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If you do not want to buy a big epirb, you can do 3 things.

West Marine rents them for about $60. a week. If you think you need it some times, but not others, this may work.

There is also a Pepirb. P stands for personnel. They are smaller, (pocket size) and cheaper. The battery is good for 24 versus 48 hours, but still work off the satellites.
You go overboard, you have it on you.

Use a float plan, notify someone on shore in writing, where you are going, when you are coming back, desciption of boat etc. If you get into trouble, rescue people will at least have a starting point.