Inflatable choice hypalon vs. PVC

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Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
It's 8'3", I think about 6 hp is all it will take. So we should have some fun on it with your motor.

bobtygar-thanks again for the deal.
 

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Inflatable needs to be registered

Make sure you get a solid bill of sale as you will need proof of ownership to register it. You can row it all you want without registration but stick a motor on it and you need to be legal. Fines are hefty, I got stopped once years ago for no numbers on display even though I had the registration on me they gave me a 50 dollar fine. I think it was in Bill Clinton Vacation town of Edgartown. Today that fine would be 250 bucks I'll bet.
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
My sailboat is coast gaurd registered. I still haven't transfered the title to my name. I wanted to get that done before I take it out in the gulf where the coasties are.
Bob said the dink is registered with a clear title. Is it like a car, he signs the title and I transfer it when it gets here?
 
Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Should Be

I think it should work like that but each state is different and here you are crossing state lines. When I moved to NC I tried to register my homebuilt wooden dinghy, NC doesn't register boats at the DMV, they do it at stores that sell boating stuff. I had the Mass. registration and all but they said they couldn't do it, I had to send everything to Raleigh and, big surprise, a bunch of money and I got the registration a few weeks later. This was not a change of ownership, just a change of location. Just make sure you have a clean bill of sale and if it was previously registered if there is a place to sign over that. Not sure in Texas where you go to register a boat, you might want to research on the internet to find out.
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Forget about a life raft for now. It will cost you thousands for one. It is $500 for an EPIRB, but if you go on a long trip it is cheaper to rent one. For everyday use buy a DSC class D capable VHF radio and hook it up to a GPS chartplotter. If you get in trouble flip the tab and push the button and it transmits who you are and where you are to the Coasties and everyone around you. I just bought a brand new DSC class D VHF for $130. I had an older SH-150C GPS chartplotter, but new Garmins can be had for $400 and will also simplify life for you, as it is tough to figure out how to sail and to fiddle about with your paper chart (you should still have paper as a back up though).

Regarding a dinghy. The best deal in the world is still the 9.4 Water Tender. Cathedral hull for stability. Positive floatation isn't a claim, but mine has stayed floating when filled to the seats with water. No shipping, just pick up at your local West Marine. Frequently on sale for 10-20% off this price too. Plus I guarantee that you will still be enjoying your dinghy 30+ years from now and you won't have to patch diddly or sweat the sun. Lighter than most inflatables too (114lbs). Easy to row and will take a 5 hp outboard.

Downsides? Stable, but not as stable as an inflatable and will only carry 480lbs (no problem for you two...I have had three people in mine...limit is pretty conservative). Mine won't plane with more than me aboard with a 4 hp, but will with just me.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...eId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
Bobm-I hadn't seen that boat from west marine before. That is a good deal for that.
I like that I can store the inflatable easily though. I would have issues with a boat that is 9'4" trying to get that onto the foredeck.
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
I also just bought a DSC radio for about $130. I didn't get a remote mic or anything so I am thinking of mounting it where I can reach in from the cockpit and get the hand mic. I bought a chart plotter 6 months ago and just got the navionics card for it.
I think for coastal cruising a DSC radio hooked up to a gps is the way to go instead of an epirb.

I have a small waterproof magellan and I plan on getting a handheld dsc so I can easily take them with us in case we have to ditch.
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
I think for coastal cruising a DSC radio hooked up to a gps is the way to go instead of an epirb.

ummm...nope. Best thing for coastal cruising is the personal epirb for about $200. It can be carried with you so if the boat sinks, it still transmits and it has unlimited range and the signal goes directly to the coast guard. You can also take it on other boats.

Your radio will not transmit through water and if the mast is down, you are looking at a 1 mile range if that. Even if all is good and just need a tow, you are only going to get a 25 mile transmit and if you plan on going anywhere in the Gulf besides the local hops, then you'll be more that 25 miles from shore and mostlikely ships too.
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
$200 is pretty cheap. I was jsut talking about going along the coast, I don't want to do any open ocean cruising. at $200 that's hard to beat though.
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
$200 is pretty cheap. I was jsut talking about going along the coast, I don't want to do any open ocean cruising. at $200 that's hard to beat though.
Doing the coast is more dangerous in the norther Gulf than out past the contenental shelf (deep water but a long way away from shore). Reason is Rigs, lack of other boats/ships around that can be of help, floating logs coming from the rivers and so on. You had talked about going to Florida. From CC you need to get out into the deep water and follow near the shipping lanes for that. Good news for you is that it's a near straight shot to Florida from where you are at, but from here we have to go SE first.
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Franklin...are you holding out on us?

ummm...nope. Best thing for coastal cruising is the personal epirb for about $200. It can be carried with you so if the boat sinks, it still transmits and it has unlimited range and the signal goes directly to the coast guard. You can also take it on other boats.

