Hey guys I was wondering how many of you have this boat, or even boats it’s size, and how far you venture offshore? what safety equipment other than typical GPS,VHF, and PVD’s… and any other good info about this boat? Also going to repost in Boats/Motors.
What is a PVD???
No one knows if YOU are THE village IDIOT or not until YOU open your mouth and speak!!!
Here we go again . . .
White Trash
Sea Fox 236
200HP Suzuki
Phin, will be here shortly. He loves those boats. I know he has taken them to the ledge numerous times.
Just understand taking a boat that small out to the ledge is like swiming with sharks. They may swim around and linger but if the mood hits one right it will get VERY NASTY VERY QUICKLY!!
Behind this helm stands a sickness that not even a women can cure.
You have plenty of fuel range in that boat with less than a 150 4 stroke pushing her. On a good day I wouldn’t take her much past Commanche without a buddy boat for safetys sake. One of the guys that also posts on here has taken his to the ledge and beyond on many occasions. I took mine to Commanche a few times in 2-3ft conditions, trolled all day and only burned about 30 gals. I think one of the more important things is to file a float plan with the Mrs. or any of the towing services you might be a member of. They will find you within a day or so if they know what your float plan is. Do not deviate. I always leave my wedding band at the house along with my float plan for my wife. (too many of my friends have lost their bands offshore)
Have taken 4 different Pioneer 197’s offshore. One with an F200 yamaha and the other three with F150 Yamahas. The F150 yamaha does great on fuel with the 197. The 197 is also very good for its size in rough water, which will eventually happen to you no matter how good you are at picking your days. I recommend taking it a little at the time and not getting caught too far offshore this time of year when the weather can turn from slick to nasty in a hurry. Experience running any size boat and knowing how a particular boat handles and responds is invaluable. You can then know when there is a problem because of how a boat’s handling or running different from how it should. I can’t stress that enough. Yes, I have run your model boat through 6x6 seas and over many miles of 2 or 3ft slop. It is a very well made boat, and I’ve never seen any problems with it. That doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to go swordfishing in the thing. Stuff happens. It isn’t a matter of whether it will- it is a matter of when. Epirbs take a good while to get a signal off, and VHF’s don’t work the best in rough seas.
Safety equipment I would take on a 197 offshore if I owned one would consist of the following in no particular order.
Float plan,
Type 1 Offshore PFD’s with strobe lights,
8ft 6dB VHF antenna & Icom VHF wired straight to battery with independent fuse,
spare portable bilge pump with alligator clips to connect to battery,
flare GUN and handheld flares that are not expired,
gallon of water per two people,
400ft of anchor line, two chains and two anchors (that you will need to deploy if you lose the engine in steep seas over 4ft so that you are not swamped and/or so the boat stays in the position you report to USCG over the radio or EPIRB),
signal mirror,
cordless spotlight or high power waterproof flashlight,
handheld GPS to back up fixed mount GPS,
handheld VHF to back up fixed mount VHF,
SPOT satellite messenger,
automatic and registered EPIRB that has a battery that’s not expired,
extra lit
Insurance so if you live and boat sinks you can get a new one to go back and try it again.
Lets cross some Eyes.
Well Thank you for all of the advise especially from Phin. Also thank you for correcting my poor PFD spelling it was helpful as well ChuckDSlayer (pick up the sarcasm). The reason I asked is because I am picking up my new (08 Closeout w/ no hours) 197 sportfish thursday morning it has the Suzuki 150 4stroke on it. It will take me a little while to get all of the stuff needed to definatly take this boat off shore, but I was just curious of it’s capabilities. I understand those of you who have bigger boats saying not to, however some of us can’t afford those much larger boats.
Just be careful out there… make sure you can afford to live with any decision you make.
2008 Sea Fox 197 CC
2008 Suzuki 140
I have a Sea Hunt 202 which is only 19’7 long. I have been out 40 miles in it a few times but usualy stay within 15 miles. Pick your days and run with another boat. If you want to partner up sometime just pm me.
