Fuel consumption and range......

[bigshrimpin]

Add 40 gallons in 6 gallon jugs and you've got the range.

It's a total gamble . . . single engine and no backup plan.

Boat/US isn't coming to get you out there even with unlimited towing.

[RidgeRunner]

I haven't been around much and I do not have extensive offshore experience but 60 miles is a bit far with a single on a 20' anything IMO. BigShrimpin has some sage advice IMO. Backup plan: Ditch bag with GPS/EPIRB, Handheld VHF, second boat preferably one of better seakeeping and capable of handling the extra people if your day goes south due to weather,rouge wave, whatever. Live to fish another day and tell the tale of how the sea handed you your cap that day...
I personally set my boat up and use it as a bay boat. It can handle some fairly rough conditions. I on the other hand cannot.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I took my HYDRASPORTS out 65 miles which was about my limit due to fuel. It held roughly 80 gallons, and with my old EVINRUDE I used right at 60 gallons going that far round trip. The HYDRASPORTS 2000 was designed to go this far out though. It was one tough battle wagon of a boat, and was designed for a limited category of the kingfish fishing circuit limiting you to a boat less than 21 feet in length. With that being said, I am a bit crazy as well, but when I did it I was within VHF range of a friend of mine, so it was a bit safer(except for the fact he was in a 21 foot bay boat). I normally limited myself to 40 miles out in it. Also I would NOT have gone 65 miles out in the Atlantic as she is a rough girl compared to the Gulf Of Mexico. 65 miles out over here and you can be in anywhere from 50-150 feet of water, but being a gulf, the waves tend to not be as violent unless the weatehrs kicked up. Also over here where I am, you don't get out into any real water depth until you cross past about 18 miles. I've been out 10 miles, and saw sand in the bottom of the waves out here in certain spots, and at 18 miles you go from 10-12 feet to a drop off to about 18-20 feet. So 25 miles was just about required to get into any depth close to 30 feet.

[bigshrimpin]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publics...t-today/980720

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/U...318665151.html





**** happens even if you have an ETEC ;). . . just be safe.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by bigshrimpin

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publics...t-today/980720

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/U...318665151.html





**** happens even if you have an ETEC ;). . . just be safe.

Those guys were on a whole new level when that happened. As i recall, we were way beyond small craft advisory when that happened, and they went out anyways. 50 footers wouldn't even consider going out that day. They pulled the ultimate I'm a tough guy, I can do it moves. They figured since they were all big football players they could hang on, they never thought about it capsizing.

[Blue_Runner]

Let's not forget how they capsized - Tied off to back cleat and tried to pull the anchor free - not recommended.

[Blue_Runner]

What is the guesstimate on fuel consumption mpg for V20/21 with 150 yami 4 stroke, generally speaking? Has to be 3+ mpg if not 4+. My 2 banger get 2.5 on average.

[captpete13]

Originally Posted by bigshrimpin

Boat/US isn't coming to get you out there even with unlimited towing.

Yeah we cover the canyons. Been there done that. It's a long ride when you're making 7kts. But you get really good gas milage when your being towed.

[step up here]

That is maybe a 8-10 hour ride at 7knots. Do you take another captain to share the ride and to keep your sanity?

[captpete13]

Back in the day we always went solo. But now my boss has two captains go. One time I went all the way out there based on a relayed message. I knew they were out there and needed a tow and what kind of boat it was but that was it. When I got out to them I said "So where we going? Manasquan,Shark River?" They said Fire Island. So I towed them back to Fire Island.That was a long day and a half.Not all towing companies will cover the canyons. Mostly because they don't have a boat capable. We have an ex CG 41' that we repowered with a pair of John Deers.