Quote:
Originally Posted by Destroyer
You're looking for a guarentee, and that's simply not possible to give. Your boat is a great hull design and will take you almost anyplace you wish to go, but how far offshore you can go depends on the weather. Like all small boats, you need to keep an eye on the weather and an ear on the weather channel. Only a (dead) fool would take his boat offshore when there are small boat flags flying.
To answer your question as to how far, the furthest I've gone in a small boat is the sunken texas tower off the coast of NJ (about 75 miles offshore). It was a super calm day that was one of several calm days in a row. The water was flat with seas about 1-3 feet. That's the exception, not the rule. I use it simply to point out that a boat can go almost anywhere provided your engine is good, you have enough time, enough gas, and the weather is calm. 
PS. If you are planning a far offshore trip remember a few important safety items. Check your radio and MAKE SURE it's working properly. Check all your safety equipment. Life jackets, flares, flags, fire extinguishers, etc. Check your bilge pumps. Take a fully charged extra battery for your engine. Extra food and water for you and your passengers. If you have a spare engine (kicker) make sure it's working and you have enough fuel for it. Compass, GPS working properly? Charts? File a float plan with somone onshore telling them where you are planning to go and what time you plan to return. Include in that a time to call for help if not heard from. Is your cell phone fully charged and in a clear waterproof baggie? Use the buddy system, go with at least one other boat. At least one working EPIRB is highly desireable.... and last but not least, a fully stocked first aid kit. Remember, all major accidents are the result of a chain of several small incidents happening one after the other. Break the chain and you prevent the catastrophy. If you are prepared for the worst, then it's easier to break the chain of events. |
Well put, Destroyer!!you covered a lot of important points to consider before going off...one thing he touched on is to go off during a weather/conditions TREND...if it's been blowing for a week and forecast to blow for another week, but there's ONE DAY in there that looks good...DON'T go out on that one day...chances are, you gonna get CAUGHT somewhere you don't wanna be...schedule a trip offshore when you have been watching the forecast for DAYS and see a TREND of calm days in a row...
When you've chosen THE day, consider your fuel supply...the rule of thumb is 1/3 out, 1/3 in and 1/3 RESERVE...if you can actually call on 60 gals of fuel, that becomes 20 out, 20 in and 20 RESERVE....and if you think you're wasting 1/3 of your available fuel w/that rule, you haven't considered all that can go wrong on the high seas...
A kicker motor should have it's own, separate fuel supply in case your main source is contaminated or compromised in some way...
I know several experienced offshore fishermen who WILL NOT turn their motor(s) off at sea...the thought is the possibility of not restarting...Murphy's Law works overtime at sea...
Make your own choices, but the idea is to go, have fun, catch fish...and RETURN SAFELY...nobody here wants to read about you in the newspaper the day after...