What's the smallest boat you've taken to the GS? - Page 2 - The Hull Truth

offshore3144 · 12-16-2005, 09:08 AM

Thats a great question. What is safe? Are you safer 1 mile off the beach without the proper equipment , are you safer in the inland coastal waterway with all the newbee boaters going every direction except the right direction, or are you safer offshore with more seasoned boaters. Personally I feel safer where the seasoned boaters are. It seems that alot of the boats that go offshore are the same ones I hear on the radio consistantly. I know if I heard someone in distress offshore I would reel them in and head that way. I would hope that any boater would do this. Are you safer anywhere in the water? Water is water if you are prepared you should be just as safe at 40 miles as you are 2 miles. If you are not prepared it dosent matter where you are at.
There have been many times we have been offshore all day and it was calm as could be but when we were coming in it was sloppy as it could get within site of the inlet. I have always said that the most dangerous part of any trip is the inlet, alot of traffic, ever changing conditions, and this is where most boaters question their skills. Mark

schoolsout · 12-16-2005, 11:06 AM

use to go 50+ miles out in a 19 outrage. 90 gallons of fuel and we would return with about 15. Did this for about 2 years avg about 10 trips/year. Never worried and hardly ever had a buddy boat. That was when I was 16-18 years old and with my friends. Pops would drop us off and we were on our way.

broncobirdy · 12-16-2005, 01:05 PM

I went out 2 years ago in a friends 21'. Four guys in out of Hatteras, 17 miles. Baits in for 10 minutes then came back in 5-6' swells with driving rain,wind, and lightning. Last time I ever take a friends word on the checking the weather forecast. The 4 hours of sleep I had the night before didn't help either. I'll take mine out with a buddy boat. 2 radios, flare gun, and definetly nice weather. The buddy boat has to be someone I know and trust, ie experience!

hawaiianpunch · 12-16-2005, 03:05 PM

been to BR in my 25 a few times was very surprised at how much it looks like a parking lot on some days. I only go when the weather is right. This year I put a satellite phone on the boat just in case I need to reach out and touch someone.

busbees · 12-22-2005, 12:14 PM

Been out 25-50 miles in 21 ft Seapro several times. Agree with everyone else- watch the weather. Scariest part by far is navigating the inlets at Hattaras and Oregon Inlet.

Fish5Work2 · 12-27-2005, 07:53 PM

My son Zac and I consistently fished a 193 mako at the stream, proably 20 times a summer for about 7years. Caught a bunch of fish. Always had 2 radios, 2 gps, checked the weather in every way we could. Never had a problem, but we picked our days and kept the boat in tip top shape. Have moved up to a 29 now, and it certainly is a nicer ride, but we havent caught any more fish...

seapro21 · 12-27-2005, 09:32 PM

A couple of times a year in a 21 foot Seapro with a 200 HPDI. Good equipment, Good judgement and Great weather. 120 miles round trip including trolling burning 40 gallons.

NCDave · 12-31-2005, 05:59 PM

50 miles out in a 20.6 ft cc from Masonboro inlet, regulary (single motor Mercury)
85 gallon tank. Took forever and a day to get to the fish and back in
Had more than required safety gear, never ran with any other boats, always watched the weather

Now we have the new boat, we fish the opposite side of the stream in the 25 ft cc 70 miles out regulary (single engine Yamaha) 150 gallon tank, can haul butt on good weather days (3's rollin')
Maintain more than required safety gear, dont run with any other boats, and always watch the weather

Really gotta watch the throttle on them good weather days as well,,, easy to want to rip her at WOT all the way out and back... eat's up too much fuel, almost got caught with our pants down as we hit the inlet one time with only 30 gallons of fuel left in the tank, not much if ya ask me if the weather of kicked up.

Anytime you round the corner headin out the inlet you take a chance, just be as prepared as possible, stock the boat with everything you should need, have ALL batteries charged (ie. handheld radio, gps, boat system batt's, etc...) and NEVER leave the dock if anything isnt performing 100%, fix/replace it and test it at least twice before headin out. Other than that... enjoy the wonderfull world of offshore fishin!

NCDave · 12-31-2005, 06:01 PM

Double tap'd my reply (disregard this one)

the snafu · 01-01-2006, 04:46 PM

use to fish the big rock out of morehead and the point and to the NE out of oregon inlet on a regular basis on 21 dixie/w 200 merc

Tugted · 01-01-2006, 05:43 PM

72 miles out in a 21 Contender and go to the stream a good bit. I've taken a 13 whaler 12 miles out, no biggie. It's just judgement and experience, and i have plenty of the later.

go fish · 01-02-2006, 09:22 AM

Back in 82, I had a 19' Seacraft w/ a Johnson 235. Boat held 47 gals. Went to the Big Rock and back. In the inlet, I had to change over to by 6 gal portable tank.

clear for action · 01-04-2006, 06:06 PM

24' Carolina Skiff with a jet drive out of Oregon Inlet. We went 35 miles till the temp jumped and the water turned that awesome blue.

SZZZL · 01-06-2006, 04:59 PM

52 miles out in a 21' Grady Center Console out of Oregon Inlet and Destin

Ken T · 01-08-2006, 05:39 PM

I fished the Hatteras Canyon in a 20' Scout CC. In June05 I passed a Bass Boat near the Rockpile on the way out...I fish mostly out of Morehead and have set my limit to about 30-35 miles.

Ken T

alvispollard · 01-25-2006, 03:30 PM

30 miles out of Beaufort Inlet in a 17' Boston Whaler Montauk. Two of everything: 100 hp & 8 hp kicker, batteries, radios, gps. Everything in tip top shape: fire extinguisher, flares, etc.
24 gal. tank with 1/3 to spare. Trolled with 8 hp 4 stroke kicker. Gas saver and peace of mind should primary fail. Quality Mills Bimini top with full enclosure. Picked good weather days and kept eyes on horizen. Always with a couple of old Navy fellows who knew the sky conditions. If something is spotted, picked up immediately and haul buggy!

swampdogg · 01-25-2006, 05:23 PM

I used to live in Stuart Florida and I ran a 24 Topaz single diesel to Walkers Cay about 20 times (105 NM) and all over the Abacos from there. Once we ran from Chubb Cay in the Berries all the way back to Stuart non stop. That's about 160NM.

Now I live inland and have a 20' trailer boat that I have been 32 miles out of Beaufort inlet. Last fall, I towed the boat to Cedar Island, launched her, ran to Silver lake harbor (on Ocracoke), spent the night, fished 20 miles offshore and then returned to the harbor. We ran back to CI the next morning and my total fuel burn was 40 gallons. Now that I have a much better idea on my range (60 gallon tank), I am going to the NW side of the Big Rock this summer. I am going to install a fuel management system though, just to be safe.