My son is going to the USA, what should he bring back?

[alteredoutlook]

Tell me about configuring the channels to European ones. I ruled out a VHF as I knew they were on different channels but a new one would be nice.

Unless I'm mistaken American channels are similar (identical??) to International ones. The only difference I believe is that their vhfs also have half dozen other channels for receiving the weather. No matter, most VHF radios (irrespective of country of purchase) have a configuration setting to switch between International and USA configurations.

 

[Roberto]

A hand wringer

 

[roblpm]

I could do with a set of instruments. Raymarine or Garmin.

A quick google shows a Raymarine i70 at £420 inc vat here and £258 in the usa!!! Not sure how sales tax works on Internet orders in the usa. So 2 of them would nearly pay for the flight! Obviously you should pay vat and import duty if you brought them back, but I actually always travel with my sailing instruments. Honest guvnor.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Is there anything boaty that is a lot cheaper over there and worth buying? Or anything that you can get there that you can't get here? Any suggestions?

My daughter goes to Seattle every year and last time she was there I got a Standard Horizon GX AIS DSC radio. Much cheaper with free shipping within the US. Had these shipped to her hotel. Purchased from E bay and paid by paypal.

Just one tip is to purchase from a supplier not in to purchase from a supplier in the state of delivery otherwise you will pay state tax. I made that error when I purchased the SH radio from somewhere in Washington state and shipped to Seattle hotel.

I have done the same when daughter last visited the UK.

Main reason I do it is cost of item and the shipping elther costs more then item and it can take a long time to receive.

Brothers christmas card posted in UK early december arrived mid march.

 

[Mariner69]

Fenders were incredibly cheap in Walmart at the start of the season. Special offer one or two dollars each. No good to me as I had just paid shed loads for them in the UK.

At Xmas in New York I got a great snorkel set and fins plus diving knife for USD 60.

 

[Len Ingalls]

Friendly hint from Canada. USPost is very cheap.Google their USPS website to check surface rates to UK.
May be cost effective to purchase items & post them (or have them posted) to UK. This would leave extra luggage space for....

Cheers/Len

 

[Len Ingalls]

This supplier is my "price guide" for US suppliers.Not many are cheaper or faster,plus,as with most US suppliers,they guarantee to match other suppliers price on same product.
A cruise thru ebay (US) will lead to even cheaper from small online stores at times.Just confirm their rating is 100%.

http://www.defender.com/

 

[Jamesuk]

Some smokin' hot chicks ;-)

http://youtu.be/7QbBONaR8As

Make sure he had a great time, let him hire the convertible ;-)

 

[Len Ingalls]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_VHF_radio

VHF Marine frequencies

 

[jimmyk]

Katie Perry

 

[Roberto]

One of these, 12v hookah diving system

http://www.diving-us.com/product.sc...E28C0.m1plqscsfapp02?productId=4&categoryId=1

 

[skyflyer]

Tell me about configuring the channels to European ones. I ruled out a VHF as I knew they were on different channels but a new one would be nice.

Obviously you need to check the spec of the model you are buying, but names like ICOM and Stndard Horizon all have a menu to set up channel assignment to either International, USA or canadian spec.

These days most chargers are dual voltage/dual frequency so can handle 110v/220v 50/60Hz no problem - you just need a plug adaptor. Presumably most will be charged off a cigarette lighter in the boat anyway.

West Marine is the big store in the USA. Branches everywhere and if you oder online you can get it delivered to the store for pickup. You don't pay until you collect so if your plans go awry you have lost nothing.

By the way, there's a gotcha; in the USA prices are always quoted excluding local sales taxes, so the final figure will be more tun the headline price. It depends what state you are buying in. e.g. in Matryland tax was about 6% on top.

 

[Fendant]

Everything made in Europe ( Simrad, Raymarine ... ) and electronics/hardware from reputable international manufacturers is definitely worth a look.
USA made stuff at the big yachting gear chains is pretty crappy and ugly looking in most cases.

 

[skyflyer]

One of the main differences between US and International config is different channels are set up as duplex or simplex, so you can NOT use a US config, reliably in the UK.

 

[wazza]

One of the main differences between US and International config is different channels are set up as duplex or simplex, so you can NOT use a US config, reliably in the UK.

So what do the septics use when they sail over here, or visa versa.?
I'm here on holiday in the states and was also thinking of bring something other than duty frees for the boat...

 

[Burnham Bob]

Carmex Original Healing ointment available from Walgreens. Amazing stuff for chapped hands, cracked heels etc. Next time we go to the States we'll buy several tubs.