Some Thoughts on New Helms(wo)men: My Wife

[Dave R]

I hate to be negative, but really, how could one possibly come up with an objective on the water test for a boater? There are too many variables in boats, wind, and wave conditions to make it possible to accurately measure true competence.

IMO, incompetent boating is not really a big problem in need of a solution, it tends to fix itself either through attrition or experience gained by bad judgement. There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part, the bad boaters get weeded out. There are always new ones to take their place, but that's just the way it will always be.

FWIW, if you only boat on Winnipesaukee, you likely have no idea just how good you have it. The boating experience on the lake is truly fantastic compared to most other places. I spent Saturday night at a dock by the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth and witnessed countless safe passage violations in direct view of the omnipresent coast guard and often-present NHMP. Boats were routinely passing my docked boat, fully on-plane, within 25 feet. That's just the way it often is off Winni... I was prepared for it with 6 lines and 5 fenders; my boat was unscathed.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by Dave R

I hate to be negative, but really, how could one possibly come up with an objective on the water test for a boater? There are too many variables in boats, wind, and wave conditions to make it possible to accurately measure true competence.

IMO, incompetent boating is not really a big problem in need of a solution, it tends to fix itself either through attrition or experience gained by bad judgement. There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part, the bad boaters get weeded out. There are always new ones to take their place, but that's just the way it will always be.

FWIW, if you only boat on Winnipesaukee, you likely have no idea just how good you have it. The boating experience on the lake is truly fantastic compared to most other places. I spent Saturday night at a dock by the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth and witnessed countless safe passage violations in direct view of the omnipresent coast guard and often-present NHMP. Boats were routinely passing my docked boat, fully on-plane, within 25 feet. That's just the way it often is off Winni... I was prepared for it with 6 lines and 5 fenders; my boat was unscathed.

You should (and probably have) watch some of the YouTubes on some of the Florida ports like Haulover for instance...the way they operate down there, it’s a wonder people aren’t killed on a daily basis. Crazy.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Dave R

FWIW, if you only boat on Winnipesaukee, you likely have no idea just how good you have it. The boating experience on the lake is truly fantastic compared to most other places. I spent Saturday night at a dock by the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth and witnessed countless safe passage violations in direct view of the omnipresent coast guard and often-present NHMP. Boats were routinely passing my docked boat, fully on-plane, within 25 feet. That's just the way it often is off Winni... I was prepared for it with 6 lines and 5 fenders; my boat was unscathed.

This is so true Dave!

Dan

[dt5150]

my wife flat out refuses to drive the boat in any way, says it gives her anxiety...
this can make for some stressful family outings for me since i have to do everything. in particular, it would be very helpful to have her at the wheel while setting the anchor. it's fun to be up on the bow dropping anchor and then scoot back to the helm to put the boat in gear to set it... it'd be nice if she could just put it in reverse for a few seconds, not hard to do.. she won't touch the steering wheel or any controls at all, even at idle speed!

[Meredith AK]

I am very fortunate in that my wife is a better captain than I am. She's been doing it all her life as she grew up around boats and I learned how to navigate over a few years from her and my father-in-law being my "co-pilots". We take turns driving our pontoon around with 2-10 of our closest friends. Whoever drives is drinking water and the other one can enjoy some more serious libations. Having two people on the boat who know what they are doing makes for a much more relaxed docking and anchoring procedure and the rest of the passengers on board can sit back and enjoy the trip.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by dt5150

my wife flat out refuses to drive the boat in any way, says it gives her anxiety...
this can make for some stressful family outings for me since i have to do everything. in particular, it would be very helpful to have her at the wheel while setting the anchor. it's fun to be up on the bow dropping anchor and then scoot back to the helm to put the boat in gear to set it... it'd be nice if she could just put it in reverse for a few seconds, not hard to do.. she won't touch the steering wheel or any controls at all, even at idle speed!

Why not simply teach her how to pull the anchor from it's locker and "plop" it in the water --- only thing that's needs some training & communication back to the Captain is "setting" it …. a few gentle tugs (there is a simple technique) and voila … problems solved.


Although my wife does not like to drive ( she can & is capable) she fills in on all the other helpful duties i.e. stern lines when backing into our Marina dock, stern lines when docking anywhere, taking the helm when I have to visit the "head" and of course- dropping the bow anchor at sandbars...…….. guess I'm one of the lucky ones.


P.S. -- she has already made it clear that after 35 years of boating together -- the NEXT boat must come equipped with a power Winch/windlass ( not human Wench).

[Descant]

Originally Posted by dt5150

my wife flat out refuses to drive the boat in any way, says it gives her anxiety...
this can make for some stressful family outings for me since i have to do everything. in particular, it would be very helpful to have her at the wheel while setting the anchor. it's fun to be up on the bow dropping anchor and then scoot back to the helm to put the boat in gear to set it... it'd be nice if she could just put it in reverse for a few seconds, not hard to do.. she won't touch the steering wheel or any controls at all, even at idle speed!

You should at least teach her how to use the VHF to call for help if something happens to you. And know enough navigation to tell others where you are.

[BrunoSR]

I wonder how many boats on the lake have VHF radios aboard?

One's that do, do they turn them on?

I have purchased two new boats in the last three years and neither had a VHF as an option when they were ordered.

I do carry a hand held VHF but it is there just in case, other wise it's off.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by BrunoSR

I wonder how many boats on the lake have VHF radios aboard?

