First Salt, trailers, and other questions.

I really want to get in the salt this summer.  I have a Tandem Island I am going to be using, and from the looks of it, launching from Depoe would be easiest since it is trailered.  PC also an option, but I am nervous about pulling the trailer onto the sand.   

- Does anyone else pull a trailer out to PC? Assuming I don't do anything super stupid, any opinions on how a 2011 outback would do trying to get out there pulling a small boat trailer that's lightly loaded?

- I was searching for info on here which radios people like, but didn't turn up much.  Seems like the Standard Horizon and Icom models are well regarded, but any other stronger recommendations? I would like to keep it less than 150.

- Does anyone carry an EPIRB or other type of emergency beacon?

- For those with Islands, do you tend to go full loadout? Leave sail behind? Only 1 ama?

- Seems like most people just use a big game clip to keep fish.  Any reason for this over a soft side cooler?

- For those with Hobies, do you bring a backup drive or do you just have your paddle handy?

- Looking out to next week, Monday and Tuesday look flat as far as swells go, anyone looking to go out then? I need to check my work schedule to see if I can make it work, but no way I am venturing out bymyself and if someone is going it would be nice to meet up (or share the tandem).

Thanks!

- Does anyone else pull a trailer out to PC? Assuming I don't do anything super stupid, any opinions on how a 2011 outback would do trying to get out there pulling a small boat trailer that's lightly loaded?

- I was searching for info on here which radios people like, but didn't turn up much.  Seems like the Standard Horizon and Icom models are well regarded, but any other stronger recommendations? I would like to keep it less than 150.

- Does anyone carry an EPIRB or other type of emergency beacon?

- For those with Islands, do you tend to go full loadout? Leave sail behind? Only 1 ama?

- Seems like most people just use a big game clip to keep fish.  Any reason for this over a soft side cooler?

- For those with Hobies, do you bring a backup drive or do you just have your paddle handy?

 *All dories are trailered at PC. A kayak trailer isn't any different. Keep to the firm sand, and be aware that a deep hole sometimes develops at the end of the ramp on heavy traffic days. You may need to shovel some sand to fill in the hole so you don't bottom out your Outback when getting off the beach. (It's not a problem early in the morning.)

*Buy a name brand radio - they all work well. After carrying one for several years, I recommend buying a non-floater because they are slimmer and it should be tethered to your PFD whether or not it floats. (I have a Standard Horizon, but I like my son's smaller Icom.)

*I'm sure a few people use EPIRBs. Most buy a radio equipped with MMSI which can transmit an emergency warning with lat/long to the USCG and all other radios in the area also equipped with MMSI.

*I've never seen a Islander at PC. The one I saw at Depoe Bay was fully rigged and sailed. My recommendation is that you try PC once unrigged and judge for yourself. Days with wind usually mean that there will be surf to contend with.

*Soft side coolers and catch bags are popular, too. Guys using game clips are usually using the ocean to keep their catch cool, or are keeping them in their hull. Ice and a cooler probably do a better job of keeping your catch fresh. I use a game clip and a burlap sack for convection cooling.

*I have extra drives, but I usually don't bring one, and if I do, I leave it in the truck. You want a paddle in your hands at PC if there is surf. Pull your drive and secure it. Mirage drives always tempt you to try to beat the waves, but it rarely works out well. Paddle (or sail) in. DAMHIK. Always bring a paddle as your backup - it can do things a drive cannot.

1.  Lots of folks pull trailers out on the beach at PC, and generally they do well but yesterday there were people getting stuck all along the beach (including us).  It was high tide and you couldn't really get down to the hard pack and had to travel in the soft sand.  If you have to travel in the soft sand, once you get moving DONT stop.  Keep going till you get where you're going.

2.  All my radios are Standard Horizon.  They work well.  They have some that are relatively inexpensive too (although I wouldn't skimp on safety).  I was thinking of giving icom a shot when it comes time for a new one though.

3.  I personally don't carry a personal locator but the more things you have on you to put things in your favor when the SHTF the better.  The ocean is no place to skimp on safety.  I do carry a compass plus my phone plus my fish finder has a map plus my radio has a man over board function.  I also have a loud whistle with me.

