The radio call for relaying an urgent, but not life-threatening, message is three rapid-fire repetitions of the phrase “Pan-Pan.” (That makes for too long a web address, so we shortened it to panpanpan.) If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our readers, it’s that they have a lot of important things to say. We wanted to create a space for you to contribute your insights about articles we’ve written. If you have anything to add, dispute or discuss, please share it with us. Email it to editor@boatingmag.com, post it on our Facebook page with the hash-tag #panpanpan
Below are some reader’s contributions:
Shallow Tricks
The advice on rocking the boat to get free of grounding (“Skinny Dipping,” January 2012) is right on. Here’s a tip we used when coming across another boat that grounded: Navigating Shallow Water
In addition to rocking from side to side, put out an anchor in the direction you came from, as far as possible. Then, while rocking, keep a strain on the anchor rode. As the hull clears the sand, the pull on the line will move the boat, maybe inches or even a foot. Once clear, in safe water, inspect for damage and/or water-pump impeller failure.
Capt. Harvey Gilbert
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Electric Avenue
I just wanted to make a comment regarding the comparison between the cost of gasoline and electricity that you guys made on page 16 of the March issue (Making Waves). To really measure the relative cost of the two, you have to compare the cost of equivalent amounts of energy in from each source. A Kilowatt-hour of electricity is certainly cheaper than a gallon of gasoline, but when you calculate how much energy is in a gallon of gasoline, the tables turn. A little research on the internet tells me that a typical gallon of gas has about 36,650 watt-hours of energy. That converts to 36.65 kilo-watt hours of energy per gallon of gas. $3.24 avg. cost of gas / 36.65 kW/h per gallon = $.088 or about 8.8 cents per kW/h compared to 11.7 cents for electricity! Of course, this doesn’t take into account the efficiency of the motor, but just comparing the price of fuel in the unit that it is most commonly sold in doesn’t really tell the full story.
Brian J. Govern
Minneapolis, MN
The article by Ken Englert mentions an antenna adapter available at Radio Shack to use on your hand-held radio in case your main radio fails. I did exactly that. I bought the extension so that my hand-held would reach farther for me & I wouldn’t have to buy another radio for my flybridge. The best thing about that hookup showed itself when my boats electrical system went down. It’s called a dead battery & when you have a single screw & are adrift……………it sure was nice to know when I keyed up my little portable radio, it would reach way back for SeaTow. Everybody should have that extension & carry a handheld.
Love your magazine.
Respectfully,
Dan Lobb
