Err, I'll give it a miss...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0FVC4_AluE

Ohh wow /o\

I think the Klymit would be okay for short gentle crossings in good weather but I'd not like to take it down anything moving or with a bike attached.

If you are heading anywhere in the sea it's really worth getting a vhf radio. We have a pair of these and have actually learnt how to use them and program them. Yes, you need a license to TX on them but not to RX. It's very handy to hear if any shipping is bearing down upon you and I'd be happy to TX without a license if either us or somebody we saw needed rescue.

Also if you don't have one, get a life jacket or BA. We have some tiny travel ones that pack up to a tennis ball size.

As for tides and current, normally it take a bit of effort to keep at 5-6km/h, but we hit 15km/h the other day when travelling down with the tide on the Arun.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1823382430

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

dlovett wrote:If you are heading anywhere in the sea it's really worth getting a vhf radio. We have a pair of these and have actually learnt how to use them and program them. Yes, you need a license to TX on them but not to RX. It's very handy to hear if any shipping is bearing down upon you and I'd be happy to TX without a license if either us or somebody we saw needed rescue.

Also if you don't have one, get a life jacket or BA. We have some tiny travel ones that pack up to a tennis ball size.

As for tides and current, normally it take a bit of effort to keep at 5-6km/h, but we hit 15km/h the other day when travelling down with the tide on the Arun.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1823382430

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Get your licence. It makes a world of difference knowing how to use the radio properly and only takes a day to do the course. I am pretty sure an unlicensed marine radio is illegal.

No it's only illegal to TX not rx.

Dave Barter wrote:

dlovett wrote:If you are heading anywhere in the sea it's really worth getting a vhf radio. We have a pair of these and have actually learnt how to use them and program them. Yes, you need a license to TX on them but not to RX. It's very handy to hear if any shipping is bearing down upon you and I'd be happy to TX without a license if either us or somebody we saw needed rescue.

Also if you don't have one, get a life jacket or BA. We have some tiny travel ones that pack up to a tennis ball size.

As for tides and current, normally it take a bit of effort to keep at 5-6km/h, but we hit 15km/h the other day when travelling down with the tide on the Arun.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1823382430

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Get your licence. It makes a world of difference knowing how to use the radio properly and only takes a day to do the course. I am pretty sure an unlicensed marine radio is illegal.

Of course, a SPOT tracker/Garmin inReach is also handy.

dlovett wrote:No it's only illegal to TX not rx.

I'm fairly certain you are wrong. Unless you are talking about a walkie talkie less than 5W in power which is next to useless

The law is meant to stop unlicensed TX equipment being used and hence the need for it to be licensed. To get it licensed you need a MMSI which in turn means you have to pass your exam and get a personal license. So the act of turning it on is effectively against the law. May have changed since I got my license but doubt it as the whole point is to stop any old idiot getting a radio and causing mayhem.

I stand by how useful the training is. We were making Mayday calls under pressure which is about the only time you'll ever need to make one. It's not as easy as you think but getting it right saves lives. Also I can enable DSC on my hand held which is a one switch distress call carrying my ID and position. Similar to SPOTs

Not accordion the ofcom, the coast guard and the national maritime office, marine VHF radios only need to be registered if TX. There is no law or rulings regarding RX of marine VHF. Our local coastguard officials advise that water uses have one for monitoring the traffic. You can use walkie talkies which are over 0.5w with a commercial licence which costs £75 for 5 years.

Ofcom say "use"I suspect you'd be on dodgy ground as looking at their regs they clearly state ships portable radio must be licensed and only used at sea. Base stations are a different kettle of fish.

If you are sailing from West Loch Tarbert you could either on the way out or back have a look at a couple of locations near Lochgilphead
Loch Sween, the top end of the loch is very sheltered, very pretty and with good sea life etc.
The River Add from Bridgend down to Loch Crinan is an easy Grade 1. Can be a bit shallow in places uness there is a wee bit of flow.
Loch Craignish is also relatively sheltered with beautiful islands.
NE end of Loch Awe has nice paddling with some islands and ruins to visit.
(Sometime sea kayaker who used to live in Kilmartin Glen)

For once a serious question offa myself do you need a bcu license to paddle south of the boarder , I know it's not a kayak or canoe but it is paddling,or can you get away with it as it's a inflatable ,been a long time since I was a member of a kayak club and not sure of the laws,I know some of the access laws are more archaic than the cycling ones

middleagedmadness wrote:For once a serious question offa myself do you need a bcu license to paddle south of the boarder , I know it's not a kayak or canoe but it is paddling,or can you get away with it as it's a inflatable ,been a long time since I was a member of a kayak club and not sure of the laws,I know some of the access laws are more archaic than the cycling ones

You need a british waterways licence to paddle in canals, I think BCU license gives you this automatically