4.  Sorry I can't help with this one as I don't have an island.

5.  I use both.  I put my fish on the game clip which is clipped to my boat  then cut the gills and then put them into my kill bag on ice packs after bleeding them.

6.  I just bring a paddle with me out on the water although I would not want to paddle my outback too far.  I do keep a spare parts container and tools in my front hatch for any on the water maintenance I may need to perform on my drive.

Good luck getting out into the salt this year.  Make sure you have all the required safety equipment and don't go alone.

Thanks for the responses!  Driving the sand makes me nervous, mostly since I have never done it before, even without a trailer.  Probably will try Depoe first few times just to make things a bit simpler. 

I think I have all my safety gear except radio and compass.  I figure with the sail I dont need a safety flag, but maybe should get one in case I dont take the sail.

Being cautious about driving in sand is your best defense against getting stuck. Your Outback is a better vehicle than a lot - lighter weight and not over-powered along with AWD. Buy a 12V compressor (so you can air down your tires). Pack a shovel and an old piece of carpet or floor mats in case you do start digging in. At worst, there will be people there that seem to delight in helping people get unstuck and will help you out. Get a tow strap, too.

Personally, I would be more concerned with sailing your TI on the ocean for the first time than getting stuck in the sand, but that's because I have precious little sailing experience, whereas I've driven in the sand enough to know where it's reasonable for me to do so.

Yeah the thing with sailing on the ocean is that low wind forecast equals better fishing and high windforcast equals rougher seas.  My goal for getting out isn't as much sailing biased as it is fishing.  If I can sail a bit so be it.  I am looking to get a Hobie Compass too so probably wont take the TI out in the ocean after I get that. 

Trailer tire size matters as well, my little narrow “snowbear” knockoff tires just sink right in, swamped my 08 outback in the soft stuff last time I took it out, and swamped T Costal’s Toyota 4X4 yesterday, once the trailer was off he drive right out.
 The next trailer I build for myself will have wide truck tire. I can air down for traction and we’re going to swap out the car tires for all terrain truck tires, thicker tires drive better aired down in my opinion.

Yeah I have skinny 4.5" wide by 12 inch wheel diameter tires.  Not much weight on it at least though. 

<<Shin09>>
I really want to get in the salt this summer.  I have a Tandem Island I am going to be using, and from the looks of it, launching from Depoe would be easiest since it is trailered.  PC also an option, but I am nervous about pulling the trailer onto the sand.   

Take one learning experience at a time here. Kayaking/sailing in the ocean, and driving in the sand are two things that can be fun, or disastrous by themselves let alone combined on the same day. 

- Does anyone else pull a trailer out to PC? Assuming I don't do anything super stupid, any opinions on how a 2011 outback would do trying to get out there pulling a small boat trailer that's lightly loaded?

I haven't towed a trailer on the sand at PC, but I have years of experience pulling both small utility trailers, as well as a 16' cargo trailer loaded with ATV's out into the sand at the dunes with various 4x4 trucks. With that, I have seen many folks get it right, and more get it wrong.  Each vehicle and its trailer/load will make or break how the results pan out. 

A small AWD car with low profile tires, towing a small utility trailer with pizza cutter tires and a fairly light load is very doable.  Not the best, not the worst.  What I can suggest for success, are speed and momentum.  Airing down a low profile tire is going to give you next to no change in the tire profile, as there isn't any extra sidewall relaxed to give a "float" in the tire.  You have a better chance of losing a tire bead at this point.  If you don't have low profile tires, you can drop some pressure to allow for some sidewall flex.  More importantly, do not lollygag in the soft stuff once you hit it.  If you stop in soft sand, your odds of moving forward is much less than moving straight down.  Once you make it from pavement to hardpack sand, do not just pull up into the soft sand and park for the day.  Go as far as you can on the hard pack sand near the parking area and get out and survey the sand where folks are parking.  If you can, back your trailer into the soft sand, while keeping your vehicle on the hard sand.  If needing to park completely off the hard pack, try not to go too far.  As suggested by someone else, have some carpet or floormats available to give your tires something to launch onto upon leaving (if the sand shows that you will bury otherwise.

