I have left the dock many times in the dark but it was in a boat that has radar. BUT with a 21’ CC without radar I am a little concern. I do have a route from the marina to the R2W (fishing out of Savannah) in the GPS. I have had to use it a couple of times when the fog rolled in to get back to the marina. I have fished out of Charleston a couple of times and leaving Charleston Habor is a lot easier than leaving the sound in Savannah.
Would you leave in the dark if you can not see 100’ in front of the boat? Also, in Savannah running out the sound, that is usually the ruffest part to a smooth day.
Our snapper banks are 35 miles off the sea buoy, the Navy Towers are 40 to 45 miles out and the stream is 60 miles out at the closest point.
Would love to be at the towers or farther when the sun comes up.
Hell no. If you don’t have radar, you have no business being in the fog. It’s not worth a collision with another boat that also has no radar running in the fog.
In the dark, ok, maybe so with plenty of alert lookouts on watch, in fog no way, It’s one thing to be caught out in the fog with no radar, another thing totally to leave the dock with no radar in the fog.
Russ B. www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
I would not leave the dock in the fog but have been caught coming back in. My concern was leaving when it is totally dark. Even following a boat that has radar really is not an option in my mind.
I will just have to wait for the afternoon bite:smiley:
Ricky Friedenberg
Savannah, GA
2004 Sea Pro 206
1975 Mako 171 Angler
wow!! ive left charleston at 4am in the fog from james island creek wasnt that big of a deal get on the radio, stay out of the channel and putt until the fog clears for me that mornin it was between ft sumter and rocks, then it was wide open!
19’ Key West CC 140 Johnson
16’ War Eagle 40 Yami
12’ Alumacraft 1954 Johnson 5.5
wow!! ive left charleston at 4am in the fog from james island creek wasnt that big of a deal get on the radio, stay out of the channel and putt until the fog clears for me that mornin it was between ft sumter and rocks, then it was wide open!
19’ Key West CC 140 Johnson
16’ War Eagle 40 Yami
12’ Alumacraft 1954 Johnson 5.5
VOTE DEMOCRATIC ITS EASIER THAN GETTING A JOB!
Just because you did it once and didn't have some ahole run over you doesn't mean it's safe. Trust me. There are guys out there with radar that will just assume that you will move out of the way. Staying out of the channel will keep you safer, but not safe. Lot's of people run outside of the channel. When you are putting along, you are just a speed bump. And, there is a difference between light fog and heavy fog. Sounds like you had some light fog. I've been out on days with heavy fog (I have a radar) and you couldn't see land 25' away. Even with radar it's a bit sketchy.
I would not leave the dock in the fog but have been caught coming back in. My concern was leaving when it is totally dark. Even following a boat that has radar really is not an option in my mind.
I will just have to wait for the afternoon bite:smiley:
Ricky Friedenberg
Savannah, GA
2004 Sea Pro 206
1975 Mako 171 Angler
Just do what you feel comfortable with. I had a 21' boat one and did not run in the pitch black. This was mainly because I wanted to see and understand the sea conditions once I got into open ocean. I moved up to my first 26' and it did not have radar, but I trusted the boat in a wider variety of sea conditions. I would run in the pitch black on clear nights where I could see other nav lights, etc, and navigate throught he harbor visually. I would not have tested the fog though. Once you get out past the jetties, if you run north, you have to worry about the nearshore reef buoy. Anyway, be safe. I've seen a lot of big objects out there that would not be fun to collide with, including a sunken sailboat inside of the rocks a few years ago with just mast sticking above water, floating metal crates, and floating trees. If you are going to run at night, you should also have a few strobes on board in case you end up in the water.
Also moon phase plays a big part in it. You can see a lot better with a big moon, especially if you are running towards it. If you run straight at the moon, it will pretty much light up your path entirely.
I’ve read on this fine site that if you have to ask others you don’t know on an internet forum about running offshore in a smaller boat, you probably shouldn’t be doing it. I would say this applies to night/potential fog running as well.
I think I’d wait till 5 or 6 and give up on the sun-up bite.
also, you never know where exactly the markers are. they are just attached to a weight so they can break free or move. another concern is unlit buoys. i know that 2 weeks ago out of Beaufort i counted 4 lighted channel marker buoys that were not functioning.
Worst mistake I ever made on a boat in my life was getting pressured by owner and crew to leave the dock during the fog and dark in the Folly river. Made it out ok, but it went against everything I was ever taught and know, It still bothers me a lot to this day that I let myself get pressured into leaving the dock in those conditions.
Russ B. www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
In the dark, ok, maybe so with plenty of alert lookouts on watch, in fog no way, It’s one thing to be caught out in the fog with no radar, another thing totally to leave the dock with no radar in the fog.
Russ B. www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
Agree Completely
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu
If you leave the dock in the fog & something happens you will be found negligent.
21 Contender
As long as you have a proper lookout, are running at a safe speed for the conditions, are displaying the proper nav lights, and sounding the proper sound signals you can not be held liable. They can say you were stupid to be out there, but you will not be found negligent.
If you leave the dock in the fog & something happens you will be found negligent.
21 Contender
As long as you have a proper lookout, are running at a safe speed for the conditions, are displaying the proper nav lights, and sounding the proper sound signals you can not be held liable. They can say you were stupid to be out there, but you will not be found negligent.
You are incorrect.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
Scariest time was at 3-4am when a freakin john boat with no lights crossed right in our path in the harbor.radar never picked it up,caught a glimpse of the spray in the little moonlight that was there,i was scared,pissed all at the same time…
be careful there are some really stupid people out there.
Scariest time was at 3-4am when a freakin john boat with no lights crossed right in our path in the harbor.radar never picked it up,caught a glimpse of the spray in the little moonlight that was there,i was scared,pissed all at the same time…
be careful there are some really stupid people out there.
Exactly. It's not yourself you have to worry about. It's the other guy.
We’ve left with 100’ fog, but stop at the end of the Jetties if it isn’t clear in the open ocean. Sometimes, the harbor will be foggy, and the open ocean clear.
Personally, I wouldn’t leave in any fog any more - took more chances when younger.
If you leave the dock in the fog & something happens you will be found negligent.
21 Contender
As long as you have a proper lookout, are running at a safe speed for the conditions, are displaying the proper nav lights, and sounding the proper sound signals you can not be held liable. They can say you were stupid to be out there, but you will not be found negligent.
