boat questions

[jodi805]

Well GB got a bunch of boat prep. questions I got Ideas on most but Id rather be dialed in from truely expierienced boat owners. heres my questions:

1. New or used FF for 200.00 or so? (got one?)
2. Handheld or mounted or both on radio?
3. 23ft. boat what anchor? chain lenth? and rope dia.and lenth.?
4. what gps for around 100.00
On all the electronics simple ones are the key to me being succesful

Thanks for any help on these question and if theres any nice condition used id be interested, Im also lookin for one of those shade tops w/ rod holders for center counsil boats or similar..Again thanks for sharing youre expirience on any of these questions.

[ILOVEBEER]

Mounted radio and a cell phone is all you'll need around here. If you don't have a hard top or place for the mounted version, handhelds work good too.

On my 22', I have a danforth rated to a 28'er with 8' of chain rode and 300' line. I think the line is 3/8's but not sure. PLENTY of hold power. I may even have an extra one you can have.

I have a Garmin GPS that already has all the hot spots from Ventura - to the islands - to Point Conception loaded and ready to go. It comes with the mount and plug. You just need to buy an antenna. My boat has a new setup so I don't need it anymore. It works bitchen. I don't have the manual but it needs a good home so yours free (well, maybe a couple fishing trips!) if you can use it. I just need to transfer some waypoints to my new one and it's yours if you want it.

I'm in Europe until June 25th but shoot me a PM if you're interested and you can come check it out.

[Carnivore]

Fish finder is the same as the boat buy the max you can afford. It will be worth it in the long run. $200 you are looking at the real low end of the scale but keep checking ebay an craigs list they pop up from time to time at really good prices. Personally like the older furuno, raymarine an lowrance. Couldn't give ya unit numbers I really don't remember. BUY COLOR!!! you will thank me in the long run.

Mounted Radio is going to travel farther so if at all possible get one with a long whip antenna. My hand held icom won't hit the mainland from the islands but my NH will hit Los Angeles no problem.

Anchor is a personally choice. Stay away from fluke style anchors they won't hold an bend easy. I have a lewmar plow anchor (Bruce style knock off) that works bitchen. VERY IMPORTANT!!!! have at least as much chain as the length of your boat!!! The chain acts as a weight holding the anchor at the proper angle to set an a shock for water surge an waves. I have 30' of chain on my 23' boat 3/8 dia with 1/2 inch rode about 250' or so. The rode came with the boat so not sure of the length but I ain't pulling more then a 100' anyway.

GPS....the garmin 128 series is a great unit that you can find for good prices on ebay etc... if the one that ILB doesn't work for ya. I would go fixed mount on this...hand helds are harder to line up when hitting a spot an the screens are smaller.

[jodi805]

about 23/25 ft. chain and 150ft. rope, I gonna prolly get ILBeer gps.but ill have to pay somthing for it or il feel kinda bad,but how generous! I got a big dash in the center counsil for radio and FF, Im use to using the hand held gps gettin back to the radio theres one threr now but its not what I want for seeking help with , It has a bout a 6 foot antena Shakespere folding style.On the FF The problem is that if theres too many features it becomes a hastle for me ,color is nice but the decent ones start about 300. well ill order some stuff on ebay tonite like radio and safty kit/I need another cptns. chair too. BTW ill post pics of the inside of the boat fri. thanks for all the great advice.

[ILOVEBEER]

I think the one I have is a Garmin 128. If it's not, it looks just like it. I'm not home so I can't check.

I mis-typed, I have 18' of chain

[ILOVEBEER]

Originally Posted by jodi805

about 23/25 ft. chain and 150ft. rope, I gonna prolly get ILBeer gps.but ill have to pay somthing for it or il feel kinda bad,but how generous!

It's not for sale. Sorry.

[patrickob]

id go two vhf if one goes out, dont get the 3 in one gps-fishfinder-radar cuz if it goes out....

[jodi805]

yup your right.

[grantar2]

Jodi, buy a mounted VHF radio with DSC, and a fishfinder with a GPS unit that supports hooking up to your VHF. Don't skimp on your life. The emergency transmit button is special and worth it.

Anchor, Carni is right the bruce style is the best all round and min 1 foot of chain for each foot of boat. In nice conditions scope should be min 5 to 1, that is 5 times the depth counted from teh hight of the deck. So if you in 30' of water and the roller is 5 feet off the water, your rode should be 5 X 35' feet. This is a lunch hook, in bad weather you want 7 to 9 times. It is the horizontal lay of the rode not the weight of the anchor that secures the boat.

Although I am a big Humminbird fan, if you plan to upgrade your system later to include radar you might want to consider, Garmin, Lowrance or the like. Most of them no build modular systems. By the way I also carry, a handheld on board. If I have to go in the water for some reason because the boat sinks, and we have had that happen to GB members, the handheld on your body, may save your life.

I have to say I am a touch safety excessive, I have mounted and handheld VHF (both waterproof) Three times the number of flares I need (some in ditch bag), EPRIB, cell phone and always wear a PFD. (usually inflateable).

When $h_t happens, it usually happens fast and you need everything at hand, working and the best you can afford. The nice part is most of it isn't all that expensive.

[jodi805]

Yep, good info. there! thanks Arthur. Now is the DSC the one that gives coastgaurd youre position? BTW Im one of those members that have been in the water. I decided to get fixed mount only but im gettin both now that you made the obvious point! Thanks. Oh yeah Im bidding on a 5x life jacket for myself too (ebay). Need a good kicker Too..