E. German Zeiss 8x30) b4 the boat, so just had to buy a h/b compass. Actually, my seller had been so generous with what she left aboard that bins, h/b and charts were all I needed to add. There was even gin still in the locker!
 

jimi

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Re: Compass binos

8x 30 no wonder you've got a narrow field of vision! Mine's are 7 X 50 which I was advised was optimum for marine use?
 

pandroid

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My Twopennyworth

1. Plastimo one works for me

2. Chandlers tend to receive flare stocks in April, which is generally when you'll get the 'extra' year (or the old ones at better price)

3. We got our from SacGraphics. I have a vague memory that they came made up as a word, and 'ready bent' to go round the horsehoe but I may be wrong. In any case they are still there, years later.

4. The normal lb should be fine. The crutch straps just clip on but they are a pain.

5. EPIRB is a bit over the top for coastal cruising, but it seems its the only thing which almost always works....
 

Mirelle

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Bravo! A real sensible sailing question!

1. Hand held compass - depends how much use you plan to make of it. If you navigate mainly by GPS you won't be using it much. But an advantage of a good one (Sestrel Radiant still the best, I reckon) is that you can check the steering compass from it. A "Nice to have" but no longer a necessity.

2. Flares - I would not worry too much; they last for donkey's years anyway. Do as Tom Cunliffe recommends and keep the old set as well - they will certaily work.

3. Stick on letters - NOT from your chandler who will charge like a wounded bull but from your local car accessory shop at 1/3 of the price. abrade the surface a bit first.

4. 275 newton lifejacket is available but be warned - these make you totally immobile in the water once they inflate - you will be smartly turned on your back and kept that way. Yes you need crutch straps - the two strap sort - and they are not as bad as they seem once you are used to them.

5. No you certainly do not need an EPIRB for coastal hopping.
 

snooks

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Life Jacket answers

I've got a 275 Hammar Life jacket with the crutch straps and harness. The only reason I went for the 275 was the amount of camera equipment I have dangling from my neck. 150 should be alright for you. Also heard the 275 are hard to swim in (as mentioned in a previous posting), but if I was knocked out with 5kg of cameras round my head I'd like to think that I'd return to the surface the right way up!

Seriously consider the firing mechaism of the life jacket. Never had any problems with the Hammar system, and believe me, I get very wet in the job I do. The Hammar system should only fire when it reaches a certain depth, like 2 ft, so a soaking won't set it off, it also has the toggle to pull if you need to...The reason I chose this was if I go over the side knocked out or go into shock, the jacket will still inflate.

Crutch staps are easy to put on and comfortable to wear which I always do whenever I wear my life jacket. Therefore when I'm taking photographs I always wear the jacket and the straps (Av 3 days a week), the staps are a pain when you're not used to them, but once you get the right adjustment, firm without high-pitch they are unnoticeable. (I wear mine with shorts and T-shirt) If you lean back while you tighten them to a firm fit you shouldn't get any nasty surprises!!

Also buy a light and a pack of mini flares for your life jacket. Don't forget you might not go over the side in daylight
 

bigmart

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Here's my two pen'th for what its worth.

I have an electronic compass they are mush easier to use, particularly, if your eyesight is going like mine. Theres nothing wrong with the cheapies but check them out for ease of use.

Flares I buy as late in the year as possible & just go for the longest date. (Shop around)

I Hand painted mine with Black Tyre paint(works fine)

Some years ago I participated in a test of several types. Two majoe things I learnt were.

1/ never buy the type with the Zip Up Stole (3 out 0f 4 failed to open correctly in the test)

2/ If you wear the lifejacket without the crutch straps then you might as well save your money & not buy one at all. (Useless, to the point of dangerous, without crutch straps).

I'm over 18 stone & use a 275newton but I expect the 150N is perfectly OK.

Don't know about Epirbs. Can't afford one yet.

Martin
 
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