Epirbs

[fleshfly]

I have been meaning to get an EPIRB for my 20' CC, but always put it off by putting the dough into fishing gear. The recent tragedy in FL, with the NFL players, was a bit of an eye opener so I think an EPIRB will be on my boat before a Stella. I did a little window shopping at a local electornics dealer here on the NS, I won't mention their name but I didn't really get that much help with all my novice questions. I have even emailed a few others, with very little reply back.

So my question to you all. Any thoughts, or reccomendations to an EPIRB?

My use would be for inshore striper fishing, and out on the bank when weather permitted.

[ShaneY]

ACR is introducing a new line this year they are smaller and last longer. I got a resQfix PLB at the beginning of last season and keep it in my pfd and wear it when yakking or on the boat solo. It's nice to have the knowledge that if the s:eek:it hits the fan the coasties will be looking for me.

As far as a recommendation goes the resQfix is a good choice for an all arounder, but the new version of it can float without the neoprene pouch. I would talk to the guys at Life Raft Survival Equipment, they know their stuff and are a relatively local shop not like a big box store where they pretend they know what they are talking about.

If you look up the old thread I set up a group buy for a bunch of people and we got a good deal from Life Raft Survival Equipment in Rhode Island. You should see if there is interest in doing it again and set it up. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I found the thread for you http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61960&highlight=epirb

[z-drive]

i'd just go with a full size real-deal unit. thats the only kind i'd consider, one will be going on my boat sometime in the early summer. something in a float-free bracket. they're almost all gpirbs now with built in GPS and all 406mhz units. pretty much any float-free off the shelf will do. Anything that complies with GMDSS and cospat/sarsat is held to an international standard for everything like minimum battery life etc so everything in the category will pretty much work the same. the difference in price is for gps or not. fishing the bank and relatively inshore i wouldn't worry about gps as much as if i were running transatlantic or fishing canyons.

pretty much your cookie-cutter epirb: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|714833|175973&id=940207

[DaleH]

Not that a full-scale EPIRB wouldn't be good, as it sure is!!!!, but you could also get a Personal Locator Beacon or PLB for half the price. When we had the group buy' a few years ago, we all got ACR Aquafix 406 PLBs with GPSs in them for < $400 with a ditch bag and 2 rescue strobes.

A good PLB will be GPS-enabled (some have only inputs to them, you want enabled) so you're broadcasting your lat/lon in the alert messaging. PLBs only transmit for 24-hours versus 48-hours for a true EPIRB.

But I think about it this way ... I leave a float plan AND don't have gumbie suits on board for anymore than 2 people, nor any liferaft. Thus it was much 'easier' for me to spend $400 and make sure the boat was equipped with a GPS-fixed PLVB than to cough up $900 or more for a full-size EPIRB.

I also prefer the PLB as it stays in the ditch bag, which is always at the ready, and if needed, I can move it to another boat. CAUTION: One thing to be wary of with full-size EPIRB are the hydrostatic release mounts. You may not believe me, but Boat/US insurance reports are full of such horror stories. Those hydrostatic mounts only trigger when the pressure on the container exceeds that which is about being 14' UNDER seawater. That won't happen on a 20' CC im my humble opinion ... your boat will turn turtle and roll over ... that EPIRB will never release nor activate without human intervention. You could lose your life swimming back under a turned-over hull. Just be safe! That's my reasoning and rationale ... FWIW.

Call Jim at BOE Marine (http://www.boemarine.com/) @ 1-866-735-5926 (press 1 for boats, 2 for electronics)and tell him that Dale from Classic Parker advised that you call him.

http://www.acrelectronics.com/aquafix/aquafix.jpg

[SageBoy]

I also went with the ACR 406 PLB that Dale is referring to and also purchased it from Jim at BOE marine. Because I like to hit the trail in the fall I like the idea of being able to use the PLB for that as well. It just gave me more options to use it which for me helped to justify the purchase.

[nsvencer]

This one as really caught my eye...

http://www.fastfindplb.com/

[DaleH]

Wow, those McMurdo Fastfind model 210 with GPS engines are selling for ~$300 on-line. I've already emailed Jim @ BOE to see if there's any performance advantage with the ACR unit, to compare these 2 PLB units. I also asked if he's interested in a 'group buy'.

http://www.panbo.com/assets_c/2009/02/McMurdo_FastFind_210_cPanbo-thumb-465x368-124.jpg

Stay tuned ...

Here's a review of that unit: http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1700

[nsvencer]

270 shipped after a quick goolale search...they look great to me

[DaleH]

$270 shipped after a quick goolale search...they look great to me

Yes, but 'years ago' some McMurdo units did not test or fare well at all in Powerboat Reports testing. That's why I was curious to see if they've improved ...

[RogerStg]

I agree with Dale on the issues he addressed. I also have the ACR PLB with me on my 20' CC. Due to space limitations and need for ready access, I do not have a proper ditch bag. Instead, I tether my PLB and a handheld radio to one of my life preservers, storing them in the pockets.

After reading of the tragedy in Florida, it occurs to me that if my boat capsizes there is a good chance that the lines will fall out and sink. To address this, I am planning on putting a length of poly line and a knife in a other life preserver.

[nsvencer]

Yeah, read that as well about McMurdo's past. I've also read about ACR's taking waaay longer to acquire...not really sure which one is most relevent for the current production runs.

[CaptSuperfly]

I've been looking at this unit a bunch and am considering it. A couple of issues.

1) While it says waterproof to ten meters it says for "short periods." this concerns me. What's a short period and do they mean short periods at that depth, or short periods in the water.

2) It has to be held with the roll out antenna vertical and "not sitting in a puddle." Also careful not to cover the GPS antenna when you grip it.

Looking at the nightmare scenario where I might deploy a devise like this, I think I'd want something more robust in the "waterproof" department, since I'd likely be in the water with it. Also, bobbing up and down, holding it at the correct angle, feels impractical given what might be happening (bad seas likely if I'm in the water).

what do you guys think? Sounds like this might be good if you're in a raft, but not floating in a jacket. I love the price point but can't bring myself to pull the trigger.

[nsvencer]

I'm thinking a nice strip of Duolock on it and my vest would keep it facing the sky hands free. From the maual

Temporary immersion to
10m (30 ft) for 5 mins.
(IP 58, IPX7)

So it meets IPX7...good enough for me. 5mins at 30' is longer than I can hold my breath.

[fleshfly]

Thanks for all the great input, once I am done shoveling I am going look into it a little more. Thanks