[Nick Heath]

If you or I were to spend 4 or more years coming up with an ‘action plan’, we would insist on it having specific objectives, priorities, resources needed, a timeline and how its success might be measured.

This action plan seems to have none of these, but it is good that BC Parks recognize that Marine Recreation is something they need t0 pay attention to.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Folks, I got a pair of wheels given to me and I am not sure how these work. They are smaller than my usual ones and don’t have a kick stand. Someone told me that they might be secondary or bow wheels for a canoe. Has anyone had experience with these? Would they be useful as secondary wheels for a double? Or useless for kayaks?

thanks, Katya

 

[Debra Merchant]

BC Parks has released its Marine Recreation Action Plan and I encourage you to browse through or dig deep as you wish. This has been a work in progress for several years with significant input from BC Marine Trails (see pg 7). It’s a positive step forward. There are five goals. One is to protect and enhance marine recreation and another is to promote marine stewardship.

See for yourself: https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/MRAP_2d7821ccf5.pdf

SKABC will be responding to BC Parks so please post your comments here or directly to me if you prefer.  (conservation1@skabc.org)

[Former Member]

I am in Victoria, but would travel to pick up, thx.

[George Prevost]

Mustang Survival are having a warehouse sale this weekend at their Burnaby location.  This might be a good chance to pick up some well-priced paddling gear.  Sale times and dates are:

Friday Nov.18th – 1pm to 5:30pm
Saturday Nov.19th – 9am to 5pm

(Thanks to Mike Gilbert for bringing this to my attention and asking me to pass it on to our members.)

[Maureen Benzon]

wow. This post has certainly got out of hand. Please keep replies polite, and to the point.

Thank you Andrew for getting back on track with a simple and useful response. The battery tray is usually an optional accessory that must be purchased separately, but well worth it for peace of mind.

 

[Former Member]

radio with DSC.  The utility of DSC for emergency communication was persuasive.I have found the GPS useful for very simple navigation.  i.e. crossing howe sound in limited vis and wanting to make a specific landing.  The GPS does not replace a real GPS for multi-way point navigation.

*** i would halfway agree. DSC is useful… if you can reach another radio. Most marine radio aboard big boats are 25w and have a much higher antenna. The issue we have is we are near the water and depending how much power is left on our battery we may not be able to push much. If you can’t connect to a DSC system your SOS is not that useful. That’s why i went with a marine VHf and mine garmin. It use satellite and get GPS. So i’m sure when i push that sos someone will hear me. Also having 2 devices is a back up and doesn’t use  all the battery life. To many whistles can drain one devices

 

DSC sends extra info to CC.  ROC made it clear that CC values this.  DSC also sends useful info to your buddy (i.e. location) without you having to figure it out.  Also useful.PS.  I also strongly recommend you complete your ROC, even if you did it before.  Its a skill you want to be good at if you ever have an emergency.

** i agree ROC is highly recommended sadly is expensive. That’s why i try to offer better $$ for kayakers. I have my radio on all the time, even were part of a mayday relay. Don’t underestimate the value of VHF marine

 

[Former Member]

Based on my ROC, which I completed last winter, I would only buy a radio with DSC.  The utility of DSC for emergency communication was persuasive.

I have found the GPS useful for very simple navigation.  i.e. crossing howe sound in limited vis and wanting to make a specific landing.  The GPS does not replace a real GPS for multi-way point navigation.

DSC sends extra info to CC.  ROC made it clear that CC values this.  DSC also sends useful info to your buddy (i.e. location) without you having to figure it out.  Also useful.

PS.  I also strongly recommend you complete your ROC, even if you did it before.  Its a skill you want to be good at if you ever have an emergency.

[Former Member]

I linked a radio that is affordable and designed to use AAA batteries. It is widely recommended. I find this to be an operable solution for recreational kayaking.

*** here the one i recommend:

https://ca.binnacle.com/product_info.php?products_id=8721&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgribBhDkARIsAASA5bs2-gzD90q6S1kHASgU1N1QYER0d2Kttzr-VIrElShdYQqkw7FffxsaAkXqEALw_wcB

 

 

I’m just trying to help OP. If you want to argue with strangers, you might enjoy facebook.

** there a difference between arguing and been disrespectful. Accusing someone of disinformation get into this category. Helping others is all i do. But i feel compelled to response when little know it all accuse me especially when they are pretty wrong. Sorry i don’t do Facebook, i got better things to do.

[Richard Cordner]

—

[Former Member]

Sorry Daniel but as a tech I have to say yours is a rather unqualified opinion and resembles misinformation, so I feel the need to clarify for the OP.

*** not sure what kind of tech you are but as an amateur radio and instructor of VHF marine radio i believe i am pretty qualified and would say your  Statement is very offensive.

“USB rechargeable” isn’t a battery type its a means of charging
** i am aware it’s a charging solution. It is why  as i explain my recommendations are to use that system instead of depending on variable battery

Various battery chemistries come in AA and AAA form factors including rechargeable lithium. Your claims about power output are misinformed.

*** maybe Mister tech here should read more before accusing  other of mis information:

The AA Batteries and Your Radio

différent batteries will effect performance and even some radio will automatically decrease their power is they have AA. So when i try to make to make an emergency call facing a 3w transmit vs a 5 w or even 6 w can make a difference between getting help vs not been heard. I have AA pack for all my radio….. as a backup but not as my main. 1 is  none and 2 is one. i would challenge anyone to use their AA pack vs a normal battery during an emergency when you will used a lot of power because of transmission

.

Removable batteries are preferable for people who depend on kit in rugged conditions because they are more operable resilient and easy to replace or carry spares. Also they are better for the environment because the equipment doesn’t age out with the volatile internal cell
*** oh really, so you mean that the AA battery you carry outside your bag won’t be affected by the weather?? Anyone that has spend time in the outdoor can attest how the performance of their headlamp can be affected by the cold. So now imagine a device that is made to work on 12v mainly that you feed with AA batteries?? What you think will happe. To the 1-2 pack of battery you carry in your gear getting submitted to the same tempera then your radio. Not only that we live in an environment where we are surrounded by sea water… corrosive sea water. Marine radio are built to keep their battery back protected but frer AA battery not as much. Dry bag can fail.You really want to bet your life on it?? Vs as i said many people carrying many banks or way to recharge  via usb. It’s call having a backup plan. Plus as i mentioned a phone can also been a tool that can save your life. Where the usb bank also help. Maybe as a tech you should spend more time in the field and less behind a computer.

[Richard Cordner]

—

[Former Member]

I wouldn’t want my radio to depend only on AA batteries. Usually those are as an emergency. They would maybe able to generate 1-2 call with them and even i don’t think you would get the full 5-6 W out of your radio. Instead my radio is usb rechargeable. There a lot of people now carrying electronic and battery banks in group making easy to recharge in case of emergency. I have actually an emergency bank in my ditch bag. That way i can recharge my phone and my radio.

 

[Richard Cordner]

—

[Former Member]

Thanks for the tips! So far I’m thinking the S. H. HX890 is best. I’ll keep looking, until I  make a firm choice.

[Author]

Replies