First time to sea

[kevinrhead]

I am intending to make my first coastal trip but not to venture far out of Harbour as new to this and would appreciate some advise as to what safety equipment is needed for coastal trips. I already have life jackets/paddles/spare fuel/spare kill cord/fire extinguisher/mobile phone in aquapack/handheld GPS. I am thinking it would probably be a good idea to invest in some flares and a handheld VHF + necessary license/certificate. Have already booked myself on RYA PB2 course (My wife already has her PB2.) Any advise would be greatly apreciated.

[Louise]

Hi Kevin,

Your thinking is sound - all those items are good to have. Have a look at the 'Equipment' section of our website (see below my signature line) to get some more ideas but bear in mind that we have more storage space than you and my other half is a 'belt AND braces (AND a bit of string in case those fail!)' man! I assume you already have an anchor and chain but a sea anchor would be useful too. Also a bailer (which you can make yourself by cutting the bottom off a pop bottle). It's a good idea to have some spare clothing as it can be colder than you think and water, chocolate and a first aid kit are essential too IMHO. HTH

P.S. I'm bound to have forgotten some other essential but another RIBnetter will be along in a minute to add it to the list!

P.P.S. Have fun!

[Scary Des]

Agree with all above and would add that for storage in a small boat consider dry sacks, packed carefully with the soft stuff on the outside and hard bits in the middle they can double as cushions. Don’t forget to tie them on Des .

[gingercoastie]

Originally Posted by kevinrhead

I am thinking it would probably be a good idea to invest in some flares and a handheld VHF + necessary license/certificate.

I would put these down as essential items, but otherwise you seem to have most things covered, alongwith the advice already given.

Make sure that someone ashore knows when you are out and when you are due back, and what to do should you not arrive.

Other than that have a good trip, I am sure you will enjoy it.

[Tim M]

I bought a hand-help VHF before I got my radio licence just as an emergancy backup. There wouldn't be a problem if you used it in a genuine emergancy without all the paperwork.

[ADS]

That sounds about right kevin, and consider investing in a hand held VHF.

I know this sounds obvious but I have fallen for this one , its all very well carrying extra fuel but remember the two stroke oil! Check your autolube reservoir (if relevant) and carry some spare oil, if your outboard is pre-mix it would be best to premix the spare fuel before setting off, I have known someone to connect the spare fuel tank after running the main one dry, but the spare tank had'nt been mixed Result, one seized engine!

Louise, I have read your extensive kit list, I am surprised Blue Ice planes


Good luck Kevin, Im sure you will enjoy it.


Alex

[Louise]

Originally Posted by ADS

Louise, I have read your extensive kit list, I am surprised Blue Ice planes

Oh she certainly does!

I know what you mean though! Come out with us some time if you want proof!

[MeMe]

...........I'd take your wife

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Louise

Oh she certainly does!

I know what you mean though! Come out with us some time if you want proof!

Its good to be well equipped, especially if you are travelling long distances.
Hopefully, we can meet up some time in the summer after the exams.

Regards
Alex

[Louise]

Originally Posted by ADS

Its good to be well equipped, especially if you are travelling long distances.

You're spot on. We want to be able to head off somewhere on a whim without thinking 'Oh but we haven't got x, y and z so better not.' And we did just this last June when we hopped over to Alderney!

Hopefully, we can meet up some time in the summer after the exams.

Look forward to it!

[MeMe]

........a few weeks ago and asked me the very same question. I compiled the attached list. Lou's takes this a step further however, here are my thoughts for what they're worth.

Hi Paul, Fabulous news about the Medline – welcome to the club !

As discussed I look forward to seeing you some time over the Bank Holiday. In the meantime, I’ve detailed a few things you might like to consider purchasing as and when you’re in the mood. I’ve detailed these in order of priority, my priority at least. Of course I have all the following plus numerous other additions beyond the usual requirement of a weekend boater. To be honest, you don’t’ need all these however, I’d give very careful consideration to the first 20  .

