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I have heard mixed responses from folks in Suffolk county NY. I wanted to know what is the smallest boat you have taken to the canyons? Please mention the type of boat and your feedback on the trip. I was wondering if I should attempt the trip on my 270 coastal w/ twin 225 yami's?
Getting there is not a problem , but after reading the fishing story from offshore magazine's February issue I am concerned about the weather. From my home port in Long Island it is probably 70 miles each way ( 2.5 hours each way)
The smallest was a 89 23GW Gulfstream with twin 150's. I ran that boat for four years and made on average 6 trips a year. But let me say before I ventured out there I had made many trips over the years(at leasted 10yrs) with very experenced capt's. When I made those runs I always had a buddy boat with me. My next boat was larger(31')but much slower, 11.5kt cruise and let me tell you I hit more bad weather on the way back than I care to remember. Normally that boat took 7 hours just to get to the tip,but the ride was very confortable. That boat was always a 2 day trip. I felt very at ease with that boat and ran it for 9 years. Now I'm back with a small boat 26 steiger and feel just as confident with this boat as the larger one. It has a single diesel that runs like a top and I get 2nm/gal @24kt slow cruise. I have 200 gal fuel cap. , so range is not an issue , but I still do 2 day trips. I pick my day carefully because I am there to enjoy my self rather than some mocho thing getting their at all cost. I've had the boat for three seasons now and made two trips (after I learned the boat-Took ownership in June and made my first run in late Aug) in 2003, five in 2004, and two in 2005 which was a very bad year I thought for LI. The weather just didn't play ball. The two trips I did make were ruff but doable. The most important thing when running a small boat is pick your day. Track the weather at least five days prior to leaving and look at the bouy data to see if the ocean is building or falling. If you have never been to the canyon before, go with someone that has gone. I can't stress it enough learn to read the weather.
I've done several canyon trips in 26' center consoles. I've also taken my own boat (Pursuit 2470 Single 225 yamaha) as far south as 65 miles. Obviously safety is the biggest issue when running these distances. Along those lines you should have an epirb, handheld VHF, handheld GPS, flares, liferaft, lifejackets, etc. It also helps if you go out with a buddy boat and maintain contact throughout the day. You might start off with some shorter trips to build your comfort level and get a good handle on your fuel burn. Weather is key and you have to pick your days. Make sure you do your homework on this one. Sounds like your boat may be up to the task but the question is are the captain and crew. Like I said, start with some shorter trips and work your way up to it.
I see 23' center consoles out there all the time. 23 Regulator, Contender, Seacrafts. There is always 1 or two of them i nthe mix on the really nice days. Wouldn't catch me out there DEAD in a 23' boat, period. My 28 Scout is about my limit. I'd prefer to be out there in a 50' Post!!!
I'd take the 27 Coastal with twins. Just pick your days, when you KNOW the weather is nice, no swell, no wind. That's what I do. Those weeks in August when it's like a lake... and no weather to worry about. Make sure you have all your safety gear, and your crew knows where it is and how to use it. Have and Epirg / Gpirb on board and a liferaft.
I was out there last season in a friends 26' Seacraft w twin 200opti's. Nice boat but you really do have to pick your days. With my boat im usually out there almost every weekend as long as the weather isnt crazy. However even with my size boat, I still run out there with a buddy boat, a 39 Topaz.
21 Mako, Did it for a goof, just left the big boat at home. The weather is everything!!!!!! The fleet knew what we were doing and kept an eye on us. We caught a couple of fish but the weird thing was once it got dark I felt like I was in the inlet.
I did the trip on my 26' Regulator a few times, but they were day trips in real nice weather. Planned to go overnight once and turned back because the conditions didn't match the forecast and I didn't like the looks of things. Turned out it got much worse and good thing we did it.
I now have a 38 Blackfin and made the trip several times in my previous boat, a 32 Blackfin. The longer you're out there the better chance the forecast will be wrong. Sometimes it can get real nasty out there even when it isn't supposed to. Be suspicious of any wind shifts as what happens after the shift is often much worse than forecast.
Make sure you have a good knowledge of your range and fuel consumption at different speeds also. Do you have enough of a cushion that you'll be okay if it gets rough going home and you have to slow down to more inefficient speeds?
we used to go on a 26 robalo had all the safety equiptment and always went with a buddy boat .like the others said make sure you have a good weather window and make sure you know your fuel consumtion at differant speeds and conditions.make sure you have enough extra fuel should it get rough it can be a long ride home.with your 27 wellcraft you should be fine just pick your days and have all your safety equiptment. make sure everyone on board knows how to use safety equiptment and what to do in a emergency.
22' Mako with a single 200 hp . as was said it's all about the weather! talk to other boats that are out their,or are going out. it's just a matter if you have enought gas and oil (if 2stroke) we cancelled more than we went, and tried to find other boats that where going before we left. keep watching the forcast and wait for the good weather to come in and follow it out! light winds is the ticket! good luck
Thank you for the great responses, Tank on my 27 coastal is 188 gallons, with twin yammi 4 stroke 225's she is pretty nimble, cruise at 27 MPH top out flat seas at 49-50 MPH. Buddy boat is a great idea and I would always go with a buddy boat for safety. I am missing the epirb (will purchase before the season starts) and a life raft. 6 man raft is about $3400 from Switlik with bag and floor support ( seems a little pricey). I hear the Switlik is the way to go, so I will throw that thought out to the forum for your response on the quality and how many of you actually use the switlik life raft. However everytime I think boating and pricey I say what the hell they are synonyms. Then I think of a moran I listened to in West Marine in 2001 he walked in and said and I quote" I need a life vest for my kid , give me the cheapest one you have" I have children and wanted to get some dock rope and teach him a lesson, then I came to my senses.
Also for safety thought of picking up a pillow tank. It folds up when not in use, costs about $300 for a 30 gallon pillow tank with a pump. The idea is to go out with a full tank of fuel and the pillow tank with the extra 30 gallons. Once I have reached the canyons, simply use the pump to refill my main tank then fold up the pillow tank and in a locker it goes.
Maybe overkill, but hey you never know.
Thanks for the input.
Haven't been to the canyons yet but been just above them in the Lanes. Running a 27 Contender and am planning on running to the edge this season. Will run with a buddy boat and pic my days just like running east to the Tuna grounds. I have a Revere 4 person raft, Epirb, ditch bag, survival suits etc. I would rather be safe then sorry. Like everyone else has said keep an eye on the weather.
23' Welcraft Coastal with 100 gas and 200 Yamaha, usually burned 70 gals to Balt and Wilmington. Chunked with it at night as well, with a 1000 w coleman generator.
Forgot to mention on the gas issue. Also have a kohler 5kw genset, sharing the main tank for fuel feed. Have not quite figured out the fuel burn for the genset. What is printed in the literature and what the genset burns is usually two different numbers.
I bought a Winslow liferaft, they were top rated in some reports that came out a few years back. Actually $3400 isn't bad for a raft, the offshore Winslow will cost a bit more than that. Switlick makes good rafts also.
One thing I forgot to mention. Two of the other 3 people with me were ALWAYS boat owners. Capable captains that fished and owned marina kept craft with years of experience. Reduces the pucker factor quite a bit...and even allowed me to snooze here and there.
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Boston Whaler 210 Ventura, 225 Verado
Smallest boat you have been on to the canyons 
