Where is the sweet spot?

I admit defeat.

A handheld compass is an essential piece of equipment that all boats should have.

Please ignore the fact that I have one, and have not attempted to use it in the past three seasons because I could get a more accurate bearing by peering over the compass rose. For collision avoidance purposes, I normally line targets up against the windscreen frame: if they stay in the sector between eyelet poppers 7 and 8 for example, then that would be an issue. I would never cut it that fine that more accuracy was required...

Also ignore the advice about maybe getting a small chartplotter, they are electric, solely responsible for 75% of RNLI callouts, and quite clearly the work of Satan.

dv.
 
Re: HH Compass

Yes, pulling your leg/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

All the same, it's the most useful piece of kit for collision avoidance and I'm surprised you don't at least have your crew make use of it.
 
Done. Iris 50 it is.

Just about to buy a new HB compass meself - but have spent a week not making up my mind between an Iris 50 (cheapest deal seems to be £29.49 from Marinestore) or the Vion Axium 2 (cheapest found £44.95 from force4 )

Iris 50 it is, then.
 
Re: Where is the sweet spot - education!

Captain...
The reply's you got to your queries are fairly definitive & the advice is of the usual high order, however (there had to be one right?) the no 1 piece of equipment IMHO, that will give you years of enjoyment, satisfaction & is probably the best piece of safety equipment is - education!

I don’t know if you already have any of the RYA certs. but believe me they are well worth the cost & effort, to yourself, family & other boat users.
Even the diesel course is a good way to stay safe.

Treat yourself to one for xmas, the other kit is a nice to have but if you get outside your mooring & can't read a chart…………..

have great fun with the new yacht....Whats it going to be? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

poter
 
This thread is probably going to have so much conflicting advice, that it wont help much, however:

Lifejacket - size really depends on your own stature and natural floating tendency (we are all different) if you float like a brick, you definitely need the larger lifejacket, if not, ease of use makes the 150 a reasonable option, - BUT whichever one you buy should be fitted with crutch straps and a hood - the hood being IMHO an essential item in bad weather otherwise you will drown from the spray alone. Manual or automatic is your call, but a BB (as in most cats) has a high boom, thus much less likely to be knocked overboard unconcious. I have manual with an integral harness and also have an integral harness in my fouly, if wearing both, I put the hook through both harnesses.

Binoculars. Lots of good binoculars on the market, but mist and use at night sorts the dogs out from the goodies. Personally I have a pair of Nikon 7x50s that are now more than 30 years old and are just as good as when new - you get what you pay for!
 
Definitely agree about the crotch straps. Having been on a sea survival course in the spring, we learned a lot about the practicalities of life jackets. I was surprised how it floats up and away from the body if not tigtly strapped and crotch straps help, even if they do raise your voice a couple of octaves at the time.

Being average size, where everybody else is small, I had already bought a 275N Crewsaver. I assumed that even though my natural buoyancy is normal, my XL waterproofs, size12 boots, thick fleeces etc require something more to be on the safe side.

Having now tried to get into a liferaft several times, only in a swimming pool, the least bulbous lifejacket is much easier. I reckon I would need to partially deflate the 275 if getting into a raft in a real life situation.
 
1. HH VHF: we have a Simrad HT50 - never given us any problems over the last few years. Had a Silva budget thing before - waste of money.
2. Bino: have a Steiner with integrated compass. Not cheap, but will last for ever. Had a cheapo 7x50 from Force4 before - again waste of money.
3. HH Compass: how many times do you really expect to use it? Bino with integrated compass way to go (IMHO of course).
4. Lifejacket: We have both Crewsaver and Compass - no complaints of either. But then again haven't had to use any of them. Crotchstrap is a must. Do a Sea Survival course and you will know why.
 
Re: HH Compass

On the lifejackets:

It'a very difficult/almost impossible to get into a liferaft with a fully inflated 275N. Go for a jacket with a built in harnesses.

The heading on a GPS should not be viewed as an alternative to a compass for taking bearings - just not the same thing at all. I too agree that an analogue handheld compass like the Plastimo IRis is essential.
 
