Fog, fleets, and safety (Open discussion)

First gps my wife bought to make me safe, first time out w it, no compass, 4 miles straight out from Stinson, fog rolled between me and shore, no problem, fired up $600 worth of brand name electronics which gave logo, blinkered and died

As is common there mixed swell moving all directions including offshore so not a fun day

That was my first and last time being on the water sans compass

Similar experience, as fog rolled in I pulled out my compass and got a line on where my landing is, started paddling and soon realized the compass couldn't decide which way is north. Again mixed swell and nothing to go on, not a fun time. I kept that compass as a reminder

Second gps device lasted one or two trips and did the same as first, starting to think I have some kind of built in electromagnetic disturbance

Anyway might seem ridiculous but I carry minimum 3 compasses when I go offshore

When it comes to vital safety equipment, redundancy is not ridiculous.

Redundancy is key. My FF includes a chart plotter (1). I also have a handheld/"waterproof" Garmin GPS that stays in my dry bag along with spare batteries (2). I also have my iPhone with Navionics in a waterproof case in the pocket of my PFD (3). I also carry a Suunto backpacking compass in the dry bag (4).

I (personally) won't leave shore without at least one means to determine my lat/lon in case of an emergency. In the fog, your radio is nearly worthless as a rescue tool unless you know your coordinates.

I also carry a del Lorme inreach for emergency (a spot would work as well), but i ww kayak and ride dual sport in some remote places. I still think it's a great investment for ncka type use as well.

Fog is less of a concern in terms of power boaters than a large swell where a kayak disappears from view in the trough. I want a GPS with a backup unit so I can be sure to find my way back to the launch point in the fog and not end up in the surf line.

But I also know that no fish is worth risking my life and there will be plenty of days without fog. Along the coast in the summer it is going to roll in very quickly in the afternoon in some areas like Big Sur and I am off the water by noon.

A big part of being safe is knowing when not to be out on the water.