Another question for the boat owners. Does anyone carry a backup small engine? Been thinking about getting a little 2.5 2stroke as a get out of trouble engine if my main goes down . But doubt it would fit on the transom so I guess it would just have to get strapped down on the deck in a bag or something. Maybe its overkill , but I don't see what I could do if you are a few miles from where you launched any your engine went down cant see the oars working against wind and tide . I have a VHF but wouldn't really like to bother the coastguard when it probably costs them 4 times as much as me getting a spare engine to even launch one of their rescue boats.
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North Wales, The Llyn & Anglesey 2014
- Thread starter Broseidon
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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Good question Will I don't know if a spare motor is really an option on a small rib .would of thought it was impractical .(depends on how small ya rib is )A VHF is the back up (make sure its charged up every time you go out )and take it on the chin! row to shore or don't go too far out !Maintain and service your out board take spares don't cut corners !Know your outboard have any of you had cover off ?do you know how it works?if your pull cord snaps what are you going to do ? Have you a spare ?I flooded mine last year and rowed for 15 min in baking sun I was done in ! Thank god it started in the end it really makes you think!
ditto, a spare engine is possible, but pain in the arse. if you are going to go a couple of miles off shore (really?) then you need to make sure you have the kit, eg vhf, small pack of flares etc. (Dont forget spare water).
If you are doing it regularly, get a PLB. They are tiny, very reliable and will ping your gps coords out along with a mayday if you set them off. whilst I certainly applaud not calling the coasty for a lack of ice for the gin and tonic, I would not hesitate if you are in need of immediate assistance.
why not do a vhf radio course (it will show you what you can do to summon help) and a sea survival course - which will tell you loads more ways of getting help and what to do if it doesnt come! (Including salt water enemas and who to eat first....probably broceiden)
If you are doing it regularly, get a PLB. They are tiny, very reliable and will ping your gps coords out along with a mayday if you set them off. whilst I certainly applaud not calling the coasty for a lack of ice for the gin and tonic, I would not hesitate if you are in need of immediate assistance.
why not do a vhf radio course (it will show you what you can do to summon help) and a sea survival course - which will tell you loads more ways of getting help and what to do if it doesnt come! (Including salt water enemas and who to eat first....probably broceiden)
Yes , good points from all . I do have some spare plugs etc, but working on engines at sea I cant imagine to easy , and if the vhf fails or you drop it in or whatever ,. I tend to think sometimes it only takes a smallish problem that can spiral into a chain of mishaps. I would never be far from shore but if I had to land somewhere If I could , I would have to try and hail a taxi in my suit , leaving the boat at the mercy of anyone !
A read a book recently about docter Alain Bombard, who drank quite a bit of sea water on his journey across the Atlantic without to much ill effect , and not a funnel in sight !
A read a book recently about docter Alain Bombard, who drank quite a bit of sea water on his journey across the Atlantic without to much ill effect , and not a funnel in sight !
I agree with foxy on those things I'm going to try and take drinking water sun block sun hats/caps and shades some vinegar !depending on how weather's looking wind proof jkts .Tell someone on land where your going and when your eta is !You don't won't your balls chewed off by ya Mrs!
From my very limited knowledge of boat safety:
Turn your phone into a GPS tracker - I use Life360 - www.life360.com - install the free app on your phone and anyone with the passcode can track your movements - my GF watched me zoom all around the South Llyn from the comfort of the home computer - it's amazingly useful and works perfectly! It will only work where there's signal but it better than nothing and doesn't cost a penny - it's very easy on your battery life too.
You should ALWAYS call the coast guards before you head out and tell them where you're going and when you're expected back. Just remember to call them and tell them that you've returned safely!
It sounds like a bother but every time I've called them they've always said they really appreciate it and wish more people would make the effort to get in touch with them. They just keep a list of all the boats that have gone out that day and tick them off as they call in - the guys are really friendly and have good banter!
They ask ANY water user to get in touch when they're heading out, so that includes kayakers AND shore divers - you can never be too safe!
