Anyone else disappointed in NOAA radio?

makingwaves27 · 05-29-2008, 06:05 PM

Doesn't there seem to be an opportunity for better weather radio?

I'm I the only one who listens to the weather channel over my VHF for 30 minutes to try and catch the 15 seconds of weather, wind, and wave information that pertains to the Channel Islands? And most of the time its what that conditions were 2 hours ago!

How about a broadcast that includes best time of the day to go from Ventura, SB, and CI out to the islands and back. How about how is the weather at Miguel, safe to go fish there today or not? Just seems like that radio service could provide so much more pratical and useful weather related information for the boater specific to location.

I check buoy readings and other websites with wave forecasts but that requires being online and they are also something to be improved.

Curious, how does everyone check the weather on and off the water? Favorite websites? Can GetBent add a weather forecast for channel islands that actually provides useful information? You could email forecast info, and special "getbent weather alerts" to boaters on the water that can receive email. Hell, even fishing alerts! That would be really cool.

phishy · 05-29-2008, 06:37 PM

i dont believe noaa was designed for fisherman, Its general weather conditions for any who may be crossing the channel. What your asking for will never happen. As tight as thier budget is, there is no chance anytime in the future of getting anything new. We have to pray to keep what we have.
What i suggest, is maybe beginning to understand the data they give and how it reflects the areas you may be considering fishing.
I honestly most of the times cant make heads or tails of whats being said on the radio because its garbled. What i do use it for is when i am curious when my window of weather will close, and time to go.

Far as being able read and understand the information, using the information to understand patterns. Lets use the 53 bouy.
Between 2 am and 1pm there is a window where the winds are blowing less then 10kts. What i like to look at is historical data of a few days leading up to. Provided we are in somewhat stable weather. Using the last site i gave you, you can really see when its time to pack it up and go home, How long you want plan on being on the water.
By listening to the radio now you can see if the data you had is current with the weather currently.
Also your eyes are one of the best ways to forecast weather. Look as far as you can see...look for cloud cover, fog, etc..You can see it comming most the time. Slight changes in air temps, a cool breeze on my face. First thing i do is look around.
Knowing the limits of your boat, crew and self are all taken into account.

Some places are much more predictable then others. The further north you go on the islands the higher the risk and the further you are from port. Alot of people make the run from CI harbor because of the short crossing to anacapa and the predictable north winds, with a manageble swell direction. When caught in weather you dont want the waves directly infront of you, you right on your stern. The angle you travel swells makes a difference from economy, to safety. Most find it crazy when i say, the place i wanna be is in the trough, the belly of a large swell. I find i have the most control and i can go in either direction with minimal effort. Its probably the most dangerous, but thats my zone.

grantar2 · 05-29-2008, 06:51 PM

Well if your willing to pay, XM has weather radio for the mariner.
XM WX Satellite Weather for Marine Service and Pricing
XM WX Service and Pricing for Marine
The collection of XM WX service packages offer a selection of data sources designed to meet a broad or specialized weather monitoring need at affordable prices. Activation of an XM WX subscription is easily achieved by calling the XM WX Listener Care at 1-800-985-9200 and selecting option number two for activation. Be sure to mention the specific XM WX service package by name.
XM WX Package Name:

Skywatch

Fisherman

Sailor

Master Mariner

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$9.99

$29.99

$49.99

One-Time Activation Fee

$14.99

$50

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Skywatch

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U.S./Can.

High Resolution Canadian Radar

Canada

City Forecasts

U.S.

Storm Echo Tops

U.S.

Lightning

U.S.

Weather Warnings

U.S.

U.S./Can.

Surface Observations

U.S.

U.S./Can.

FishBytes

U.S./Can.

Severe Weather Storm Tracks

U.S./P.R.

Hurricane Track

U.S./P.R.

Precipitation Type (at surface)

U.S./Can./P.R.

Surface Analysis Weather Maps

U.S./Can./P.R.

Marine Weather Statements

U.S.

U.S./Can./P.R.

Marine Lake Statements

U.S.

U.S./Can./P.R.

Marine Forecasts

U.S.

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Marine Zone Forecasts

U.S.

U.S./Can./P.R.

Marine Coastal Forecast

U.S./Can./P.R.

High Seas and Offshore Forecasts

U.S./Can./P.R.

Buoy Data

U.S./Can./P.R.

Sea Surface Temperature

U.S./Can./P.R.

Wave Height (Pacific & Atlantic)

U.S./Can./P.R.

Wave Height Forecast: 12, 24, 36

U.S./Can./P.R.

Surface Pressure

U.S./Can./P.R.

Surface Pressure Forecast: 12, 24, 36

U.S./Can./P.R.

Wave Period (Pacific + Atlantic)

U.S./Can./P.R.

Wave Period Forecast: 12, 24, 36

U.S./Can./P.R.

Wave Direction (Pacific + Atlantic)

U.S./Can./P.R.

Wave Direction Forecast: 12, 24, 36

U.S./Can./P.R.

Surface Wind Speed/Direction

U.S./Can./P.R.

Surface Wind Speed/Direction Forecast: 12, 24, 36

U.S./Can./P.R.

Visibility

U.S./Can./P.R.

Visibility Forecast: 12, 24, 36

U.S./Can./P.R.

Satellite Mosaic

U.S./Can./P.R.

XM WX Specifications:

Skywatch

Fisherman

Sailor

Master Mariner

Note: XM WX Service Packages include all products as identified above - display hardware capabilities vary by manufacturer, and some may not support display of all products.

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About XM Weather : Hardware Solutions

phishy · 05-29-2008, 06:56 PM

been there done that with XM...dont recommend it.
Also need the hardware to support it, which i have. Was not impressed. didnt tell me anything my own 2 eyes couldnt see.

petersmt · 05-29-2008, 08:51 PM

Phishy, Good stuff as always.

I don't think it was mentioned but if you have cell phone coverage on the water you can get up to the minute buoy data by using NOAA's dial a buoy service.

Checkout the link below for the details,
NDBC - Dial-A-Buoy

**Carnivore** · 05-29-2008, 10:51 PM

Kind of a cool service. Like Phishy has said before sometimes you just have to get out. It is all ways a good idea to check it but there forecast could be off either way. They sure messed up the storms last weekend. It is all just an educated guess and sometimes not to edgamakated edder.

makingwaves27 · 07-16-2008, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the comments, suggestions, and tips guys. Given the consensus is your best bet is still my two eyes and gut it does lead me to believe that a better weather service is still needed. XM is heading that direction but I'd hate to pay for a service that doesn't answer the questions I asked earlier.

Good thing I have a boat that can handle big waves by the sound of it! Good fishing.
Jason

cisurfer · 07-16-2008, 10:51 PM

Those damn guys are always wrong anyways.

i gott a agree with Carni

just gotta go find out for yourself
so many times ive headed out and it was snotty only to get nicer and vice versa.
Last weekend it was beautiful at Rosa and windy on the inner waters. You never know

fisha · 07-17-2008, 11:51 AM

i have checked the noaa forecast online right before leaving for catalina before......they said the conditions were mellow........but once we left the harbor we knew that was a crock!! very long, wet trip to the island!! Sometimes they are right, and sometimes they are wrong.....like everyone is saying...sometimes you just have to get out there and see!