Recommended goodies

[dubh_ghaill]

I have decided to "semi-retire" and spend more time on my boat! I will be in the US in June, and would like to use the opportunity and the great pound/dollar rate to buy some marine goodies.
Rather than UK waters, I plan to do some channel hopping, France, Belgium and Holland, and welcome recommendations as to what and where to buy and get best value for say £2000. Top of the list must be a new VHF radio - again recommendations and otherwise most welcome.
Freedom is on the horizon!

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[Evadne]

There was a thread not long ago, here or on the PBO forum, about US-bought VHF radios, if you use the UK private channels ("marina" channels) then they won't have these. Otherwise they ought to have the international channels (16, 6, etc. etc.)

I think you'll also find that you can only import goods up to a certain value (£250?) before you pay VAT and import tax, so if you were thinking of strolling in throught he green channel with a suitcase full of electronic goodies, you will be stung for about 20% of the value on the receipts, if they decide to let you keep them.

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[Rowana]

To be legal on a UK boat, the VHF must conform to the CE regulations, and as far as I am aware, the ones purchased in the USA don't. There has been much discussion on this form regarding this very question, and a search will give you much more informed opinion than I can offer.

It seems that to be legal, you'll just have to bite the bullet and shell out some of your hard-earned dosh on a VHF in this country.

Who said that going into Europe was a good idea?? (I'll stop there before I get into rant mode!)

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[Steve Clayton]

I can recall a post re a h/held radio/GPS - it looks the bee's knee's.

http://www.uniden.com/product.cfm?product=MYSTIC

I guess that for cruising in non-UK waters this might be considered legal - buy it for it's GPS capability only (honest officer, I don't use the radio bit) and consider keeping it in the grab-bag. If you're in the raft then I want the best piece of comms kit I can buy regardless of beaureacratic(?) EC rules.

Good luck Stateside,

Steve



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[Twister_Ken]

Classic pound = dollar

I bought some Spinlock rope clutches in NYC - from West marine, only a block or so from the foot of the Empire State Bldg. They cost $49.50 each. UK price £49.50. The galling thing is they are manufactured approx 5 miles from where my boat is normally moored. Also bought oilie jacket, same thing, dollars = pounds.

If you're not just thinking nautical, lots of photographic and computing stufff is actually cheaper in dollars than in pounds. Then there's general clothing, CDs, etc.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[snowleopard]

TV recently highlighted problems people are having entering the UK from US as a result of forgetting the allowance on goods other than alcohol etc. the limit is £145. they seem to be a bit keen on this at present.

web site <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hmce.gov.uk/>here</A>

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[tome]

Best bargains I found were footwear and fishing/camping gear. US shoe sizes are 1/2 bigger (male) and 2 1/2 bigger (female). I bought 3 pairs of Timberland deck shoes for the price of 1 over here. As well as West Marine, the Academy stores are great value.

For a couple of years I was almost commuting to Houston and never found many bargains amongst the electrical/computing gear. CompUSA worth a visit though.

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[Steve Clayton]

U don't say where you will be in the US. If Florida/Orlando then a visit to Outdoor World is an experience not to be missed.

Steve

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[AndrewB]

The earlier thread is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=484037>HERE</A>.

It seems this is flouted and many UK yachtsmen do carry 'illegal' US bought VHF's, with very little enforcement by UK radio agencies. These sets cannot cause any serious embarrassment as a maverick ham radio set might do.

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[Sybarite]

Welcome, dark stranger... to the forum.

John

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[kilkerr1]

Outdoor World is my first stop in Florida in June. Have been dreaming about it ever since I first set foot in one two years ago...

Sad.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://kilkerr.members.easyspace.com/santateresa_pics.htm>Santa Teresa and other t'ings</A>

 

[kilkerr1]

Ah, but I think you'll find the thread that started that thread is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://kilkerr.members.easyspace.com/santateresa_pics.htm>Santa Teresa and other t'ings

 

[AndrewB]

You mean to say you DIDN'T accept yank bro-in-law's generous birthday offer??????

Words fail me. I hope he sent you a soft wooden bung instead.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Outdoor World; needs a whole afternoon; look in the golfing section for windproof/showerproof pullovers; check out all the boaty goodies; visit the area where they embroider caps, jackets, etc; don't forget the deckshoes and general clothin items, and if you're a fisherman then it's a dream world - the area feels like the size of a football pitch!!!!

Psst: want a good place to stay? http://www.shepherd-house.com.



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[whisper]

So where in Florida is this Outdoor World place ?

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[kilkerr1]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94>There's no escaping it</A>...mwahahaahaa...

And then of course, there's the guns. Lots of guns. Oh, and the really expensive crossbows.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://kilkerr.members.easyspace.com/santateresa_pics.htm>Santa Teresa and other t'ings</A>

 

[dubh_ghaill]

Thanks folks.

For warnings and ideas.
The US apart, what make and models of goodies would you buy - what exact bits of kit would you be looking to upgrade/change/add and why. For instance, does the team think that given the state of the Channel a small radar would be a good buy.

BTW - I will be in New York and San Diego, so can't divert to Florida - maybe there is an "Outdoor World" located there - will check that.

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[AndrewB]

Along with all the shiny new goodies emporia, in Fort Lauderdale there is a wonderful huge junk-yard warehouse of yacht equipment both new and old that is well worth a visit. Everyone local recommended it, and I spent hours wandering around not only finding stuff unobtainable elsewhere, but admiring bits of long since forgotten kit ... only wish I could remember the name.

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