Lessons Learned from Offshore

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
1

At FishnBarrels suggestion, I am listing some the lessons I learned (better: re-learned) in list format for easier reading. Please fell free to add any and all lessons of your own. Please note that I am generally experienced, safe, and conscientious, but I let my own arrogance get in my way. Here is the list:

  1. If your favorite fishing partner backs out (my wife), maybe you should reconsider. It’s that whole karma thing.
  2. Make sure you have at least 1 spare for the trailer and that it is properly inflated.
  3. As part of your maintenance routine, break your lugs loose every 3-6 months. Trust me on this :face_with_head_bandage:.
  4. When making your hotel reservation, make sure your trailer will fit in their parking lot, don’t just go by brand. Backing a trailer over 100 feet bites.
  5. Check, recheck, triple check the forecast to include just before launch. Use more than one source for your decision. The National Weather Service uses 10 different models for hurricane forecasting and comes to a consensus. Makes sense.
  6. Bring your side curtains and other equipment. Just in case. being drenched is better in summer, but not by much.
  7. Life jackets: make everyone wear them to and from the dock.
  8. Killswitch: attach it each and every time. Never know when a rogue wave might put you on your tuckus.
  9. Sometimes there just isn’t anything as enough boat.
  10. Have plenty of fresh water, gatorade, etc for drinking and make your guests stay hydrated. No, beer and sodas don’t count. Yes, I love beer, but water creates less barf.
  11. Fuel: you will burn LOTS more fuel in rough water, LOTS. Plan for it and I would suggest never leaving the dock on less than a full tank.
    12.Discretion is almost always the better part of valor when it comes to Mother Ocean.

ColumbiaDawgfan
Sea Hunt Triton 220

2

Sounds like a really bad vacation.

Red X Anglers, If you dont know about us ask.

3

Red,

Thanks and it was a bad vacation, but we still had some fun. Would have stayed home, however, had I known. I guess that’s why it’s called fishing instead of catching.

ColumbiaDawgfan
Sea Hunt Triton 220

4

I like the list- Thanks for the update!

5

Happy to oblige! Just want the next list to be be more fun!

ColumbiaDawgfan
Sea Hunt Triton 220

6

spare filter, compact tool kit, don’t buy the crappry $5.99 orange life jacket, check that the bilge pump is working before heading deep,I leave 2 gallons of water in jugs in the boat at all times, never iced down but it’s wet just in case.

Always a float plan, if you say you are going to be home at 8pm, say 9pm for the fudge factor, I always call someone when we hit the jetties on the way back.

7

Cane Pole,

Thanks1 Great additions to the list!

ColumbiaDawgfan
Sea Hunt Triton 220

8

I always bring an extra bilge pump that has battery clamps, just in case.

Pat Condon
www.ksamarineinsurance.com
(843)568-8559

9

Now that’s a good idea…beats the heck out of a bucket.

ColumbiaDawgfan
Sea Hunt Triton 220