So, I spent the last year and a half upgrading from a 19’ bowrider to a 23’ center console. Complete rebuild and refit with lots of redundancy for safety. I’m looking for guidance, buddy boats, and perhaps a seasoned first mates to share sage advice, fuel, and bait.
I’ve fished the Jetties; I’d like to go to the Charleston 60 reef and take it from there. I did a fuel economy run last weekend and averaged 2.3 NMPG from Summerville to Shem Creek and back running at 2/3 throttle (3500-4000 RPMs; 28-30MPH) and burned a 25 gallons of fuel with an 80 gallon tank. So, I have plenty of margin with a 40-50 mile round trip offshore. I did get to run her half of last summer and all fall; she takes 8 people out all day in the river/harbor and rides like a dream.
I feel comfortable that I know where I’m going, area-wise. I have a Raymarine GPS, and a iPhone and a hand compass as a backup. VHF radio, with an 8’ antenna on top of the tower (reaches from Magnolia Plantation to the Wando), EPIRB (on order!), and SeaTow. Redundant batteries and bilge pumps. Plenty of life jackets for all. All required USCG safety equipment.
- What am I forgetting?
- I’m running a reliable single, I’d like my second motor to be on a buddy boat, and am willing to reciprocate with others.
- Tips, tricks, and lessons learned?
- What weather patterns should I watch for?
Thanks in advance to all. Feel free to PM me. Let’s all have fun and be safe out there!
Congrats on the upgrade. First thing get the sailflow app. Pretty accurate on forecast. Make sure you have flares and a fire extinguisher. Lastly what kind of fishing are you going to do? Mostly bottom?
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Check on the flares and extinguisher. I’d like to bottom fish, and I’m curious about dropping some lines and trolling; I’m fine if the trip takes a little longer!
Scott
Summerville, SC
1977 23’ Mako CC
Do you have rods and reels already?
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
I have about a dozen; split between heavy rods that were my father’s. All equipped with older Penn reels, and a few striper rods with baitcasters. I’ve been using them for several years with few issues (other than a few age-related failures). As this picks up, I intend to replace by attrition. But it is a great feeling to hold the same rods my grandfather fished the harbor with 40+ years ago.
Scott
Summerville, SC
1977 23’ Mako CC
Yeah that’s cool. I would invest in some Tld’s. The 15 is good for bottom fishing and the 20 and 25 are good trolling reels to start. They are work horses.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
You might want to make a fuel test run offshore, my boat can can lose more than 20% on mpgs when I run outside, especially if the wind kicks up and i have to slow down to just on plane.
I keep a PLB on my inflatable vest, always worn when offshore. Also I keep a handheld vhf close by in case I lose electricity in the main systems.
Make sure you have enough anchor rode to anchor up to 100’ deep, 300’ at least.
I’ve never been alone at capers or 60’, even in winter, so in good weather you can count on other boats being around you there.
Welcome to the only hobby I know and love that will encourage you to spend $40 a pound for fish and you will be happy you did. I encourage you to pick your weather days carefully. Both wave height and period are important. The longer the period the better. As an example 5 foot 20 seconds can be a good day while 3 foot 3 seconds not so much.
Good luck and tight lines.
World Cat 266SC
Scout 15.5
quote:
Originally posted by Evolution
You might want to make a fuel test run offshore, my boat can can lose more than 20% on mpgs when I run outside, especially if the wind kicks up and i have to slow down to just on plane.
Definitely a good point about the fuel economy. With 80 gallons capacity, and assuming double the expected consumption, 50 miles should still leave me with 1/3 tank as reserve.
Scott
Summerville, SC
1977 23’ Mako CC