- I was searching for info on here which radios people like, but didn't turn up much.  Seems like the Standard Horizon and Icom models are well regarded, but any other stronger recommendations? I would like to keep it less than 150.

Don't skimp here.  This is your life link to civilization (other than a cell phone).   I have had a $79 Uniden, and a couple of $200 Standard Horizons.  My next will most likely be a non-floating Icom with better battery life, and more compact over floatation. I tether that sucker to my PFD, so floatation isn't as important as battery life.  My Standard Horizon units have crappy battery life (like 6 hours or less per battery, so I carry three spares).

- Does anyone carry an EPIRB or other type of emergency beacon?
Nope. No reason, just nope.

- For those with Islands, do you tend to go full loadout? Leave sail behind? Only 1 ama?

Never sailed my AI yet in the ocean yet, only lakes, river and Tilly bay.  However, I plan to NEVER launch a fully rigged AI into a surf zone, as it can go from lucky to scrap really quick upon rebeaching.  I would really love to launch it from Depoe Bay and play around out there with it.  Just hasn't happened yet. If I plan to sail and fish, I will use both AMA's and just one trampoline.  If I plan to just sail, and maybe crab I might use both trampolines.  I can deploy/retract my trampolines while on the water as needed.

- Seems like most people just use a big game clip to keep fish.  Any reason for this over a soft side cooler?

I started with a game clip/burlap bag combo early on and still carry two now, a big one I made, and a really small one for a single fish.  However, I always take a large soft cooler in the tank well for my catch which is packing a 7-10# bag of ice in a dry bag inside under the fish.  I keep a can of soda in the dry bag with the ice for when I get off the water and need a cold sugar recovery.  The game clip/burlap bag is a very good on the water option but does nothing for you once you are back on land unless you can plop your catch into a prepared cooler.  In my mind fish need to be drained of blood right away, and put on ice immediately and continuously until slapped onto a filet table and processed.  Each person has their own take on this, so your mileage may vary.

- For those with Hobies, do you bring a backup drive or do you just have your paddle handy?

I may or may not bring a spare drive with me, but it stays in the truck/trailer if needed on multiday trips.  I ALWAYS side mount a good quality paddle, as I will never rely on the Mirage drive to get me back to shore no matter how well I maintain it.  It's a mechanical device, has many moving parts, and subject to failure at any time for any reason.  With that, I do carry spare 1/4-20 Nylock nuts, a 3mm Hex wrench, and 11mm wrench on board with me just in case my drive, son's drive, or anyone else's drive is having issues on the water and needs a tweak.


- Looking out to next week, Monday and Tuesday look flat as far as swells go, anyone looking to go out then? I need to check my work schedule to see if I can make it work, but no way I am venturing out by myself and if someone is going it would be nice to meet up (or share the tandem).

If this is your first trip in the salt, be sure to file a float plan (<--Google that) with someone that likes you and you trust.  Stick with your float plan regardless of who you end up meeting up with and fish with that day.  I'd love to get out there with you and see how the sail works on the ocean, but have work and other obligations.  Hopefully someday this summer we could get a floatilla together with sails and have a blast out there.

As for predicting Go-NoGo conditions, it's fine to plan for the best as far out as you can, but don't get too solid until about 3 days out.  Even 3 days out isn't 100%, as shit changes in a matter of hours, so look at the ocean the day of, and decide for sure at that point.  There is no sissy in calling a NoGo after planning a trip for over a week, getting up at O'Dark:30 and driving 2 hours to the beach only to bail due to failing conditions.  If you are going out with another person anyone can be a cowboy and still go out in less than ideal conditions, but that is their choice and theirs only - never feel pressured if your gut says otherwise, it's your life to decide.

Thanks!

I think I have all my safety gear except radio and compass.

Don’t skimp on the compass if you are fishing in the ocean. I carry 4.  One deck mounted Ritchie, one orienteering compass in my dry bag, one orienteering compass in my pfd, and the native compass on my iPhone. I guess my lowrance hook 7 has one too.  That’s 5.

Just make sure you can find your way if electronics fail and you find yourself in the soup. I’ve been there, and it’s not fun.

