No, but I have another suggestion (not a brand). Practice, practice, practice. Reminds of the story of a cruising couple from New England (Connecticut) we once knew. The wife was relating a story of an anchoring situation where her husband was yelling at her. She finally retorted: "Please stop yelling and just tell me what to do." His reply: "If I knew what to do, I wouldn't be yelling!" Hilarious!!I read once about using Walkie talkies with headsets to communicate between the helm and bow, rather than yelling to each other (saves marriages). Anybody try this and suggestions for brands?
How well does it work in high wind?, or in an emergency situation at night where you might have to reanchor--do you take time to find 'em and hook 'em up?ours work fantastically.
Not exactly--it was only this past summer when a boat we were anchoring with had this very issue. As we watched, at night, in high wind, their multiple attempts to reset the anchor, I could clearly hear them shouting, at times yelling, to each other, but they evidently could not hear each other well. Visuals were also bad. A very stressful evening for all. The next day I offered the suggestion that they try the head-gear option which many cruisers of large boats, such as theirs, have aboard. She told me that they had 'em; they're not useful in high wind, etc. An aid, perhaps, they might be for some folks; but not a substitute for a routine that works from PRACTICE.Emergency at night? You are inventing boogie men.
So Stu, with hand signals, how would you tell the person at the helm to back slow in reverse for one boat length while steering hard to starboard. I know you want to but you're not allowed to use your middle finger.Save $$ figure out how to use hand signals. Fwd, neutral, reverse - gee three things to remember...
That person should already know that that is part of the routine. I just walk back to the cockpit and say "Idle in reverse." Then later "Power in reverse." But she already knows that we're going to do that. Actually, there are times when I do not leave the cockpit until just prior to dropping the hook. We're discussing the situation up until then. Why in the f... does the skipper think he needs to be up there on the bow long b/f the time hook is let go? Too much copy-catting of poor routines one sees everywhere? Yeah--open the locker, position the anchor for the drop, then return, or stand near enough, to the helm to be heard clearly. However, whether I do or do not stand close, or whether I go forward early or late, or whether I use hand signals or shout, my helm knows what is going to happen and in what order.So Stu, with hand signals, how would you tell the person at the helm to back slow in reverse for one boat length while steering hard to starboard. I know you want to but you're not allowed to use your middle finger.