One's that do, do they turn them on?

I have purchased two new boats in the last three years and neither had a VHF as an option when they were ordered.

I do carry a hand held VHF but it is there just in case, other wise it's off.

I've not gotten a VHF in the six summers I've boated. I look at them periodically, but I don't want a permanent install and the handhelds always (seem to) get mediocre ratings. Anyone have a good suggestion?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Phantom]

There are a couple of philosophies regarding VHF radio's nowadays

In the past, they were essential in that MP actually monitored CH 16 from Glendale and us old timers will remember "Mighty Mo" who assisted Marine Patrol in monitoring from Moultonborough. Cell phone coverage was spotty at best in those days. So it was an essential option for boaters to have one aboard (not handheld).

As a side note - Mighty Mo was also always available for questions or directions as well as he often times warned boaters of storms moving in on our direction & other helpful advisories.


Today, the cell phone coverage is vastly improved (but hardly perfect- especially in the West Alton area) & MP does not monitor from Glendale any longer … only in their boats, which they cannot hear if underway. Yet, I am STILL of the opinion that the fastest way to get help (from Good Samaritans) in the case of an emergency or simply calling for assistance is by the use of the VHF even today.


Every time I step in the boat, the blower goes on & the VHF does too !!


Regarding handhelds -- they are essentially useless as they are only 3 Watts and distance is a SEVERE issue ….. which has been debated here in another thread years ago

The good news is that Ch #16 has quieted down now without all the typical weekend warriors of the past thinking it was a "CB" radio
("Good Buddy")


.

[Descant]

Good points, Phantom. I don't know how prevalent this is now, but marinas used to monitor VHF, sometimes on ch 9 instead of ch 16, so it was mostly for their customers. A handheld will usually get you a contact within a couple of miles. If you're in Center Harbor and need help, you don't really care if somebody in West Alton hears you. When I had a jetski, I always carried a handheld in a water proof carrier. Never needed it, felt good to have it.
Biggest problem with any device is being able to hear over engine/wind noise when you're cruising. I think SeaTow and Tow BoatUS also monitor Ch 16. so there are helpers listening, but they don't participate in the C B style chatter.

[ishoot308]

All fishermen on the lake who have and use VHF radios monitor and use channel 12. If I had a serious problem on the lake, especially in the morning hours, a hail on channel 12 would bring help the quickest. I would then follow with another hail on 16.

Dan

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

All fishermen on the lake who have and use VHF radios monitor and use channel 12. If I had a serious problem on the lake, especially in the morning hours, a hail on channel 12 would bring help the quickest. I would then follow with another hail on 16.

Dan

Is there a handheld that is powerful enough to make it worth having?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Is there a handheld that is powerful enough to make it worth having?
[/URL]

Simple answer --- NO

They are ALL 5 watt units …. standard versions are toglle between 5W & 25W.

The handheld will carry a "reasonable" distance-- but for example - We are in Saunders Bay and it will not carry to Stonedam Isl (tried many a time) on the other hand, a handheld can "Hear" everything -- you just can't respond or acknowledge ….. which gets frustrating.

Yes, we have a handheld too, but use it for nearby boat to boat when we have friends visiting (loaner concept).

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Is there a handheld that is powerful enough to make it worth having?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I have one (hand held) at my island camp that works fairly well. It's a 5 watt Standard Horizon STD-HX370S. When out on my deck my antenna is up pretty high, I would guess 20' above the water so I get fairly good coverage. From the West side of Welch I have I have spoken to people at Weirs, Center harbor, Diamond island etc. Its all about antenna height and line of sight. Yes wattage is lower than an installed unit so it obviously not going to have the power or range of an installed VHF. They do make a separate taller antenna that you could hook to a handheld which would increase your range but honestly I think before I went that route I would simply get an installed unit and be done with it...There are ways to utilize quick release mounts so you can remove the radio quickly when needed, same for the antenna...

The installed unit in my boat is a Lowrance VHF Marine Radio,Link-8,DSC attached to a 8' Shakespeare phase 3 antenna on the top of my helm. This puts me about 16' above the water...it works well.

Dan

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Descant

Biggest problem with any device is being able to hear over engine/wind noise when you're cruising.

I think SeaTow and Tow BoatUS also monitor Ch 16. so there are helpers listening, but they don't participate in the C B style chatter.

Descant - You are right on both points.

I have always used an "amplified" external speaker that is mounted under my dash it's a box essentially 3.5"x3.5" and wired into the fuse box. This allows super amplification and simply plugs into earphone jack of radio.
Mine was an old Radio Shack purchase but similar are still available as below link

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BC23A-...s%2C140&sr=8-3

Your second point - Yes, Sea Tow and especially Tow Boat US are on the water (at least every weekend) and are monitoring #16.

[Wifi-1]

An external antenna would help handhelds. Rather than parrot this, take a look at this thread:

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...hlight=antenna

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by Wifi-1

An external antenna would help handhelds. Rather than parrot this, take a look at this thread:

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...hlight=antenna

The "rubber duck" antennas on handhelds tend to be more like leaky dummy loads. I have made a few 'duck' antennas for my VHF marine handhelds and they worked pretty well, though they were a little unwieldy. In most cases the handheld gets connected to the VHF whip mounted on my boat. It greatly increases the range of the radio.

I presently use a Uniden handheld and it has served me well over the past 10 years. It's gotten me and a few others out of some problems out on the lake.