Thanks. At some point (way down the line) I may have the stones to go to the stream if its within 25 miles or so. Would you recommend I bump up kicker then?

Heck for the cost of a used 150 or 175 you can almost buy a new 10hp. If you might be encountering strong currents or wind maybe a 15 or 20hp is more in order. But twin 75's does sound like it would make a unique V20. But remember thats double the cost in outboard repairs etc. One reason i got rid of the 250 Sportsman.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by going to the stream. :head: (Do you mean the Gulf Stream?) But just as a FYI, if it helps, I have a Honda 9.9 on my boat as a kicker that I use for trolling. I figure that in all but the direst emergency, she could get me home. Slowly, for sure, but it beats the crap out of paddleing. As long as you have gas, your kicker should be able to get you home easily enough....even from 25 miles out. (And that reminds me. one of the capital rules in boating...watch your gas consumption. I try and use the 1/4 rule. 1/4 out, 1/4 fishing, 1/4 back, 1/4 emergency use.)

(And don't forget that there are companies like BoatUS and Seatow that will come and bring you gas or tow you home if you have subscribed their service...and it's cheap insurance considering what the cost could be.)

Good points.

Yes, Gulfstream. That's how far we went out for mahi and wahoo an a couple of occasions. Tuna too, I think on another trip.

Looked into Boatus when I started thinking about getting a big water boat last year. I think that's who I'll be going with. I just heard of Seatow recently. I'm going to check them out before I commit though. Thanks.

Yup, familiar with fuel rules. Use it with my freshwater boat. Gonna need some type of fuel flow indicator or something to back up the gauge. Just in case. Thanks again.

Ihave never had a working fuel gauge in any of my boats, lucky i guess? The V20 had 2 side tanks 20 gal each, and after i converted it i added a 35 gal were the i/o use to be.
I never really had to use more then 35, after a while i never filled the saddle bags any more.
Th sea ox has a 110 gal tank, and i have been out 35miles moved all around, and home, used just 35 gal, leaving 75 gal extra, i just make sure i never go out with less then a full tank, nomatter what, then i have no worries

Speak with Allan Owens with BOAT U.S here in va beach. he is a good friend of my family and have known him for years. The albemarle has insurance with them and they are awesome to deal with.

Here's my thoughts - just invest in the towing service (Tow Boat or Sea Tow) and don't buy the kicker. Invest in plenty of anchor line and 15 - 20' of anchor chain. Also invest in a good VHF and even better ANTENNA, because no matter how good the VHF without a good antenna it is no good. Also a hand-held VHF for backup safety. For less than the cost of a kicker you can get the nice anchor line/chain, VHF/handheld VHF, and probably have enough to buy and EPIRB (Emergency locator beacon). If something happens, you lose power, anchor up so your nose is into the seas (keeps from swamping the boat). Hail Seatow/Boat US on VHF and wait for them to get you. By anchoring, you can give them a more presice location = easier to find you. All of the above and if possible head out with another boat (buddy boat).

I've always had Sea Tow. In addition I have a 9.9 kicker that I used to take on saltwater trips. Now I just use it in the lake (when it is running LOL). When you have a kicker for emergency purposes only, you tend to not run them very often. All of the spray from the saltwater will eventually eat away at your kicker, which you rarely run. Then you will realize it is just hanging on the transom adding weight and getting in the way of fishing. Oh and you have to flush it after every trip whether you run it or not.

At least that is what happened to my thinking about kickers for emergency purposes. :beer:

Also, agreed that 9 miles is nothing. Most I've done was 120 miles total on the water in one day. Burned ~ 50-ish gallons. Fishing Hatteras over Memorial day weekend and we will be fishing 25 - 35 miles off every day for 4 days. Expecting to burn around 35 gallons each day, 3 guys.

Good luck w/ the boat!

I'll give them a call.

That makes a lot of sense. Gonna do some shopping and comparing. Thanks.