scared to try it
 

ok, i've had my boat for about three months now and i think i've worked out all the bugs out of it. i want to try to go out to the rigs but im scared of the what if's. what if my motor breaks down, what if my cell phone wont work. I saw a tow boat out in big lake the other day but did not get there phone no. anyone know it. And will they go out to the rigs. I guess i just have to bite the bullet and give it a shot. What ya think

VHF radio channel 16, don't rely on cell

:amen:

VHF radio is dang near a must down in Venice!

epirb(if you got the bucks) or buddy boat............Gotta have a radio

run it a few times in a lake or close to shore. Buddy boat (if applicable). VHF radio... splurge a little... dont get the $80 P.O.S..... your life is worth more.. I have a humminbird VHF, (~$120) from cabelas... got the big 8' retarded looking antenna also. You never know. Better to be safe than sorry.

ok so i gotta have the radio that is a must. who do you call if your in trouble. will coast guard give you a tow if needed.

If the USCG is in the area, they will get you to the closest dock.
There is a TowboatUS that started up in Lake Charles last year,
Calcasieu Sheriff and USCG will only tow you if you are in danger.
If not, you have to wait for TowboatUS. So far, Cameron Sheriff
will tow you. TowboatUS has asked law enforcement not to take
business from him. Cameron Sheriff boat still tows cause they are
bored. They don't get as much action as Calcasieu. The Cameron
boat told my dad and I that they were told not to tow, but they
will if the boat says it is an emergency.
Membership in TowboatUS is around $130 per year. Worth it if you
break down. If not, it sucks to pay for nothing. I would call a friend
before I call them. I am not opposed to towing anyone if they are
broke down. It's just part of fishing.
I have heard USCG ask for people in the area to help with a stranded
boat instead of sending a USCG boat to the area.

I know USCG will only respond if you are in distress. Is there a difference between calling "xx vessel requesting CG assistance (PAN)" and calling "mayday"

This will give you some insight to what the vhf channels are assigned.


http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtVhf

Ray, do you know how far out they will tow in with that membership. My insurance will cover from 75 miles out from shore.

A vhf is a must. All Icom and Standard Horizon vhfs are submersible to 3' and come with a 3yr warranty. Radio is only part of the system as the antenna is the most important part. Shakespeare has a 4' (5400xt) that you can put on a ratchet mount that will mount on a handrail over the center console and when not in use you can swivel it down to the floor. Its a sturdy antenna which you can grab onto like a handle. Use a solder connector or a Centerpin connector as if the connector is not done right you will be pissing in the wind.

Make sure you have extra supplies when going out far for the just incase.

I use a handheld.......Good enough? Or more power??

VHF is basically line of sight. The lower you are to the water, the less distance VHF has.
But USCG has relay stations on platforms all over the gulf. They can monitor Ch. 16 all over the gulf.
TowboatUS will go get you where ever you are, if the seas permit their boat to get to you. If not, and you are in danger, the USCG will send out a message on Ch. 16 to all boats in the area to render assistance before they will come out to get you.
Hand helds have less power and less distance. I keep one on my big boat as a back up to the regular one.

TowboatUS will still tow you if you don't have a membership.
But you will pay full price. If you have membership, you only
pay a deductible.

Vermilion Parish
 

Got caught at low tide in Vermilion Bay and THEN ran out of gas trying to go all the way around to get to 4 mile pass. Ran outta trollin motor juice after fighting the flowing water about 10 PM. Had to call Vermilion Parish Sheriff, they brought the airboat to get us. Pulled us to a place where we could tie up the boat and then took us to the ramp. Said because of liability they could not pull us to the ramp. Damn skeeters is BAD after dark. Ran outta beer too waiting on them to come from Abbeville!

ok, thanks for the info. need radio and lots of beer. Got it.

not too much beer podnuh... its just like in your truck. my buddy got a bwi in the lake when we went hydrosliding... no bs man its for real. boating while intoxicated

is there a way to hook a handheld up to a antenna? ive noticed when i go far out my handheld dont really pick up a good signal

You really wont gain anything hooking up a handheld to it as a handheld is only 5watts and a base mount is 25