Personal Epirbs
 

Like the trend in most other electronics the performance, size and cost are being improved all the time. While shopping for a new boat epirb I came across this new pocket size personal eprib. I have have one of the older larger personal epribs and toss it in my bag when I go on someone else's boat (just in case). It makes me feel a little more safe. IMO most people don't do this because the cost was pretty high. But now with the new cell phone sized unit with the street price under $300 there is no excuse not to have one. This is a review of the unit that a friend sent me I thought I would pass it along. IMO this is perfect for rec fishermen...the CC guy who does not want to break the bank for a few offshore trips. This makes a lot of sense to carry around.

McMurdo Fast Find PLB - Initial Evaluation - EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm)

I have an ACR one that is the size of a paper back novel. Whenever I am on the water it is with me. Cheap insurance policy.

I Also have the ACR and it is attached to my self inflating life jacket, which I wear on the boat and take with me why I fly. Great piece of mind, I hope I never have to use it.

Thats the one I also spec'd out for this season. No need for those big bulky ones anymore, especially on a smaller boat. Only thing is it is not automatically activated, and it does NOT float. So a small float bag would be in order.

279 here and a float pouch for 20 bucks.

McMurdo FastFind GPS PLB

I don't know if I want a hand-held unit that is water activated in a small boat. I prefer manual operation for the personal units and Cat 1 units mounted on the boat. There is still a place for the large units. This little one is nice to toss in the ditch bag. At this price it is a no-brainer.

The boat should ALWAYS have a full sized EPIRB.

PLB's are more of a corpse recovery device....