hemilis
Forum Replies Created
-
The conventional wisdom with the offshore folks is “Mecury will get you there first, Yamaha will get you home.” I’ve seen a lot of guides out of Matagorda & Port O’Connor that run Suzuki’s. Better price point from what they tell me. My boats were all Yamahas just because they came that way. You will have to remove a plastic panel on a Yamaha to change the oil though. Were I to do it again, my current motor is a 2002 F225, I would get the motor that had the longest free guarantee. Some of the boat show deals went out six years.
-
I like the mini starlink idea. Anything satellite based would be better in the areas that you frequent. While i like the cell phone app idea, here’s the deal. Capability and usability are two different things. While your phone is a more than capable display device, I’m not sure i see you putting your rod down and getting out your phone to check on the weather. What was good about my Garmins was they were integrated with radar, xm weather, vhf etc. All of that technology could display on the chart plotter. I had mostly xm weather overlayed over the garmin navigation chart. Same with radar although I did not run radar and xm weather at the same time. And i did have an inreach that would display text messages on the chart plotters. Using my phone was out of the question and Elon had not released Star Link at that point. But now, I would have device integration very high on my list for selecting a new chart plotter system. I don’t particularly care for Garmin and their so called “integration” but having it all in one place that i could see and use was the ticket. Something mounted on the dash that you can see at a glance while driving and then maybe something mounted on the front of the console or up in the bow where you stand so you can glance down and get information quickly about the water and the sky.
-
Another aspect not mentioned are storm clouds. Can see thunder heads moving your way. XM Weather has a lot better distance of course but a good 24″ radome can see to just past the horizon depending on high it is mounted. Mine was up top so say 12- 15′ above the water line. The actual radar returns I could see in the 20 mile range. I found and chased a shrimp boat 80 miles out because the radar system could paint the boat’s AIS signal. With the settings turned down to say 1/8 or 1/4 mile range you would definitely see a blip for the piling.
-
Since your next boat probably will not have a t-top, please take into consideration the mounting location of the unit. In the photo above, the radar unit is mounted at the same height as the person’s head in the bow of the boat. Here is why that is noteworthy:
“Marine radar emits non-ionizing radiation in the form of microwaves, typically in the X-band (8-12 GHz) or S-band (2-4 GHz) frequency ranges. These microwave signals are used to detect objects by bouncing off surfaces and returning to the radar receiver.
While marine radar does emit electromagnetic radiation, it is generally considered safe for humans at normal operating distances. However, prolonged exposure at close range—especially near high-powered radar systems—should be avoided to minimize potential risks.”
-
You’ll probably be looking at a Radome radar and probably not the Open Array radars which are more powerful. Even the Radomes come in different sizes and powers. I had a Garmin GMR 24 that had extended range. I didn’t use it very much but when I did it was very handy. In your case, think of a very foggy morning on the MRGO. Your radar will illuminate both shorelines and anything in front of, and behind, you. I suspect that given your past, you are no stranger to radar. Second, my Garmin could locate and paint AIS transponders. In my case I was receive-only, but say you were looking for a trawler. They will emit an AIS signal that you will be able to see on your radar with an id too that you can look up on the internet. Third, bird tracking. I did not use the bird tracking feature but several of my friends did. It saved two 35+ mile fishing trips out of Matagorda when the visibility due to fog was less than 100 yards. Heavy rain is another good example of when radar can be handy. Be prepared to install a marine LAN to hook up your devices or just make sure that your chart plotter can handle several rj-45 inputs. I had my two transducers on an rj-45 of each chart plotter and the radar on the second rj45 of the other. VHF radios, sirius xm marine, and etc were on the lan. It is a true comfort to come and go in the dark and have a breadcrumb trail and radar. Breadcrumb will tell you where to go and radar will tell you if there is anything in your path. FLIR? Amazon.com : SiOnyx Nightwave Camera, Rugged Ultra-Low Light Night Vision Marine Camera, Flexible Connectivity, Temporary and Permanent Mounting Options, DIY Installation, Black : Electronics. Good luck looking!
-
A more detailed look at Elon’s offering:
-
I found this interesting:
DIRECT_TO_CELL_SERVICE_FEB_25.pdf
Devin: this probably wouldn’t work for you because your data requirements are beyond simple text messaging. But for LAFBEliters who have T-Mobile cellular service this might be something of interest that might be a low or no cost option for emergency communications.
-
I don’t go offshore any more and I pretty much stay in the Mississippi sound areas so I can’t verify this but I nevertheless found this interesting: https://www.tampnet.com/gom. If any of you have friends that work offshore maybe they can help verify.
If you insure your boat with Geico you will get a free Boat US membership that includes unlimited towing on the water and while you are trailering your boat. Boat US will dispatch Sea Tow if there are no Boat US operators in the area.
-
I understand bouncing around rigs & wrecks– did that offshore a lot where I had coords or they were above water. I’ve heard about the rig remains in Lake Borgne but not exactly sure where they are. Maybe my Navionics upgrade will show them. And my thanks to the both of you for the great reports. Always like reading them while stuck here in Cypress, TX.
-
Being new to inshore marsh fishing, I’m not quite sure what HDS is. I’ve seen that term in several recent posts. Care to educate me on that? Thanks!
-
Ditto to what McLovin said… Could your trim switch be faulty? Did you try using the built-in trim switch on the side of your motor, if it has one? The key switch usually activates a relay somewhere to pass power to the starter motor. If you can locate the relay, try putting a volt meter on the leads or terminal posts and see if you are getting voltage when you turn the key to the start position.
-
What about half moon?
-
100% MLeBlanc! A couple of minor suggestions while agreeing 100%. If possible, get a vhf that has Distress Signal Calling (DSC). DSC can ‘relay’ a distress signal way past the horizon. I once relayed a DSC call from a boat on fire that was ~75 miles off the coast. If you turn on the vhf when you go out, you might be able to relay a call as well. I think you might want to look at a personal locator beacon (PLB). Same communication technology as an epirb but is smaller in size (will fit in your pant pocket) and requires manual activation.
-
Thanks Boyce!
-
Thank you WestbankJosh. I have seen Captain Devin’s lecture on heavy drop shots and the youtube video as well but just making sure. I am familiar with drop shots in offshore fishing but new to the marsh. Where is that rig that you have a picture of in your post? I would be launching at Bayou Caddy. Thanks!
