VHF Radio

[BenCantrell]

Thanks for writing the article! Here's what I have. I only used the inReach Mini when I was training for my Catalina crossing (which sadly didn't happen). The HX300 is always on my PFD.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by BenCantrell

I only used the inReach Mini when I was training for my Catalina crossing (which sadly didn't happen).

Ben, I sold my first kayak to a guy who wanted to pedal to Bimini. It would be like pedaling to San Clemente Island. A bit ambitious, but something to shoot for.... One would want to start out in Islamorada to compensate for the gulf stream, and ideally have an escort vessel standing by with AIS to call and inform commercial traffic.

[BenCantrell]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Ben, I sold my first kayak to a guy who wanted to pedal to Bimini. It would be like pedaling to San Clemente Island. A bit ambitious, but something to shoot for.... One would want to start out in Islamorada to compensate for the gulf stream, and ideally have an escort vessel standing by with AIS to call and inform commercial traffic.

Woah.

That's way more ambitious than San Pedro to Two Harbors.

Ugh... I called off the Catalina crossing because the weather forecast was slightly worse than my no-go criteria. Turned out to be much milder than the forecast though, totally doable. It really hurt taking the ferry across looking at how calm the ocean was.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by BenCantrell

Woah.

That's way more ambitious than San Pedro to Two Harbors.

Ugh... I called off the Catalina crossing because the weather forecast was slightly worse than my no-go criteria. Turned out to be much milder than the forecast though, totally doable. It really hurt taking the ferry across looking at how calm the ocean was.

Wrong weather forecasts suck. When I lived in RPV, my neighbor's hobby was long-distance transits with carbon fiber paddle kayaks. He would start out in darkness so he would make it across the channel before noon. The Catalina channel frequently gets pretty nasty in the afternoons.

[Gflann]

Really good discussion point. I’d consider the vhf radio pretty important right after PFD and being dressed for a possible water immersion event.

Best part is the auto playing of Ch 16. I’ve been out before and been able to hear a “special” marine weather statement for small craft advisory that wasn’t active when I launched. Great time to head back in even if it’s nice out. I’ve ignored it once and got my butt kicked all the way in by white caps. Had to pedal from. Children’s pool back in. Almost thought I would roll it a few times. Worst part was I was the only one out there so if I had rolled and became separated from my kayak, a distress call would have been my only chance at getting rescued.

Never going to ignore that broadcast again. The whole way in I was thinking how stupid I was for getting myself into that situation as I was mitigating white caps and following seas.