Strobes, led flashlights,epirbs,VHF radio

T

TomW

Joined
Oct 7, 1998
Messages
1,128
Epirb is a wish more than a want but the other items I have to buy this month. The posts in this forum are great. Anybody with a bit of advice please help I'm listening.
Strobes-- I need a couple to attach to life jackets. Led flashlights---
they interest me a lot. I've never seen one in use.- Epirbs-- Long shot but maybe somebody went through the research before getting one.
VHF radio- I need a new one with dsc and a hailer if the price is reasonable.
Thanks
 
Are you going to be in lakes? Oceans? Streams?

I'd take a look at your life jackets first if they arent sea rated (Able to turn an unconcious person right side up and keep the head out of the water)

The biggest defense you can have is to let people know where your going, and leave a float plan... have your VHF radio ready and know your location. If no one knows your missing, or cant hear you on the radio... you a sitting duck waiting for hypothermia to come a knocking :eek:
 
Oh... The other thing that you may want to look into is a streamer for each of the life jackets... it uncurls and gives a larger surface area to the person in the water.

The other, is most every boat made since 1973 is supposed to float when loaded with the max weight (engines etc...) except for sailboats that is... Hydrasports are one of the few that pass military spec for floatation.
I've heard of a couple times where they have washed up on shore full of holes with the captain/mates missing but the boat still floating.

If your doing some ocean boating... you might want to bring spare radios, just in case your main vhf dies. Put some thought into what you might do without electricity, boat still floating but the battery is dead etc. I'm wondering if a hand cranked power supply wouldnt be able to cover that one...

Alot to think about, just pray ya never have to use any of it! :eek:

Also check into taking a boating class done by the US powersquadron... quite interesting, and very much so worth your while!
 
Check out the FT-3C flashlight from Elektrolumens when you get a chance. It really has to be seen and used to be believed. Twelve hours runtime from a set of typical alkaline C-cell batteries, incredible brightness, and the 3 watt Luxeon Star bulb will likely never need changing. What more could you ask for? :)

http://elektrolumens.com/FT-3C/FT-3C.html
 
If your doing a lot of open ocean boating what you really need is a top of the line canister liferaft. They come in these white cylinders or boxes that mount to your deck. Pull it off yank a cord in it goes. The best ones come ready equipped with EPIRB and various supplies. (they arent even CLOSE to cheap though).
 
O.K., I am now in former Charter boat Captain mode (I held a Master's Certificate at 18)

As for a VHF radio, I have one recommendation: ICOM, they are a little pricey, but worth every penny. They are by far the most reliable VHF sets on the market and have been for the past 20 yrs. Each board is individually dipped in epoxy to provide a nearly completely waterproof set. Spend the extra $$$, your life may depend on it. As for DSC and a VHF with a built-in hailer??? DSC MAY be worth it if you are a truely serious offshore angler (we like to chat privately) as for a warrior (as in weekend), it's not worth the extra $$, buy a decent ICOM. Hailers...pretty much freaking worthless. Invariably the horn speaker lasts less than 3 months from water damage and salt spray. If you REALLY need a hailer, buy a megaphone and stow it below. Fixed hailers (and I've owend the best, with the best speaker) just don't justify the aggravation and cost factor.

Personally, I'd put all my money into a good VHF and an EPIRB.

EPIRBS, major changes from when I did my thing in the 80's and early 90's. Not an area to scrimp on, assess your needs. How far do you go offshore? What weather? I doubt you need a commercial quality EPIRB, but again, it's safety equipment not a time to pinch pennies.

Oh I forgot LED flashlight, ARC L4+ or a Surefire Aviator. The Aviator has a Xenon bulb that puts out about 60 lumens and 3 LEDs for "low light" work. The ARC4 has every do-dad known to man and is exceptionaly reliable.
 
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