My gear works and I refuse to change !!

[Guest]

I have tried, trusted and good working gear on my boat ... does not need repair and has many more years use out of it left .... but some 'person' decides that I have to change for some new fangled gear that a) has led to CG call-outs for more false alarms than a Greek baby with a microphone ! It's expensive, reduces my finances to cruise as I spend out on this 'junk' ... well I'm sorry to announce to the Chandlers and BMFA etc. - I am stopping the cash flow out !! I am shall sink or swim with my gear that can call out on all channels of VHF, my 15 yr old GPS that takes a little longer to log-in, but since SD was switched off is as accurate as I need ... etc. etc. etc. I have no RCD classification on my 1975 vintage boat - but I can guarantee that my boat will still punch waves for many a year to come .......

Anyone else feel uptight anbout evolution of boating ????

 

[Twister_Ken]

It\'s sailors like you...

Well, of course, if you want to sail without a radar, a chartplotter, a nose hair trimmer, a microwave, a waterbed and a gobbling teasmaid then it's entirely up to you. Remember though, you'll lose the pleasure of installing a wind generator, solar panels, an inverter and a battery bank that would keep a diesel submarine underwater until the next world cup.

Because your boat will be so much lighter than a properly equipped one, you'll get there first, tie up in the marina berth closest to the shower block and book the best table in the restaurant. You selfish swine.

If that's the way you want to go sailing then good luck to you, but when the inspector from the newly merged MCA/RYA/RNLI carries out your next MOT, I hope he throws the book at you; preferably one of those big heavy almanaccy things (if you've got one aboard, and not the free Portsmouth tide tables from the chandler).

 

[Rob_Webb]

In general I have no gripe with progress as long as it remains an option for people, especially when it involves new costs.

But I do have a problem when it become 'compulsory' as in the case of DSC/VHF i.e. if you don't want to be ignored by the rest of the world then make sure you get DSC soon!

I find DSC especially bad as the authorities are effectively imposing a standard on us that is nowhere near the best that today's technology can offer (my mobile phone is far more advanced). This is because they take so long to agree and implement a new system (years) that it becomes hopelessly out-of-date before most of us even hear about it!

So, you are fine keeping your 15yr old GPS aren't you? But I agree, the whole DSC/VHF thing leaves a bitter taste.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: It\'s sailors like you...

hahaha
made me smile that.

Wants woman with boat
Send photo of boat

 

[bedouin]

But it's not compulsory to replace your existing VHF with a DSC/VHF, or even to buy DSC from new. The only requirement is that if you do buy a new VHF it must be capable of being "upgraded" to DSC in the future - not a very onerous requirement.

I'm much more concerned about that compulsory radar reflector.

 

[Rob_Webb]

I put 'compulsory' in inverted to commas to recognise that I know it's not actually legally required - but to all intents and purposes it is compulsory, if you are serious about the safety of family and friends onboard your boat and want to maximise the chances of any distress call being heard. Otherwise, you are going to be left with a nagging guilty feeling about not having done everything you could whilst the rest of the world has.

By comparison, a radar reflector is less onerous (cheaper and less hassle to install)?

Rob

 

[andrewg]

Having recently gone on a DSC/SSB course, I am less inclined to buy a DSC VHF. Apparently, the rate of false alarms has now gone up to over 90%. (What does that red button do?.. oops).
So they are like car alarms. Sure they go off, but no one takes them seriously. Similarly, if you press the DSC alarm, I have very little confidence that it will instigate any action, at least if you are travelling outside UK waters. So, the introduction of DSC represents a huge backwards step in terms of safety.
I'm just hoping that someone will still be listening on Ch16.

 

[bedouin]

Curiously I do not feel the need to buy a DSC VHF at present. I really don't think it adds anything signficant to safety over voice calling on Ch16.

On the other hand, installing a radar reflector is very expensive and onerous - especially on a small boat. The cheap and cheerful ones are about as much use as a chocolate teapot - anything big enough to be any use is expensive, cumbersome and difficult to mount (plus probably adding significant weight aloft).