I think I have all my safety gear except radio and compass.

Don’t skimp on the compass if you are fishing in the ocean. I carry 4.  One deck mounted Ritchie, one orienteering compass in my dry bag, one orienteering compass in my pfd, and the native compass on my iPhone. I guess my lowrance hook 7 has one too.  That’s 5.

Just make sure you can find your way if electronics fail and you find yourself in the soup. I’ve been there, and it’s not fun.

I forgot to mention above that I too have a non-electronic deck compass onboard as well.  The thing with a compass is that you have to trust what it is telling you.  Don't wait until the fog rolls in on you to finally look at it and second guess what it is telling you.  Use it on the best of days, and look at it frequently to get absolutely comfortable with what it says, and what you see for real.  Fog is a bitch and will disorient you like mad.  Sounds come from every direction, bounce off the fog and really mess with your sense of direction.  The compass WILL tell you which way you are aimed and this can save your butt.  You don't want to be at odds with what it is telling you. 

Yeah the fog is no joke.  I got stuck in the soup at Hagg once and even there it was super disorienting.

Insayn,  I really appreciate the detailed response.  PC has the advantage of not having to shoot the hole, but then you have to contend with surf launching.  At Depoe have to deal with more commercial traffic, learning to use a radio, etc. but no surf launch.  That is why I am hoping to be able to tag along when a couple people are going out.  Glad to give anyone a seat on the tandem, but totally understand if someone doesn't want to share a boat with an ocean newby.

Are you typically launching at day break (530-600)?  Get back before winds pick up, etc

Trailer tire size matters as well, my little narrow “snowbear” knockoff tires just sink right in, swamped my 08 outback in the soft stuff last time I took it out, and swamped T Costal’s Toyota 4X4 yesterday, once the trailer was off he drive right out.
 The next trailer I build for myself will have wide truck tire. I can air down for traction and we’re going to swap out the car tires for all terrain truck tires, thicker tires drive better aired down in my opinion.

I put snowmobile trailer tires on my old Harbor Freight trailer years ago to tow two ATVs onto the sand with my 97 Tacoma.  They worked ho-hum, but not nearly as well as full sized trailer tires on 15" wheels do when aired down.  MoJo, unless you are planning to tow your new trailer overland in rugged terrain, I would suggest sticking with lighter full-sized trailer tires on 15" wheels. Floatation is floatation on the sand, but AT tires have much heavier construction that can actually work against your goal of towing in the sand with a light car due to the extra drag caused by the actual tire weight.   What makes trailer tires better than car/truck tires for trailers is how they are constructed.  They are built with insane sidewall flex in mind, not for directional force from a drive axle.  Ever notice how much the tires flex at the side wall without damage on a dual axle trailer in a tight backup swing?  Car/truck tires will breakdown quickly doing that.  Trailer tires are much lighter and cheaper as well. 

Yeah the fog is no joke.  I got stuck in the soup at Hagg once and even there it was super disorienting.

Insayn,  I really appreciate the detailed response.  PC has the advantage of not having to shoot the hole, but then you have to contend with surf launching.  At Depoe have to deal with more commercial traffic, learning to use a radio, etc. but no surf launch.  That is why I am hoping to be able to tag along when a couple people are going out.  Glad to give anyone a seat on the tandem, but totally understand if someone doesn't want to share a boat with an ocean newby.

Are you typically launching at day break (530-600)?  Get back before winds pick up, etc

Depoe Bay I usually launch right around first light, time depends on month of the year.  Same with PC.
As for getting back to shore.  Depoe Bay, we try to start to move closer to the opening between the North or South reef before the wind picks up, but more often than not, we get carried away with fishing and the wind sneaks up on us so we have to slog our way through the confused sheep unnecessarily.   

PC is pretty easy to dictate when to head in.  The wind will pick up in early afternoon for sure but can move in before noon just as quickly.  The bottom fishing grounds at PC are plentiful enough within a 1/8th mile in any direction from the rock (shy of east) that you really don't have to travel too far to get back to shore if the wind gets nasty.

For what it's worth, it's spring tides all next week.