I’m sure that this topic will provide me wide range of answers, but I am curious as to what size boats and what size engines most anglers are using to get to the ledge. I have a 20’6 2004 Seacraft CC with a single Merc 150. It holds 70 gallons of gas, and according to the digital gauge, burns 13.6 gallons/hour at full throttle. I have all safety gear and reliable VHF. I have slowly acquired all of the equipment to troll out about 35 miles, and I am ready to go. I also know to “pick my days”. With that being said, who else out there goes out in this type of boat with a single outboard?
“Miss Amanda”
-KeyWest
-Bluewater 2020CC
-Yammy F-150 www.joinrfa.orgGod is GOOD!! ALL the time!!
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
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If you do, I’d start out maybe with a first trip with one or two other boats for sure. As far as picking your days yes for sure but you always have to remember especially offshore it can be 2ft. and 9 seconds one minute and literally at the snap of a finger turn into 4ft. at 4 seconds. So to answer your question yeah it can be done but be smart. That boat doesn’t seem to have a huge deadrise from the look of the pic you posted (could just be the picture) which helps cut through the chop a lot.
-Wishes Charlotte was 3 hours closer to the ocean…-
One last thing I know you said you have a VHF I would get a membership to Sea Tow or Tow Boat US in addition to the radio… can never be too safe. Good last name you got there same as mine haha
-Wishes Charlotte was 3 hours closer to the ocean…-
smart or not, I’ve gone to about 100’ in my 20’ boat, and will be going farther when I get a good day… Has a little more rise in the front than yours, but not too different. 73 gal tank and I burn about 8 gph/3.5 mpg cruising. That can go to hell really fast if the seas pick up though.
I have to be honest, I’ve never been out on a nice day (even in the middle of the week) where there wasn’t at least one other boat in sight for the majority of the time. Unless you’re going waaayyyy out there is usually a lot of boat traffic out of Charleston. I think for most scenarios if you’ve got the safety gear and you aren’t stupid someone will be able to get to your aid if needed. But you can’t make that your plan, or you can bet no one will be there when you do need it.
I have good vests, VHF w/DSC, handheld backup, and a Spot that stays tied to my person from the time I hit the water until I get back to the dock. Don’t have a backup GPS, but losing GPS isn’t really high on my list of life-threatening casualties. Might ruin my fishing day, but I have a compass on the boat and know which way to drive to get back to land… Going to be getting a real PLB soon, the Spot gives me some sense of security but it has some drawbacks as well.
I haven’t been around a real long time, but this topic seems to come up about once a month… stand by for a lot of BS! A lot of “smart” people have a lot of opinions, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t listen, but in the end it’s your call.
Has more to do with the experience level of the Captain and crew then the boat. A inexperienced captain can get into trouble out there on a 50 footer. Whereas a more experienced Captain might have no problem in a 18 footer.
Russ B. www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
Well said Russ. I run a 19’ to 110ft several times a year, no problem. But i have also been fortunate to have fished offshore since I was 6. No such thing as too much precaution and safety equipment either. I carry spare prop, spare battery, 2 gps chart plotters (and a handheld), handheld vhf in addition to main vhf, epirb, type 1 vests, tool box, sea tow membership, and I still do not fish if the wind is over 10knots. Can’t tell you how many times my brother and I have got up at 4:30am and looked at the weather bouy only to cancel the trip b/c I was not comfortable with the conditions. Preventative maintenance on your outboard, IMO, is also key. Maybe start with a few reef trips or kingfishing in 60ft and work from there, buddy boats also make you feel wayyyyyyyyy more comfortable when someone you know is trolling a 1/4mile away!! Best of luck and if I can ever help I am glad to do so!
Two words only, “Safety First”. You may run it, but be sure to check your calculations many times and allow for rougher seas than planned upon. File a float plan, epirb on board, ditch bag, buddy boat…etc… The boat will take more than you will any given day, most accidents occur due to captain error in rough seas, get your time in while riding with friends if unsure. Always look for a downgrading forecast as well, do not shoot the weather window by the forecasters.
Wanna kill fish, then let’s go! Always ready, always willing to teach the ways.
RussB is right. Captain’s experience and knowledge is prime.
I’ve took my 21’ to the ledge plenty times with a 150 merc.
I’ve been there when it got snotty and it ain’t fun.
I don’t think you have enough gas with 70 gallons, Not likely to be able to run wide open a lot so you need to know fuel consumption at half throttle with tabs buried. I always like to plan to have 20 gallons in the tank when I get back to the landing. My boat has a 80 gallon tank, I always carry at least 10 gallons extra and some times I have 15 If the ledge is the destination.
One trip it took us 4 hours to get back, 17 mph with the tabs bottomed out and was zig-zagging to keep from taking waves head-on.
We are in summer weather patterns now so pop-up T-storms are more normal than not.
Be very cautious…VERY CAUTIOUS.
Don’t let your desire to catch a dolphin cloud your better judgement.
I’m not going to the ledge in any boat that I have to carry 10 gallons of extra fuel in cans just so I can feel better about making the trip… There are way to many people with nice big well taken care of boats and safety equipment to hop on and go fishing.
Has more to do with the experience level of the Captain and crew then the boat. A inexperienced captain can get into trouble out there on a 50 footer. Whereas a more experienced Captain might have no problem in a 18 footer.
A few years back a 36 footer went down 20 miles from shore. Leaving 6 family members in the ocean for 21 hours. There was no EPIRB/SPOT/PLB, and the Mayday call was stepped on.
I have a VHF w/ DSC, handheld VHF, PLB and a spot.
Experience is a BIG key, but nothing replaces safety devices.
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
If you can’t stand behind our soldiers, try standing in front of them.
Having only fished offshore once (and I loved it), I will ask what may be a dumb question. How far out do you have to go to find 100’ water? Not contemplating going out in my boat as I know it’s and my limitations. Just curious.