You should always take a VHF and ideally take a mobile or two is a sealed tub - flares are a winner too! As Denian said, a Windproof jacket will keep you so much warmer - as soon as you get moving in the boat, the wind evaporating the moisture on your suit just sucks all the heat out of you.
Other things to consider - avoid areas of strong current or turbulent water, don't go out in strong winds, check the forecast to see what the weather's doing later in the day, take a friend with you, have oars on your boat, keep close to shore, make your guests wear a life jacket, take a tool box with you for repairs, USE YOUR KILL CORD!
Learn how your outboard works! Daf and I, through complete and utter ignorance as to how outboards function, had to use the oars three times in one day! Ouch! Steep learning curve! Won't be making those mistakes again!
I hope this helps someone!
Turn your phone into a GPS tracker - I use Life360 - www.life360.com - install the free app on your phone and anyone with the passcode can track your movements - my GF watched me zoom all around the South Llyn from the comfort of the home computer - it's amazingly useful and works perfectly! It will only work where there's signal but it better than nothing and doesn't cost a penny - it's very easy on your battery life too.
You should ALWAYS call the coast guards before you head out and tell them where you're going and when you're expected back. Just remember to call them and tell them that you've returned safely!
It sounds like a bother but every time I've called them they've always said they really appreciate it and wish more people would make the effort to get in touch with them. They just keep a list of all the boats that have gone out that day and tick them off as they call in - the guys are really friendly and have good banter!
They ask ANY water user to get in touch when they're heading out, so that includes kayakers AND shore divers - you can never be too safe!
You should always take a VHF and ideally take a mobile or two is a sealed tub - flares are a winner too! As Denian said, a Windproof jacket will keep you so much warmer - as soon as you get moving in the boat, the wind evaporating the moisture on your suit just sucks all the heat out of you.
Other things to consider - avoid areas of strong current or turbulent water, don't go out in strong winds, check the forecast to see what the weather's doing later in the day, take a friend with you, have oars on your boat, keep close to shore, make your guests wear a life jacket, take a tool box with you for repairs, USE YOUR KILL CORD!
Learn how your outboard works! Daf and I, through complete and utter ignorance as to how outboards function, had to use the oars three times in one day! Ouch! Steep learning curve! Won't be making those mistakes again!
I hope this helps someone!
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Cheers everyone who pitched in , all very good advice . Im still leaning towards a backup. at least until I get to know/trust my main engine a bit more.I do still have VHF flares etc. Got a decent deal on one so may even make money if I decide to sell it in future. Its only 12kg so not to much of a pain to sling in.
My advise it to keep your craft perfectly in order. All I do is a service every year in a good garage. Never on my own, better you leave a good trusty professional do his job and no save pennies in servicing your boat.
Avoid Nationwide Marine like plague, they are incompetent bastards. The one in Stockport is called shipshape marine.
Thanks Dario , I might try them. I am tempted to do it myself , because at least I know I will take care and time, time is money in a lot of these places and they do things as quick as possible . Or for simple jobs they show some monkey how to do it once and let them have a go! That's my experience with car garages anyway!
I'm down ....from Glasgow ...not much of a drive #%#%#~$¥¥#}%# road works on A55 just what I needed .vis is good can'tbelieve my eyes may be I'm just tired !will let you all know I'm going in at first light in morning on low ?......wish me luck boys
Um........did /paddled at s2,s3,s4.....what a difference 12 hours makes 1m swell strong SW wind doesn't help the viz!...abersoch looked /doable good but picking up all the time galeing now foggy rain joy!That SYSC jetty is big it's hard to tell on web cam .may try north side later on high .I wouldn't bother boys but if you won't to get wet go for it!
Came down for a mooch, I've had a trek on the north and all along the stretch I recce'd in a word 'brown' .
Looks like a few patches might be a bit less brown but brown none the less. it's calm enough but not worth it IMHO. Me thinks more walking and then the pub
Good luck Denian if you do get in hopefully you find a decent spot
Looks like a few patches might be a bit less brown but brown none the less. it's calm enough but not worth it IMHO. Me thinks more walking and then the pub
Good luck Denian if you do get in
hopefully you find a decent spot