As others have said,

1. Handheld VHF - anything ICOM, they're easy to use with great sound quality.
2. Binoculars - Best you can sensibly afford without being scared witless about losing them. SHMBO bought me a pair of Steiner Skippers with compass earlier this year. Optics really are worth the extra, especially in low light conditions. Search the web & they can be had for about £275 - that's what she paid for mine.
3. Hand bearing compass. Iris 50 is cheap, reliable and easy to use.
4. Lifejackets. Check the magazine tests. Mine were 'middle of the road' price with manual gas & harness. Whatever you get, make sure they can be fitted with crotch straps.

I know this is only repeating previous posts, but at least it shows we all pretty much have similar ideas.

Good luck with the new boat!
 
Lots of good advice already given but a couple more observations for you to consider.

Binoculars- get knackered dropped, salt encrusted so go for 7 x 50's, nitrogen filled to reduce condensation and plastic/rubber coated for protection


Lifejackets- would you rather recover someone from the water or prevent them reaching it in the first place? Picking up a MOB is not easy even in daylight.
So get an automatic 150N lifejacket with a harness attachment fitted and crutch straps are a good idea too, plus of course lanyards and jackstays.

Some of the inflated lifejackets tend to restrict the wearer so you may want to check that out also ( There was a PBO, issue 462 June 2005,review of lifejackets which may help your choice)
 
Re: HH Compass

I have to agree with Yanita, I have a h/b compass but can not remember the last time I used it.Compass binos work for me and are very good when crossing the shipping lanes,do not remember the make but were about £150 a few years ago. H/H radio,have to go with Icom if their fixed sets are anything to go by.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do a Sea Survival course and you will know why.

[/ QUOTE ]

Will be running a sea survival course on the Hamble (well not on it or in it!!) 10th Dec.


PM me if you are interested.
 
1. Only get an Icom, great aftersales service if you need it and one of the better products

2. There are cheap gas filled (waterproof) bins with built in compasses available now just shop around. I have one expensive personal pair of Bins and a cheap pair I leave on the charter boat. To me for 99.9% of the time the cheap ones are good enough and I no longer take the expensive ones on board. If you don't agree with me I am happy to sell you a pair of expensive german bins hardly used-great for posing though!

3. Get a handheld compass preferably with a luminous facility ( place under light at nightime before use) or internal light again quite cheap. Good for Xsing channel and avoiding crossing ships and if electrics (GPS) fail can assist locating position near to landmarks.

4. Look at tests and go for a reliable one with hammer type auto inflate (unless you are an ocean sailer -many cases of going overboard are from people being knocked by boom,or passing out due to an illness- auto inflate is then the only one that works!) Get one with crutch straps and add a spray mask (bought these immediately we completed the survival course). Strobe lights so cheap now (diving shops) and can be seen by helicopter from about 12Nm in good visibility I recommend adding one.

I bought our first big boat for charter use and when equiping it was advised that there is nothing on the MCA coding list that is not very sensible to have. I recommend looking at that list as many items are very cheap but potentially lifesaving. After 7 years and many miles I agree with that original advice but would concede that a life raft for estuary sailing only may be OTT. All your items are compulsary on charter boats the additions to lifejackets are my personal recommendation.

I always feel a bit of a wimp doing comprehensive safety briefings but believe doing exciting thing and minimising risks is what life is about. Hence I buy comprehensive gear (not necessarily the best or expensive) for sailing ,skiing, diving and motorcycling and love nearly every minute.

"If you take the risk out of life you take the life out too". Shoichiro Honda (sorry Spelling!)
 
With respect, why would you buy a pair of 10x42 centre focus binoculars to use at sea? This is a really bad idea, (A) 10x is too high, (B) centre focus can even be dangerous.
 
[ QUOTE ]
With respect, why would you buy a pair of 10x42 centre focus binoculars to use at sea? This is a really bad idea, (A) 10x is too high, (B) centre focus can even be dangerous.

[/ QUOTE ]

Drag up an old thread....

Okais, I am guessing the originator of the buy the 10x42 has never compared to a 'good' set of bins. This may sound patronising, but I had a similar attitude before SWMBO bought a set of decent (not flamboyant) bins from you, for me. Now I know what a different decent glass makes and why 7x50 is the recognised standard.

But I want to ask you about your statement regarding centre focus being dangerous. I was under the impression that individual focus was to keep the bins waterproof. What am I missing, what are the other advantages?
 
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