[Rhodes22-list] R22 Instrumentation

Tue Feb 28 09:35:39 EST 2006

I sailed (or more like motored since my rudder was disabled) through the
exact location last spring during my Outer Banks sailing adventure.  The
conditions were similar with 4-5 foot waves which might not sound like a
lot, but on Pamlico Sound they are very steep and close together which
makes them an intense experience.  One thing that amazed me was how quickly
the weather can change out there.  Even though it happened only 5 miles
from Oriental, you feel like you are a world away because there is little
development and few other boats; one of the neat things about the Outer
Banks but also a factor that reduces your safety margin.

I second Peter's comments regarding the VHF, but again it all depends on
where you sail.  On the inland lakes of Tennessee a handheld and cellphone
is fine.  Coastal areas are an entirely different story.  I wouldn't even
consider going out into coastal waters without a fixed mount VHF and
masthead antenna.

In my opinion, an EPIRB adds another layer of safety, but at a hefty price.
Ultimately, you have to make a personal decision as to what level of safety
margin you are comfortable.  The only time you would conceivably use an
EPIRB is if you are so far offshore that you are out of radio range, or if
your boat is holed and sinks so fast that you are unable to contact the
Coast Guard before your batteries go dead.  Weather/time of year would be
the third factor.  Sailing in cold water requires extra precautions.  One
alternative to purchasing an EPIRB is to rent one.  BoatUS offers EPIRB
rentals by the week.  I am planning a trip to south Florida at the end of
May and, weather permitting, I plan to sail to the Bahamas.  Even though I
will never be out of radio contact, I am considering rental of an EPIRB
since I will be in open water.  Again, margin of safety for a given
circumstance.

Bill W.

             "Peter Thorn"                                                 
             <pthorn at nc.rr.com                                             
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                                                                   Subject 
             02/28/2006 07:18          Re: [Rhodes22-list] R22             
             AM                        Instrumentation                     

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Dave,

Last week I posted a few articles about a new 38' Carolina Classic sport
fisherman boat that sank recently while en route from Edenton to the Miami
boat show.  It seems no one on the list took much notice, but this event
has
intrigued me since I first read about it.   It turns out the Captain was 78
years old and evidently experienced.  His mate was 55 and not much was
written about him.  Both died of hypothermia resulting from exposure to
cold
water when the new boat they were delivering sank in 18' of water, about 5
miles from Oriental, NC  near Garbacon shoals.

Last Friday I helped my buddy Lawrence deliver his Tanzer 26 from Oriental
to New Bern to prepare for a race last Saturday.  As is our custom, we ate
lunch at M&Ms Restaurant before departing  and happened to sit at the bar
next to Captain Larry Walker (who teaches the Captain's courses in
Oriental).  We engaged in a discussion about the accident -- it has been
the
talk of the town since it happened.

Captain Walker made some excellent points I feel are worth sharing.  First,
if the lost souls had contacted the Coast Guard, they would doubtless be
alive today.  They only had 5 watt hand-held radios with them, which in
3-4'
waves may not have been able to transmit that far.  The investigation
revealed that other hand helds at that location could not raise the Coast
Guard either.   VHF is line of sight and it was blowing 30 that day.   A
fixed mount VHF on a sailboat is a big advantage worth acquiring: 25 watts
of power and 30' of  antenna elevation.  The higher the antenna, the longer
the range.

Captain Walker strongly suggested an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating
Radio Beacon).
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|302025|320637&id=99121 This
is a small expensive device that sends a signal up to a satellite and on to
the Coast Guard, telling them you need help.  You just throw it in the
water
and it automatically goes to work saving your life.  Don't buy an EPIRB
without the built-in GPS feature.  The GPS EPIRB transmits the location of
the EPIRB to the Coast Guard.  This can save lots of time they would
otherwise waste on triangulation.  When hypothermia is involved minutes can
be life and death.

There are now fixed VHF sets available that connect with your GPS and have
an emergency switch that will transmit your position to nearby vessels with
similar equipment and to the Coast Guard.  (The Uniden UM 525 is one
example, on sale now at Defender for $150.)  Evidently, Channel 70 is soon
to be the new emergency channel and these are set up for that too.  These
radios are much less expensive and for coastal sailing may be a reasonable
compromise.  However, if the cockpit fills with water and the electrical
system shorts out the radio may not be much good and you may wish for an
EPIRB.

If you are still deciding how to spend money on your new Rhodes, you might
want to consider some of these equipment choices.  I hope you never have
the
need to use them.

PT

----- Original Message -----
From: <DCLewis1 at aol.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 12:12 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] R22 Instrumentation

Folks,

We are in the midst of trying to get our R22 equipped while it’s still at
GBI and the matter of instrumentation has come up.   The purpose of  this
Email
is to solicit input regarding what works.

Our current plan is to have a depth finder (Humminbird Mk17?) and bulkhead
compass mounted on the exterior cabin wall.  Questions:
- Both  instruments seem to me to be far from the tiller.  In your
experience
can  you meaningfully use instruments mounted on the cabin (I realize this
may be a  function of your farsightedness, but any input is welcome.).   In
particular, would a hand held compass be more useful than a bulkhead
compass?
If you like a bulkhead compass, any specific recommendations  regarding
models
and types?
- If these instruments are mounted  on the exterior, how do you keep them
from walking away?  Has anyone had a  problem in this regard?
- I understand the Mk17 has a bezel that facilitates  mounting.  I also
think
the Mk17 has a 1 year warranty that the display  will be waterproof.  But
for
the long term, how do you keep the Humminbird  (or any other) depth
finder/GPS display secured and out of the weather when the  boat’s secured?
I haven’t
identified a cap that would keep the sun and  precip off it and/or secure
it
- have I missed something?  I gather there  are a number of Humminbird
users
on the board, what do you do?  I believe  there are caps for bulkhead
compasses, that protect them from the weather, and  provide some security,
it that what
you use?

I’m inclined to use a hand held GPS, just because it will be closer to  me.
Also, it will be easily secured and I can take it home to program way
points
etc.  The same GPS could act as a compass.  The alternative is  to use the
Humminbird depth finder with a GPS driver - they make one - or  another
bulkhead
mounted GPS system.  The Humminbird will have a larger  display, but at the
front of the cockpit.  Again, I’m not sure the  Humminbird can be secured
or
kept out of the weather, and I don’t think it will  be a simple matter to
take it
home to program a course, way points, etc.   Has anyone considered these
trades and come to a decision as to the way to  proceed.  Better yet, does
anyone
have experience with hand held vice  bulkhead mounted GPS displays.

Thanks for any input.

Dave

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