Jon, I hear ya (about "like single-handing"). But the Admiral is good crew and knows the ropes on our boat... she's capable; it's just not her department

As for PLB, I've been eying those (and they've come down in price so much it could become an impulse-buy) but I still haven't pulled the trigger. I bought a floating hand-held VHF with built-in GPS/DSC a few years ago. My thought is that even if I had a PLB I wouldn't set it off unless I couldn't raise close-by help on the VHF. Being coastal I think the VHF is a much more likely way to enlist rapid assistance, rather than by going through the bureaucracy of the SARSAT network (which might take several hours before local authorities are even notified of a distress call). Plus, with a VHF you can talk to rescuers who are trying to locate you, describe your situation and help guide them, etc.

If I were going offshore I'd want both, but for now one bulky object on my belt will do.