experience

How low was the water? Were your foils impeded by low tide mud?!

Hi

I was in the harbour at Irvine, Ayrshire.  Indeed it was very shallow and the foils were impeded in the low tide mud.

Another thing was the width of the harbour when the tide was low.  I'm sure my thoughts of it being safe, were misled as it was actually dangerous.

Get an Almanac for your area and look at the tides for when you went out. It should give you the answers (if it was to do with tides). Just because it's low water doesn't mean there's no tide. Tide can flow in any direction whether it's high or low but it is predictable and you can plan it in advance. If you're planning on cruising your boat in future why not do a day skipper theory to learn these things so you can make a simple passage plan before you go and so that you know when you can go! As electronics are quite cheap these days a hand held VHF & GPS  would be a wise investment as so would a flare pack. A GPS may seem to be an overkill when cruising in familar waters but the money spent on it would be invaluable should you need to give your exact position in an emergency. Mobile phones are useless as there aren't any masts at sea! (amazing how many people do not realise this!) Also a DF can be placed on a VHF signal to give a bearing to the person broadcasting.

I always carry a mobile phone when free sailing.

Rick

Originally posted by dics True, mobiles CAN work and in some areas do work. But I think why take something that CAN work when you can take that WILL work. Especially when you talking about saftey, an area where I personally would not comprimise. That's why I think A VHF is better. Other than a bearing being obtained on the signal other users of the water can hear your broadcast and may be able to assist in an emergancy. But mobiles are better than nothing.

Fair but ... I don't own one, don't have a license and they are too bulky ...

As you say a mobile is better than nothing and I know in my sailing area that I will always have a signal.

Rick