Kit list recommendations

[andyjcox1]

Hi all,

I am biting the bullet and spending some money to kit up my 6m Ribeye. I would be interested in members ideas on the best buy for each. When I say best buy, I mean best value for money for the functionality available to do the job.

This is the list:

Chartplotter: I am leaning towards the Garmin 750 (dont need the plotter as it already has a fish finder). I prefer the C-map & Navionics charts, but I think the waterproof levels and cost just sway me to the Garmin.

Fixed VHF: Looking at the Icom M411 . Needs to be DSC and hook up to the chart plotter

Aerial: To sit on the A frame: Thinking Rib Raider (like it as its small) or Metz (possibly better reception but taller. Would a Metz attached halfway down the A frame be the same as the Rib Raider on the top?

Radar reflector to mount on A frame

Horseshoe lifebouy with light, mounted on A frame

Inshore flare pack: Looking at the Hanson one

All will be used for local Solent cruising and hopefully occasional cross channel use. Does not need to be the roughest toughest most expensive. Just suitable for the above.

Andy

[boristhebold]

Radar reflectors, look for tri lens passive type or active types, search on ribnet for a review document about radar reflectors because some arnt worth the money at all.

Also get a hand held VHF that floats.

And a PLB - reasonable cost these days and valuable if you have an incident and all power is lost. (goes in your pocket)

anchor with plenty of reope and chain

lifejackets - with a crutch strap and harness

safety knife (goes in your pocket)

first aid kit basic

assorted tools, spare fuses

fire extinquisher

tube pump, tube repair thingy in case of emergency, the type you push through a tear, turn and secure, works well ask PeterM.

spare kill cord

throwing rope

[MikeCC]

Garmin 750 is getting end of line now (which is why price is good), so don't leave it too long.

ICOM M411 no longer available - M323 is a lot more expensive replacement model. Take a look at Standard Horizon GX1100E or GX1600E.

Don't mount an antenna alongside an A-Frame - that's a lot of metal in the way. Is height an issue for any reason? Better to get any antenna as high as possible.

Radar reflector - look at Tri-Lens standard or Echomax Basemount Extreme. Echomax performs better but is quite a big unit.

Horseshoe buoy - avoid the cheap small ones. Go for Ocean Safety or Baltic. There's some good 5-year life sealed unit lights now - better than a load of 'D' cells going rusty.

Nothing wrong with Hansson flares and usually a little cheaper than Pains.

[andyjcox1]

Boris, thanks for the info, thats good advice about the reflectors. I have most of the other kit you list, I should have stated that in the original post.

MikeCC - cheers for the heads up on the 750, I am notoriously bad at procrastination, and have missed a few good deals already so will crack on and get that unless I hear of a good reason not too. Any Ribnet forum discounts going for a bulk purchase ;-)

Andy

[xs 400]

[QUOTE=boristhebold;573093]Radar reflectors, look for tri lens passive type or active types, search on ribnet for a review document about radar reflectors because some arnt worth the money at all.

Also get a hand held VHF that floats.

And a PLB - reasonable cost these days and valuable if you have an incident and all power is lost. (goes in your pocket)

anchor with plenty of reope and chain

lifejackets - with a crutch strap and harness

safety knife (goes in your pocket)


first aid kit basic

assorted tools, spare fuses

fire extinquisher

tube pump, tube repair thingy in case of emergency, the type you push through a tear, turn and secure, works well ask PeterM.

spare kill cord

throwing rope

PLB how much are these for a decent one? any recommended makes?

[willk]

Random Thoughts:

The Metz can be fitted to a folding bracket and will work best fitted highest.

ICOM kit is all NMEA 0182 and thus more of a PITA to wire. Consider one of the other VHF manufacturers who have NMEA 2000 kit. Lowrance do the Link 8 that puts AIS onto your plotter. Granted ICOM make nice kit, pity they wouldn't join the 21st Century.

