I often take my boat out in Moreton Bay solo and it occurs to me that I should carry a PLB. I log on with the coast guard and wear a life jacket when solo but this would still mean some time before I was discovered missing should I fall overboard.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a PLB?
Scrubby

PLBs like EPIRBs, you only get to know if they are any good when you have to use one.

If you don't want to be in the water for long, do as I do, carry a PLB and an AIS personal locator. This way any boat with AIS will see you as a MOB when you are in range. Being VHF the range is not that great but everything helps when you are floating round in the water. As said previously you didn't know how good a PLB is until you have to use one.
i am currently on my way home from Antarctica where the water temperature was 1deg. If you fall in there there is nothing that would help, but the good thing is you do not need to antifoul your boat as nothing grows at that temperature. I am currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina waiting for my flight home. Antarctica is totally Awesome.

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Bristolfashion said..
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=144&item=74529&intAbsolutePage=1&LinkedItem=74528&search123=Plb

I have this one. Seems pretty good and was in special with a strobe rescue light at the time. Reviews pretty well.

These things are a bargain considering what you get. I've no wish to be bobbing around hoping someone notices I'm missing!

Cheers
Bristol

Tks Bristol
This was the one that I am setting out to buy. Thought I'd ask first as there are a lot of them out there.
Scrubby

Check the battery life. I think the resqlink is 6yrs. I got the KTI one that has 10yr battery life.

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jacktheflyer said..

Bristolfashion said..
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=144&item=74529&intAbsolutePage=1&LinkedItem=74528&search123=Plb

I have this one. Seems pretty good and was in special with a strobe rescue light at the time. Reviews pretty well.

These things are a bargain considering what you get. I've no wish to be bobbing around hoping someone notices I'm missing!

Cheers
Bristol

Tks Bristol
This was the one that I am setting out to buy. Thought I'd ask first as there are a lot of them out there.
Scrubby

If you buy at whitworths don't forget the 10% off on orders over $1000. Get 4 of you together and you are basically there. No discount on the plbs (they are "no further discount" items) but on anything else you buy at the same time. I save up my big ticket items or club together with mates. It's saved me a few dollars.

Cheers

Bristol

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FreeRadical said..
Check the battery life. I think the resqlink is 6yrs. I got the KTI one that has 10yr battery life.

You're right. Resqlink is 6 years. At the time it was the cheapest per year - might well be the kti now. My previous plb was a kti (a bit bigger back then) and it was also excellent - got taken everywhere and never hiccuped on the test.

Cheers

Bristol

I reckon the best plb is the one you have with you. When I did a lot of very remote area hiking and 4wd I carried one. Obviously only for "grave and imminent danger" but you might save your own or someone else's life if there's no mobile coverage. These new tiny ones are fantastic.

When I solo I basically clip on all the time unless I'm in enclosed waters. Better to stay with the boat I say.

Cheers - and safe sailing.

Bristol

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Bristolfashion said..

FreeRadical said..
Check the battery life. I think the resqlink is 6yrs. I got the KTI one that has 10yr battery life.

You're right. Resqlink is 6 years. At the time it was the cheapest per year - might well be the kti now. My previous plb was a kti (a bit bigger back then) and it was also excellent - got taken everywhere and never hiccuped on the test.

Cheers

Bristol

Also KTI is also Australian owned and their products are made here I believe. Resqlink is U.S.

Always prepared to pay a little more to support local companies/industries producing quality products.

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FreeRadical said..

Bristolfashion said..

FreeRadical said..
Check the battery life. I think the resqlink is 6yrs. I got the KTI one that has 10yr battery life.

You're right. Resqlink is 6 years. At the time it was the cheapest per year - might well be the kti now. My previous plb was a kti (a bit bigger back then) and it was also excellent - got taken everywhere and never hiccuped on the test.

Cheers

Bristol

Also KTI is also Australian owned and their products are made here I believe. Resqlink is U.S.

Always prepared to pay a little more to support local companies/industries producing quality products.

Yup, only item (from emory) not made in Oz on the KTI is the strap!!!

I've said it before, but instead of simply going to the big national company, think about the small chandleries, give them a chance to match price.
Alot of times they are the guys putting time and money back into our sport, they have knowledge and they are willing to share it!!

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rumblefish said..

FreeRadical said..

Bristolfashion said..

FreeRadical said..
Check the battery life. I think the resqlink is 6yrs. I got the KTI one that has 10yr battery life.

You're right. Resqlink is 6 years. At the time it was the cheapest per year - might well be the kti now. My previous plb was a kti (a bit bigger back then) and it was also excellent - got taken everywhere and never hiccuped on the test.

Cheers

Bristol

Also KTI is also Australian owned and their products are made here I believe. Resqlink is U.S.

Always prepared to pay a little more to support local companies/industries producing quality products.

Yup, only item (from emory) not made in Oz on the KTI is the strap!!!

I've said it before, but instead of simply going to the big national company, think about the small chandleries, give them a chance to match price.
Alot of times they are the guys putting time and money back into our sport, they have knowledge and they are willing to share it!!

I don't disagree, but I live on my boat and move around. So no car to travel and no Internet shopping. I simply have to use the nearest chandlery. In this part of Pittwater that's Whitworths in Mona Vale, they are local guys and will spend ages discussing the best and cheapest way to do things. My last project that I'd costed at $100 ended up costing me about $15 after their advice.

Whilst they are the "big boys " they're no Coles. I don't think I've spoken to any member of staff who wasn't a boatie.

Blimey, sounds like I'm supporting the big guy against the little guy. I'm not, but I'm ok with whoever is local and good.

And, hey, buying an Aussie made Ronstan from an Aussie shop Whitworths is better than a foreign made item from an overseas website.

Cheers

Bristol

Thanks for the input. I've gone for the KTI. All other thing being equal it has a 10yr battery life and costs $250. Hard to beat.
Scrubby