smallest for 20-40? I dunno, I have a 23’er that usually goes 20-40 and it can get small at times when it’s rough. It has twins and works for me. I’ve been out to the 60 on a mako 19 a few times. Heck, my boat 23’er has been to 380 and 226. If you are planning on making it a family outing, I’d suggest having some type of spray curtain or cuddy to hide behind. Cold and wet ladies and kids make for a long ride home and an even longer boat/fish cleaning session.
quote:
Originally posted by adam7What minimum size CC would you guys feel most comfortable in to routinely go 20-40 miles offshore? Is a 23’ enough? Right now I’m debating on my next boat being ~23-26ft because (with really no personal experience) I figured 23’ would be the smallest I’d really be confident in and I don’t really figure I’d go past the Comanche.
I know all the people in their 17’ boats go out on good days and all that, but I’m pretty sure the wife would never go for it and I’m about to be in the market for something new. Plus the 1900 gets WET with just a little wind/chop.
2002 Key West 1900CC
If i had to do it all over again nothing under 30 ft …single diesel with a small cuddy…
There is a lot of difference in a 23 and the cappy that runs it.
Are you talking a 23 contender of a 23 sea bunt? A first timer at the helm or a seasoned salt?
big dog
quote:
There is a lot of difference in a 23 and the cappy that runs it.
I’m with Wando, the Captain makes a lot more difference than the boat. There are men who can safely take a row boat across the Atlantic, and some who aren’t safe crossing a pond in a good boat. I take my 18’ skiff to the Bahamas, but I’ve been doing it 50 years and it’s a dang good 18’ skiff. Any decent 23’ boat can fish many miles offshore on a reasonably good day, if the Capt. knows his and the boat’s limitations
Take little steps, learn as you go.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillThere is a lot of difference in a 23 and the cappy that runs it.
Are you talking a 23 contender of a 23 sea bunt? A first timer at the helm or a seasoned salt?
big dog
Been looking at:
23 & 24ft Key West
23 & 25ft Sportsman
23ft Grady (232 Gulfstream)
and just for kicks, the new 23ft Regulator.
Assuming I pull the trigger no sooner than 1 year from now I’d have 5-6 years of mostly inshore, harbor, and some very near shore experience.
That being said I know when to turn back, I know to prepare, and I know I don’t really feel comfortable taking this 19 ft boat out 40 miles, it just wasn’t designed for the heavy stuff.
2002 Key West 1900CC
quote:
Originally posted by Gut Wrenchquote:
Originally posted by adam7What minimum size CC would you guys feel most comfortable in to routinely go 20-40 miles offshore? Is a 23’ enough? Right now I’m debating on my next boat being ~23-26ft because (with really no personal experience) I figured 23’ would be the smallest I’d really be confident in and I don’t really figure I’d go past the Comanche.
I know all the people in their 17’ boats go out on good days and all that, but I’m pretty sure the wife would never go for it and I’m about to be in the market for something new. Plus the 1900 gets WET with just a little wind/chop.
2002 Key West 1900CC
If i had to do it all over again nothing under 30 ft …single diesel with a small cuddy…
Better yet, let me expand on this ^
If everyone else was to do it all over again, what would they look for, with a budget of $80k or less. New or used doesn’t matter, but the less money the better, really.
For example, what I have been looking at:
Used 2300CC KW ~$40k
New 244CC KW ~$75k
New 231 Sportsman ~$50k
New 251 Sportsman ~$80k
Used 23 Grady White Gulfstream ~$50k (10+ years old)
New Regulator 23ft $100+k (not really in the budget, obviously)
Brother in law also sent me links to a 27ft Sea Hunt (~$87k?) and a 25ft Contender (but it was a tournament, so no frills) for about the same.
2002 Key West 1900CC
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:You should always have twins. Period. Either that second engine is on the back of your boat or it is on your buddy's boat.
Originally posted by Chippy126How big of a deal is not haveing twins? I have one Yamaha 4 stroke, 250 on the back.