Sea Hunt 202
Yam 150
quote:
Originally posted by scmedic84Well Thank you for all of the advise especially from Phin. Also thank you for correcting my poor PFD spelling it was helpful as well ChuckDSlayer (pick up the sarcasm). The reason I asked is because I am picking up my new (08 Closeout w/ no hours) 197 sportfish thursday morning it has the Suzuki 150 4stroke on it. It will take me a little while to get all of the stuff needed to definatly take this boat off shore, but I was just curious of it’s capabilities. I understand those of you who have bigger boats saying not to, however some of us can’t afford those much larger boats.
You made a good choice! I know a guy that got one over a year ago and he likes his. Only problem now is he likes driving it so much he doesn’t want to stop and fish.
For any tech. help, go to that site Phin mentioned.
If you ain’t hooked, you ain’t doing it right.
What all these guys are saying is valuable…definitely listen to it. I had a Key West 211 and took it 60+ miles on a super calm day and it was awesome. On the way back it almost beat us to death. You will definitely want to pick your days and have a buddy boat with you.
Wishin I was fishin…
quote:
Originally posted by scmedic84Well Thank you for all of the advise especially from Phin. Also thank you for correcting my poor PFD spelling it was helpful as well ChuckDSlayer (pick up the sarcasm). The reason I asked is because I am picking up my new (08 Closeout w/ no hours) 197 sportfish thursday morning it has the Suzuki 150 4stroke on it. It will take me a little while to get all of the stuff needed to definatly take this boat off shore, but I was just curious of it’s capabilities. I understand those of you who have bigger boats saying not to, however some of us can’t afford those much larger boats.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>This is a statement you hear quite often. Guessing this boat is around 30-35k, you could get a 3-5 yr old boat 25+/- a couple ft long for same price with twin 4 stroke 200+ hp on them. So yes, a new bigger boat may be more pricey but does it have to be new is the question you must ask yourself. I can almost guarantee you that I would never buy a new boat. It will always be atleast a couple years old. I’m sure some of you old timers know the pros and cons of used boats but that’s my 2 cents on it. Other than that, if I was going to get a 19-20’ CC, by far this would be my boat of choice just from the good things I’ve heard. Phin will make you a believer in 1 report in 6’ seas!
It doesn’t matter how long/big/how much HP the boat is if
1)inexperience is behind the helm
2)boat is constructed poorly or flawed
3)engines are unreliable
4)electrical system is unreliable
5)plumbing is unreliable
6)no safety gear
7)no float plan
8)no appreciation for the fact that all sizes of boats can sink/capsize no matter how new or what brand or what size
There is a lot of false-security I see and hear from people with larger boats about their seaworthiness. Ever hear of the Titanic? No boat is big enough or strong enough. It’s the ocean. Technology is out there to help us out greatly now, but it’s still the ocean.
- www.joinrfa.org - www.joincca.org - www.southeasternfish.org - Get informed or give up fishing!
Luke 8:22-25
Life raft, EPIRB/SPOT, and water jugs…along with the usual safety equipment makes me much more comfortable out there.
I have less in my 25’ boat with 2 4 stroke motors than what most new 20’ boats with one motor cost.
Polly Wanna…
I usually stay inside of 15 miles, otherwise there’s the risk of a long, wet beating. If the forecast tells me it’s gonna be slick as eel s@*t I’ll call a buddy to go along with me to 85-120’. A bigger boat with a few hours is a better deal if you ask me. I’d say anything with the beam to support twin motors is a big step. When you go looking for a new boat you can easily get sold into the old “oh, yeah that thing can go out 80 miles” bit. My next boat will in all likelyhood be an older 31’ Tiara.
21 Sea Hunt Taco Riggers
73 gallons X .333(1/3) = 24gallons @ 4 miles per gallon = 96.36 miles
That should be your max range using the 1/3 rule with a 73 gallon tank and a 150HP four stroke.
Hey, Off course the 96 mile max range will have to be accompanied with a big ole set of nuts “Jack”
I am glad this post got brought back up…brings to mind a couple of things to check to be sure they are in good shape.
Great info Phin …you are a walking Encyclopedia…if anyone remembers what that is…LOL!
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
quote:Is that in flat calms seas or 5 footers coming out of the West?
Originally posted by oneal73 gallons X .333(1/3) = 24gallons @ 4 miles per gallon = 96.36 miles
That should be your max range using the 1/3 rule with a 73 gallon tank and a 150HP four stroke.
Hey, Off course the 96 mile max range will have to be accompanied with a big ole set of nuts “Jack”