What walkie-talkies do you use for anchoring?

[epiic]

I has been using a pair of Motorola T5420's and one of them is dying.

I am looking at the new Motorola T600's and they don't seem to have very good reviews for $99/pair.

What are you guys using?

[Scot McPherson]

No, handhelds take up one of your hands. Its better if the helmsman and the deckhand can come up with standardized hand signals and watchwords to communicate.

[epiic]

Originally Posted by Scot McPherson

No, handhelds take up one of your hands. Its better if the helmsman and the deckhand can come up with standardized hand signals and watchwords to communicate.

I do just fine with one hand.

Also, hand signals are not as useful when its dark out.

[Leo Ticheli]

We bought a pair of "marriage savers" upon the advice of many old salts, but as our experience grew, we found them totally unnecessary.

Practice, hand signals, patience, and mutual respect will make for a happy crew and no problems in anchoring or docking.

Fair winds,

Leo

[Scot McPherson]

Originally Posted by epiic

I do just fine with one hand.

Also, hand signals are not as useful when its dark out.

That's what your Steam Light/Foredeck Light is for.

The helmsman can and should have a flashlight available so they can make handsignals at night.

[epiic]

Ok, I give up. lol

[Leo Ticheli]

Don't give up! You can buy my pair of Eartec Simultalk 24G radios for $150.00.

Fair winds,

Leo

[Mike OReilly]

We have a set of Motorola T5500. We bought them originally to use as “marriage savers.” As most experienced cruisers report, they become redundant as you learn out how to work smoothly as a team. Hand signals work for us.

But we still use the T5500’s when we go to shore, or one of us heads off in the dingy or on a hike. Still like them .

[MarkJ]

No need for radios. I used to just scream out her mistakes.

But now I'm single its much quieter.

[Dockhead]

Agree with others about communicating with the bowman. Have never really felt the need for a radio, even on a 54' (60' LOA) boat.

But a handheld radio can be really useful for communicating with people in the dinghy, or on land. Especially when you're in foreign countries where you don't have a local mobile phone SIM card OR the area is too remote to have mobile phone coverage.

We sometimes discreetly use a marine VHF handheld for this -- when the area is remote enough that we are sure we don't disturb anyone. For the record, you are not allowed to use a marine VHF from on land without a special license.

A 5 watt UHF/VHF amateur radio handy-talky is the killer app for this -- you might even hit up a repeater with it. But both users have to have a license and follow procedure -- and I wouldn't fudge that.

[Dockhead]

Agree with others about communicating with the bowman. Have never really felt the need for a radio, even on a 54' (60' LOA) boat.

But a handheld radio can be really useful for communicating with people in the dinghy, or on land. Especially when you're in foreign countries where you don't have a local mobile phone SIM card OR the area is too remote to have mobile phone coverage.

We sometimes discreetly use a marine VHF handheld for this -- when the area is remote enough that we are sure we don't disturb anyone. For the record, you are not allowed to use a marine VHF from on land without a special license.

A 5 watt UHF/VHF amateur radio handy-talky is the killer app for this -- you might even hit up a repeater with it. But both users have to have a license and follow procedure -- and I wouldn't fudge that.

[wrwakefield]

We have used hand signals for decades, but there are always times when a conversation [or both hands for the task at hand...] is/are necessary.

Half-duplex radios work OK [PTT buttons... or VOX] but we found too many safety issues with years of use for these purposes. [e.g., one hand for the radio; missed dialog; VOX activated by ambient sounds effectively muting the other party; etc.] Therefore, we decided to go with full duplex capability [like telephones- all parties can speak/hear simultaneously.]

We proofed that concept for ourselves using our smart phones with headsets and one of the many freely available bluetooth walkie-talkie apps.

That cemented it for us. We decided not to risk our smart phones in inclement conditions, so we tried two different, robust commercial offerings; one with a belt-clip transceiver with corded headset, one pure headset version. [They cost about the same...]

We by far prefer the SENA SPH10 bluetooth headsets. [Cruising Solutions also sells them and has some great instructional videos. (These are very feature-rich headsets...)]

We still always use hand signals during anchoring [to reinforce them even if using the headsets...] but there are times while anchoring, docking, etc. in inclement conditions when coordinating in civil tones works wonders- especially for situations for which the hand signal doesn't yet exist, or the one used in distress might not be well received...

Likewise when at the top of the mast, or in the engine room- These work well even with the diesel engine running...

They are very quick to put on and turn on, easy to mute, comfortable, waterproof, have many features [bluetooth pairing to smart phone for music, phone calls, etc.] and just plain work. [We have used them on the road when driving separate vehicles, and especially like them when backing our truck/camper and 27ft trailer combo into tight spaces... Hand signals don't apply in that situation...]

As back-up we still have intercom capability with our wireless VHF mike, handheld VHFs, and FRS radios [which we use for away teams.] But for us, nothing beats reliable, telephone-like conversation capability in sporty situations.

In case this is of interest.

Cheers! Bill

[Simi 60]

We use cheap android phones and plug in earbuds with mic and simply make a phonecall to each other when coming into a dock once every 6 weeks.
Hands are free and calls with same provider also free.

We are a two Decker so I can't see or hear what's happening below for docking but we do use signals for anchoring.

[rwidman]

What walkie-talkies do you use for anchoring?

I don't use walkie-talkies for anchoring because they are too light and they don't have a place to attach the chain.

Seriously, my boat is small enough that we don't need electronic communications. Yelling and hand signals simplify things. Nothing to recharge or drop overboard and no buttons to push.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Scot McPherson

No, handhelds take up one of your hands. Its better if the helmsman and the deckhand can come up with standardized hand signals and watchwords to communicate.

Not if they have an earpiece and voice activated mike.