232 Well Craft Coastal
Translation: If you don’t have twins, use the buddy system and you will…
Single engine planes?
Umm, you gonna eat that?
Thousands have died to save my freedom. Only one has died to save my soul!
If it was my money I would look at the contender or regulator. And pick the contender.
I agree with Larry on just about everything he posts on these threads. His point about the dude on the helm should be considered. Experience is the important wildcard when **** hits the fan.
That said one might ask how does one get this experience ****?
Get started by fishing with others and get your days on the water. Many here need anglers to fill a crew and cf is a good match up reference. Ask the cappy if you can take the helm? Most owners will want to take a break during the day on the blue water and you can see how a boat handles under different conditions. Log your days and when you get enough for your six pack go take the course at sea school and get your ticket. That’s what I did years ago. Does not mean you are bullet proof but the knowledge goes along way when you need it.
Seems to me you are going about this the right way by asking questions. Keep doing that and get some time on the water. Check out different boats. Enjoy your fishing sir.
big dog
quote:
Originally posted by jstrangequote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:You should always have twins. Period. Either that second engine is on the back of your boat or it is on your buddy's boat.
Originally posted by Chippy126How big of a deal is not haveing twins? I have one Yamaha 4 stroke, 250 on the back.
232 Well Craft Coastal
Translation: If you don’t have twins, use the buddy system and you will…
Single engine planes?
Umm, you gonna eat that?
Thousands have died to save my freedom. Only one has died to save my soul!
There is a reason that single engine planes are required to carry a life raft when they make a crossing to the Bahamas.
big dog
My Edgewater 245cc has proven to be a battle axe and a seriously safe boat. You can pick up a good used one for around $45-55k. I’d put it on the list.
Edgewater 245cc
17’ Shamrock
Catalina 350
The bottom line is that whether you have a single or twins…you must have a plan to get back in case something happens…Lose all electrical power…have a hand held VHF…dead battery…have an extra one or at the very least jumper cables long enough to go to another boat…spun prop…have and extra prop with nut, spacers, etc…have towing insurance as a back up…tools…know how to drain or change your water seperator and filter on boat…etc…etc…etc
John
Pathfinder 23 HPS
I have very little offshore experience, but I think if you go to spots that are on the Hoy Spots map on good weather days, there will be quite a few others out there with you. Shouldn’t have a problem getting someone on the VHF if you run into trouble. Safety in numbers and all that.
13ft Whaler with 25hp Johnson
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillLog your days and when you get enough for your six pack go take the course at sea school and get your ticket.
I would guess I’m about halfway to the sea time requirement. We spent a lot of time on the water those two years in Beaufort. Not much else to do down there. From what I’ve read the 360 day requirement can be self reported on your own boat and doesn’t require an actual log.
2002 Key West 1900CC
quote:
Originally posted by adam7quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillLog your days and when you get enough for your six pack go take the course at sea school and get your ticket.
I would guess I’m about halfway to the sea time requirement. We spent a lot of time on the water those two years in Beaufort. Not much else to do down there. From what I’ve read the 360 day requirement can be self reported on your own boat and doesn’t require an actual log.
2002 Key West 1900CC
You will file out a Cg log sheet and sign it regarding its correctness for your own boat and get some one else to do the same on their boat. You will take a drug test and be subject to random testing going forward. Physical upon application. Twin card required
big dog
quote:
Originally posted by Wando Grillquote:
Originally posted by adam7quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillLog your days and when you get enough for your six pack go take the course at sea school and get your ticket.
I would guess I’m about halfway to the sea time requirement. We spent a lot of time on the water those two years in Beaufort. Not much else to do down there. From what I’ve read the 360 day requirement can be self reported on your own boat and doesn’t require an actual log.
2002 Key West 1900CC
You will file out a Cg log sheet and sign it regarding its correctness for your own boat and get some one else to do the same on their boat. You will take a drug test and be subject to random testing going forward. Physical upon application. Twin card required
big dog
You mean a TWIC card? I saw a bunch of people getting those when I was trying to get a known traveller number from TSA. Then a week later they told us all Govt Civilians can just use their CAC ID# as a KTN. So I wasted $85.