The cheapest 406 MHz personal EPIRB I can find is $335 and that is out of stock (nearly $400 elsewhere). I have read a bunch of bad things about the cheaper Spot PLB's, however, since a boat has a pretty good line of sight to a satellite they probably work better than for a hiker. I found them for under $100...of course its $100/year for a subscription.

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/comments/000419.php
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
Doing the coast is more dangerous in the norther Gulf than out past the contenental shelf (deep water but a long way away from shore). Reason is Rigs, lack of other boats/ships around that can be of help, floating logs coming from the rivers and so on. You had talked about going to Florida. From CC you need to get out into the deep water and follow near the shipping lanes for that. Good news for you is that it's a near straight shot to Florida from where you are at, but from here we have to go SE first.
Are you suggesting that I don't coastal hop, and just cut straight through the gulf to Fla.?
Would you do that in an old catalina 30?
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
During summer, no; during winter, maybe; during spring, yes, but that has more to do with the un-predictability of the weather than the boat. Once you get your boat out into the gulf with real wind in the sails, you'll see she can handle it.

Like I said in a previous post, all you really need is an epirb and lifejacks if you are just going to be 200 miles off shore...and a few other things to get their attention when they are flying over you. If the boat sinks, it sinks. No since in having a boat that can't float :) and being 5 miles offshore or 200 miles offshore isn't going to make any difference except all that stuff to run into and rougher waves.
 

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
Are you suggesting that I don't coastal hop, and just cut straight through the gulf to Fla.?
Would you do that in an old catalina 30?
make sure you have ports to duck into during the t storms that come up on ye during the summer months thru end of hurrycame season....they are not fun and make some fierce sailing....i, personally, like the farther out in the gulf seas--they are not as big as those near coast---we are currently in tampa bay watching a tboomer grow and hearing the noises resulting from them. if you look at the satellite weather on storm pulse and wunderground for the gulf every day you will be able to check which way you personally might prefer---the storms are nasty and pack winds to 60 kts inside them and rough up the seas very well...and the lightning kinda suxxxxxx.....good luck....the old 30 would be a solid boat to do it in--the newer ones arent as strong of hull...epirb negotiable--lifejackets mandatory....we have been doing passages farther out to sea than most do--i enjoy the distance from land myself--the water is nice and the surge less dramatic in a storm....file a float plan with friends and check in with them regularly and keep them posted as to exactly where you expect to be at what days----if you have the toy named spot--use it--is fun for your friends to be able to track you--it wont call for help for you but it will show where you are and path you travelled.....make sure you are able to sail in stiff breeze/high wind situations.......
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
...-it wont call for help for you ....
Yes you can. There are 3 pre-programmed responses you can send to people's cell phones and or email by a press of one button. The first message is a default "All OK". The second message is a pre-programmed message like "I need help like a tow" and the third message is a 911 type call that goes to the coast guard. Each message also sends corridinates and time. It covers most of the globe but not all of it like hight lats in Pacific.
 

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
Yes you can. There are 3 pre-programmed responses you can send to people's cell phones and or email by a press of one button. The first message is a default "All OK". The second message is a pre-programmed message like "I need help like a tow" and the third message is a 911 type call that goes to the coast guard. Each message also sends corridinates and time. It covers most of the globe but not all of it like hight lats in Pacific.
that is really good to know--is less costly than epirb and therefore more readily use able for those with low budgets--and friends and family can find ye!!
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
Some of the reviews for the Spot, say there was difficulty in sending messages. Many said they do not trust it to save their lives. Also, they were ripped off concerning their rebate. If you buy one, just consider the price you paid at the store the total cost. I loathe dealing with dishonest companies. Sirius radio is another dishonest company. I had to cancel my debit card because of Sirius radio. I kept on my bank, and my bank refunded the money back.
 
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