 

[Rob_Webb]

You're right about not needing DSC right now - it's just that as I'm in the market for a new VHF I am considering a future-proof pruchase now (c. £400) versus a standalone VHF (c. £300) plus a DSC add-on later (c. £200) - and as I am no dabhand at DIY I usually opt for GSETDI (get someone else to do it) and hence the two-stage approach would probably involve two lots of installation aggro. No right answer, just pros & cons.

I must admit I had assumed a reflector would simply involve adding one of those sleek plastic-covered things to the front of my mast, about spreader height, next time it is down. Is it any worse than that?

Rob

 

[kgi]

Didnt pbo do a test on radar reflectors and half of them did not work!!! seem to remember that they used a large tug in southampton water and pushed the boats round their anchors with a RIB, after that they got the guys from the MoD did some tests and deduced that the rigging wire being all different lengths was breaking the signal up so there was very little return,.....maybe the mca rya rnli spetznaz etc dont read pbo?.. if it dont work properly why rely on it!!!?.....keith

 

[bedouin]

Exactly - all the independent tests on radar reflectors show that most of them are almost useless. IIRC it is difficult to beat the old fashion octohedral ones - most of the others are much less effective.

The SOLAS regs (and also ORC regs) require a 10m2 equivalent area and very few, if any, of the patent reflectors provide that.

 

[Joe_Cole]

What you need is the Radar reflector which is advertised in the latest Windward Marine catalogues. It claims to have "a maximum of 17 sq. miles of radar cross section". Not bad!

Joe Cole

 

[Guest]

Re: It\'s sailors like you...

What? No teasmaid?

 

[Guest]

Totally Agree as far as the new VHFDSC setup is concerned.Surely if enough of us stay with the traditional VHF then they will not switch off listening onCh 16.

 

[Guest]

17 miles ??????? Sounds a bit of a strange claim ! Effective square area is a more reliable assessment.
As an ex Ships officer .... I would like to add that even the large octehedrals carried on buoys etc. are restricted in echo on even a commercial radar ... in a lot of cases less than a coupl or three mile .... in poor or really choppy weather that can completely hide the return. So what chance does a yacht reflector have ? Note that most tests have been carried out in good weather ... increasing the chance for it to be seen .....

QED ??

Oh yes - before someone cottons on - this is the old log-in for me - Nigel

 

[Guest]

Re: It\'s sailors like you...

Reply from Nigel !
I have a nose trimmer and waterbed ... but didn't see the need to go the hog pervert thing with the rest !!

I detect a hint of sarcasm ...... !!

Anyway sod the Boat MOT ..... when I see a decent proposal and also can understand the logic of its implementation - then I agree ... but problem is that so many nowadays are either Euro crap or some misguided do-gooder .... not considering the consequences ....

Regarding DSC and changes to CG over the years ... we now have a stupid situation that the CG reduced visual lookout in favour of radio watch ... now we have a reduction of 16 watch and change to auto service ...... - what next, a speaking clock style of automated reply message ????? " Your message was timed at the third pip ......"

Doesn't really do much for my confidence factor !!! I think soon we will be relying on each other to listen out and assist where necessary and we can literally forget about shore-side help .......

 

[Guest]

Woman with boat

Nope ..... should read :

Wants woman with money, boat, porsche and incredible sex drive !!

The next best thing is a legless beautiful blonde driving a brewers dray !

 

[Grehan]

Re: It\'s sailors like you...

Well done Ken, you're on top form!

 

[chas]

I find I have little use for any of the bits fitted to my (27 yr old) boat except for the compass, GPS and echo sounder. The VHF is normally on but (touch wood) I have not needed it in emergency yet (apart from the odd call for a berth). Oh yes - I can get the Home Service on the RDF which is useful.
Happy Sailing!

 

[Sinbad1]

...so why do you use so MANY pieces of gear? I just use the GPS. It gives course true and saves me having to convert for deviation or variation. As for the depth sounder. I switch it off when in shallow water.....watching it is too stressful!