2002 Key West 1900CC
quote:Yes, they crash into the ocean and people die.
Originally posted by jstrangeSingle engine planes?
Look guys, Cubans cross over to Miami in 10’ rafts all the time. Sometimes they make it, sometimes they don’t. Is it “safe”? Is it a good idea to cross over in a 10’ raft for 90 miles? Safe is not an absolute. It is a relative concept. You can’t be totally “safe”… (This is where someone says that staying on land is totally “safe”, but then I would remind them that you could get hit by a car on land). You can only be relatively safer or less safe. Here is the question… When you get stuck coming home in a small craft advisory, with 20knt winds out of the NE and 4-6’ seas breaking over the bow, do you want to be in an 18’ boat? I sure as hell don’t. If I was stuck in an 18’ boat, could I make it home in those conditions? I am sure I could. As a matter of fact, failure is not an option at that point. But, do I want to take an 18’ boat to Japan knowing that it’s only a matter of time before I see 6’ seas? Hell no. Trust me. When it’s a TRUE 6’ sea (not an internet 6 foot sea which is really a steep 3-4’) and you are in an 18’ boat, you will be anxious, and your balls will likely tighten up a bit. Some may be scared ****less.
So, that being said. I have been in very rough seas before. Now I have a 26’ boat. Will I die if I step foot in a 23’ boat? Likely not. Will I be much more comfortable and feel way more secure in a 26’ boat, yes, 100%. Statistically will I be “safer”? That would require someone to tally up all of the offshore fatalities for all lengths of boats and compare them. Since there really aren’t that many in the grand scheme of things, then the difference will likely be negligible. Regardless of what anyone says, there are VERY FEW actual fatalities offshore (although they do happen). I’m talking about REAL safety here (statistical evidence), not your perception of how safe you are.
That being said, I don’t want to be broken down in 6’ seas wondering if my wife got my spot message and wondering if she called SeaTow and wondering if SeaTow is coming to get me. For t
Oh and as for my personal minimum, it has gotten longer as I have gotten older. I wouldn’t venture out in anything less than 23’. Even that would take arm twisting. 21’ feels too small for me. Keep in mind that I caught my first sailfish in 180’ of water in Charleston in a 19’ boat back in 1985. We only had 1 engine. Nobody died. We had Loran-C back then. But, we were smart enough to use buddy boats. And, we pulled our buddy home once in a while.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejLook guys, …, they would have.
Good info skinneej, nothing wrong with any of it. But - like you said, offshore deaths are few and far between, and out of Charleston or any major port, one is likely to see a ship or boat about every 15 min or so.
I’ve been going offshore my entire life - from 15’ Lyman skiffs to 90’ commerical fishing/longline boats. 1000’s of days at sea… 90% of the boats I’ve been on, fish on now, and currently own - are single engine. Twins are no guarantee and just as prone to fuel/electrical problems…
The only boat I’ve been stuck in - and twice for that matter - was a twin engine Chris Craft.
Have a float plan - pick your days, buddy boat if possible and enjoy.
To the OP,
Pick your day, head out of the harbor and follow the shipping lanes out and stop at the bouys from time to time - looking for cobia or kings, then head south a few miles to the Chas 60. Once there, start near the bouy and drift fish - learn the current and move the drift from time to time - you will find the hotspots and may never need to anchor. Easy trip, will build some confidence and follwing that route will keep you in close distance to boating and shipping traffic.
They are few and far between, but they DO happen. It only takes one time dying to ruin your day… I know people who have had some pretty close calls… Even if you don’t die, there is nothing fun about thinking you are going to die and I know at least 4 boats on this forum who have all had the thought that they weren’t going to make it. At least 2 of those boats do not fish anymore because they were so terrified. I don’t ever want to feel like that.