What is the general consensus about taking a 24ft Tidewater Bay max offshore say in the spring and summer to go after some Dolphin? Concidering you have a good working/maintained boat and engine, all the nesessary equipment (offshore PDF,s, VHF, ditch bag W/ EPIRB, and PLB’s), and a long close watch on weather? I’m not trying to stir the pot with the post, but from what I’ve been reading on other forums, this seems to be a touchy subject. I just want to get honest ■■■■■■■■ from the community here in SC and possibly experiences from some on here that’ve taken their bay boats offshore. Lastly maybe a boat buddy for next year to head out with, 2 boats is better than 1. TIA.
You face all the same dangers as any boat. You just have a smaller error margin. When the forecast is off it really sucks in a smaller boat. Also because the hull is different they tend rock in a circle more rather than mostly side to side so it feels like a lot more rocking and it can be tougher to stomach than normal rocking. Often the tanks are smaller so that means bringing spare gas, so you might have the gas can smell. The gas smell and rocking has done me in once and another time the forecast was way off and between spray and pounding I was in bad shape. So bring weather or splash gear or be prepared to be soaked potentially and bring something soft to sit on on the ride in and out and the best spot to ride is close to the motor. Keep your load managed and avoid over loading becuase it can change your boats performance. I hear planning your trip so you have A third of A tank extra is a good way to avoid running out of fuel from underestimating gas usage. A good operator and picking your days and should do you fine. What I liked about smaller and bay boats offshore, your closer to the water, cheaper gas, more maneuverable and you can use a trolling motor with them.
Dad had a 23ft. T-Craft cuuddy cabin with a soft top that snapped to the top of the windshield. It was a deep V hull with high freeboard. We had seawater over the windshield and through the gaps in the snaps many times. The weather man sometimes lies. In a Grady type boat with high freeboard, you have a lot of “safety margin” if things get unexpectedly rough.
My old 21 ft. Skandia, which has about the same freeboard as a bay boat, had waves rolling through the boat and out the back one day in the Port Royal shipping channel when the tide turned and the wind suddenly freshened from the opposite direction. We made it home, but the T-Craft with high freeboard would have been much safer.
My opinion is that Bay Boats are for the bays, and maybe nearshore reefs and wrecks on a good day. I would not recommend taking a Bay Boat more than 20 miles offshore, although I know many do and live to tell about it.
It’s more about the man driving the boat than it is about the boat. I know an old dude that used to make regular runs from Fla. to the Bahamas in an 18 footer with an 85 horse Chrysler on the back. Often times he would even have a heavy load on that rig on the return trip.
Not too long ago, this is where Cracker Larry would jump in and tell about some of his adventures. Not only could he build boats, but he was one heck of a sailor. Not everyone has that skill set. Many of us miss his input, knowledge and presence.
Thanks for the input fellas. I feel that it will be a judgement call as the vessel captain and the people that come with are willing to take the risk as well as knowing the potential hazards. I feel confident about my skill and equipment but It’d be better to know some people that head out that far and to be able to keep radio contact. I have a friend that I’ve gone 70+ miles out several times but he’s full equipped for that type of fishing and I highly doubt he wants to putt all the way out there when he has 3 300HP motors. Thanks.
If I don’t have to go that far for dolphin how far do they come in? I went bottom fishing 40 miles out a month ago and I spotted dolphin cruising above the live bottom. Didn’t hookup with them but if they’re in that close with waters not being that warm the chances of them coming closer to shore in the summer should be okay.
Like most say, the weather is the real issue. That said, is there a magical set of conditions that would help outside? I’m using sailflow and fishingstatus.
I know personally that NE wind is not great, we learned that when we went outside the jetties to go around the back south side and it got snotty REALLY quickly.
I’ve been to the Commanche / Y-73 in a 22 Ranger Bay. But those places are in a fairly predictable boat traffic lane. Still, pick your day wisely.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
Not too long ago, this is where Cracker Larry would jump in and tell about some of his adventures. Not only could he build boats, but he was one heck of a sailor. Not everyone has that skill set. Many of us miss his input, knowledge and presence.
I think thru this winter I’ll be starting a journal of weather forecast and actual conditions At some of the nearshore reefs. I know conditions change towards spring and summer but it should give me a better pattern to plan accordingly.
Check in on here if there is talk of it being calm then you will find some one to link with. During mahi season there are a ton of boats out usually. We do get flat days, but your schedule and a flat day is usually hard to align. Is say work your way up. Find a forecast range you like and go out and test your boat in the conditions so you will have a better idea of if you would want to plan a trip with that forecast.
Its not for me but a lot of smaller boats do it …Hell we saw a 20 something foot pontoon 30 miles off this year and heard later that they went to the ledge and back !!!
Pick your days, plan ahead, Have a buddy boat or 2, and be ready to cancel if it doesn’t look good. I took my bayboat to 90ft this past summer but only with a bigger boat and several days of planning. Met the big boat at the end of the jetties and made the decision. Fun day. Also plan on a shorter fishing window possibly. Leave early and come in early. We were back at the dock by 1pm.
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
I’ve been 60 miles out on a flat day in my 19’ seapro with a 115hp yami. Crap gps and NO VHF at the time. Real dumb and big balls. Honestly I don’t recommend it watch the weather and pick your days. If your gonna do it I recommend May-July and watch the weather you probably want a good high pressure system and have the weather man tell us we have some good days ahead so you have less chance of a surprise coming home. Watch those pop ups coming in.
I was out on a 54’ Hatteras it was a beautiful morning and flat seas. beep beep beep weather and storms and wind on shore. When we got back to within 12-15 miles of shore it was no joke 5’ slop in every direction. I would have messed my pants in my boat.
Not too long ago, this is where Cracker Larry would jump in and tell about some of his adventures. Not only could he build boats, but he was one heck of a sailor. Not everyone has that skill set. Many of us miss his input, knowledge and presence.