[MustRib]

PLB how much are these for a decent one? any recommended makes?

get the best you can afford, GPS equipped, - if you need it you will be very pleased you did. Mine is the GME410G.
I am not sure if any of the magazines have run a comparative test of them, I am sure the ACR, Kannard and McMurdo units are just as good.
If your planning on boating solo... or in bad weather, get a dry suit if you dont already own one....and I would recommend a Gecko as well.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

tube pump, tube repair thingy in case of emergency, the type you push through a tear, turn and secure, works well ask Peterm

Yes yes yes...mine was on my other boat....not splitting the tubes helps!

[gtb]

Originally Posted by MustRib

If your planning on boating solo... or in bad weather, get a dry suit if you dont already own one....

I'm finding it hard to justify (to myself) getting a dry suit or Musto at ~£400+ when I can get a floatation suit for <£100 with good thermal protection classification. The care and maintainance of the Fladen/Abu Garcia/Sundridge type suits seems better than dry suits (seals etc) too.

What am I missing?

[kerny]

Originally Posted by gtb

I'm finding it hard to justify (to myself) getting a dry suit or Musto at ~£400+ when I can get a floatation suit for <£100 with good thermal protection classification. The care and maintainance of the Fladen/Abu Garcia/Sundridge type suits seems better than dry suits (seals etc) too.

What am I missing?

Dry suits are better by far, flotation suits do not keep you dry while in the drink.

They just!! well...keep you afloat.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by gtb

I'm finding it hard to justify (to myself) getting a dry suit or Musto at ~£400+ when I can get a floatation suit for <£100 with good thermal protection classification. The care and maintainance of the Fladen/Abu Garcia/Sundridge type suits seems better than dry suits (seals etc) too.

What am I missing?

Black shadow.....

[kerny]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Black shadow.....

[mick]

Originally Posted by kerny

Oh yes BS for defo
Just cos you don't need one as your rib is part of your garden furniture now

[gtb]

Originally Posted by kerny

Dry suits are better by far, flotation suits do not keep you dry while in the drink.

The Fladen suits do claim some thermal protection,
"5C water, 60 mins, max 2C temperature loss 37.4C to 35.4C"

For the trips I do, that would be sufficient IMHO.

They just!! well...keep you afloat.

I have a decent lifejacket for that, so just interested in staying alive long enough in cold water.

[willk]

Originally Posted by gtb

What am I missing?

That they're a waste of time for long wet days at/in sea?

OK for showers and long splashy days in the cold. Mustrib spent three hours in the drink. In a Fladen he'd have been bollixed. As it was, he got back on the horse and rode home.

I have a Fladen and I've pushed it to the limits. Fine for what they are, but no replacement for a drysuit (I have one of those too so a fair comparison)

[kerny]

Originally Posted by mick

Oh yes BS for defo
Just cos you don't need one as your rib is part of your garden furniture now

Just wait while next season, it will be doing plenty

[MustRib]

Originally Posted by gtb

The Fladen suits do claim some thermal protection,
"5C water, 60 mins, max 2C temperature loss 37.4C to 35.4C"

For the trips I do, that would be sufficient IMHO.

I have a decent lifejacket for that, so just interested in staying alive long enough in cold water.

Fine ... and better than nothing at all.
Just think of when you may need to get in the water intentionally,
picking up a pot buoy, launching, recovering, and for me, not being wet means I will stay out on the water longer and enjoy the rest of the day. Nothing worse than being wet and cold when you dont need to be.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by gtb

The Fladen suits do claim some thermal protection,
"5C water, 60 mins, max 2C temperature loss 37.4C to 35.4C"

For the trips I do, that would be sufficient IMHO.

I have a decent lifejacket for that, so just interested in staying alive long enough in cold water.

I've got both drysuit & flotation/survival suit. If you are slip or beach launching in a flotation suit, you will get wet unless you wear waders on top, you won't in a drysuit. If you are on a pontoon or being launched by a tractor, then a flotation suit will do, however in heavy weather or rough seas, you will still get wet. As Kerny says, Drysuits are dry & flotation suits float.
Horses for courses.

[mick]

Originally Posted by kerny

Just wait while next season, it will be doing plenty

Sound

[kerny]

Also you do not have to spend 400 quid for a good dry suit you can get a decent one for less than £300 like a crewsaver if you shop around