1. Insurance. Mardon Marine 01743 232688.
2. Engine Lock – Wheel Clamp – Tow Hitch Lock. When asked by the above if you have these, say yes.
3. Flushing Phones for cleaning the engine.
4. Anchor. A “Bruce Anchor” with 5 mtrs of medium weight ground chain – a minimum of 20 mtrs anchor rope (this can also be used for towing either you or another stranded vessel). I have 2 anchors, but that’s me, I also wear two condoms !!! More often than not anchor ropes are sold ready spliced with an eye in the end – ask for this type.
5. Life Jackets. The number depends on how many people at any one time you plan to take aboard. Without question you should have at least two. Jet-ski types are fine if you already have them but bulky and uncomfortable over clothes. Further, they don’t right you if unconscious and face down in the sea. If buying new ones, purchase sailing types with a minimum of 150 Newton’s buoyancy. The Skippers should be a fully automatic, the rest can be manual. Reasons that if not obvious I’ll explain later.
6. A set of flares, a small set is perfectly adequate, don’t be sold into something too fancy / expensive - say £100.
7. VHF. Waterproof – submersible. £150 ish, no more.
8. Rope. Braided decent quality medium weight for tying up on a pontoon, rafting up with friend’s etc. You should have enough to split into three lengths of about 10ft a length.
9. First Aid Kit.
10. Fire Extinguisher.
11. KNIFE / Multi-tool (Leatherman – Gerber). Not just cosmetic but also very handy if you get a rope around the prop.
12. 3 to 4 small fenders (not white as they mark and are hard to clean).
13. 10 litre jerry can (U.S Army Jeep type) full of fuel and carried under the rear bench seat.
14. General Purpose tool kit (one of those in a brief case £19.99)
15. A 2nd / spare dead mans cord, again I’ll explain later (£5.00).
16. Spare Fuses. Two of all those found on engine and under console.
17. GPS / Compass.
18. Charts.
19. Sonar (Fishfinder).
20. Training Course. Minimum Powerboat Level 2 (£100)
21. Thermos Flask.

In addition to the above I carry;

Drinking Water
Paddles
Torch
Spare Batteries
Signalling Mirror
Spare Knife
FM Radio
Useful telephone numbers (RNLI- Coast Guard - Harbour Master)
Spark Plugs
2-Stroke Oil
Tube repair kit
Fog Horn
Binoculars
Compass, etc etc.

Anyway, there’s something for you to think about ?

p.s I know a decent I.F.A if you need a loan !!!!!

See ya soon,

Fair Winds, Smooth Seas and Safe Passages,

Graeme

[kevinrhead]

Many thanks for so many prompt replies. Any suggestions on which handheld
VHF to go for? I seem to remember them on test in PBO last year will have to pull out report.

[Tim M]

Meme: just out of interest, why a tube repair kit? Can one practically reapir a hole out at sea (surly the glue would need hours to go off properly)?

[Louise]

Originally Posted by kevinrhead

which handheld
VHF to go for?

IMHO go for an ICOM. Loads of people rate them and their Marine Dealer Manager Jon Brooks regularly posts here and is very helpful.

If you're on a budget go for the M31 (£139 from www.nautequipe.co.uk - who posts here as stevetheboat).

If only the best will do go for the IC M1EuroV for £175.

Garmin are also very good.

HTH

[Louise]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Meme: just out of interest, why a tube repair kit? Can one practically reapir a hole out at sea (surly the glue would need hours to go off properly)?

The 'clam shell' repair kit looks quite good if it's only a small hole/tear. Has anyone actually used one? Are they any good?

P.S. Sorry for hi-jacking the thread!

[ADS]

Its a Medline MeMe, spare fuses! Where are the bikini clad ladies on the list like in the Zodiac brochure!
Or were they an opitonal extra!

Alex

[MeMe]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Meme: just out of interest, why a tube repair kit? Can one practically reapir a hole out at sea (surly the glue would need hours to go off properly)?

.............right, however within my tube repair kit I also carry a large roll of Duck Tape and a needle and thread.

[MeMe]

Originally Posted by ADS

Its a Medline MeMe, spare fuses! Where are the bikini clad ladies on the list like in the Zodiac brochure!
Or were they an opitonal extra!Alex

..............what it ones 12v fridge were to blow a fuse

As for the bikini clad ladies - no thanks, have you ever met my wife

[MeMe]

Originally Posted by Louise

The 'clam shell' repair kit looks quite good if it's only a small hole/tear. Has anyone actually used one? Are they any good?P.S. Sorry for hi-jacking the thread!

...........for the price and the fact that your hole has to be just the right size and shape, I'd rather rely on myu duck tape

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Louise

The 'clam shell' repair kit looks quite good if it's only a small hole/tear. Has anyone actually used one? Are they any good?

I looked at them and felt that they would work for a limited number of a specific type of small hole
In my experience the type of hole you would want to repair at sea would be a big one and in reality it would be exactly the type of hole you couldn’t repair at sea
Some years ago I split the nose of a tornado which resulted in nearly every wave coming in through the bow, we had to limp back at 4 or 5 knots getting very wet Over all the spilt was 380mm long and semicircular, it was a difficult enough job to repair it on dry land let alone at sea
If you get a small hole in the tube even if you have to stop every 5 minutes to blow it up it is not really an issue.
I have always thought that these might be a good idea but not tried them out. Des