I am thinking of trading my Sea Hunt Ultra 186 for a 232 Ultra or a 24 Triton and was wondering if that would be big enough to go offshore? Both are single engines. Twins get expensive. I am leaning more towards the 24 which is classifed as a Gamefisher in Sea Hunt line. Thanks
A bad day fishing sure beats a good day at work
I know a few people that take boats off shore that are only 1 foot longer than the one you have. “…big enough to go offshore?” is a rather open question. A few years ago, someone posted a picture of a few guys 30 miles out in a pontoon boat. People with 23 foot and bigger go off shore all the time. However, I wouldn’t do it without a slew of safety equipment, a GREAT radio, and so on.
I have a sea pro 238 with one paddle and its fine offshore if you pick your days. 226 is about as far as i push out and i watch the weather. Always have the best safety stuff you can afford and roll on. OH and back-up everything…(except engine:).
Big enough for off shore. That is the question. While stationed in NC I was on my way out at AR355 and seen a small boat. When I got closer it was an old man in a 16ft jon boat with only a compass. I went to see if he needed any help and he said no. The next thing he said that cracked me up was “What do you think we did before you young kids started buying all that fancy stuff”. Moral of the story. Any boat can go off shore. Pick your days and have the right safety equipment or just be old and do it as you always have.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
The right size boat for off shore. Good Question.Everyone has their own professional opinion and experiances.I was in the Navy for 22 years drove big ships,small ships and small boats. When you must rely on your own equipment,experiance & knowledge in a VERY SMALL BOAT it is a totally different story.
I have a 21 ’ Sea Hunt and praticed my small boat navigation skills for @ 1 year going to the near shore reefs, Charleston 60 etc. I feel comfortable, not cocky going to the ledge and out to @ 400’ deep of water.Some people go futher
After reading some terrible stories of local people lost at sea, I have become a very cautious going way off shore.Some things i have done to be safer
Some people call me stupid going to the ledge in a 21’ boat, i just try to be very very careful.
I am moving up to a 24’ boat a little more stable for me.
Best of luck to you.
Pick your days, I have been 30 miles out in a 1720 keywest, and 45 miles out in 207 Seahunt. 2362 has the right gear & info as explained. Go out with a buddy boat, to start.
amberjack’s list I totally agree with.
I want to add this, though.
Arrogance and overconfidence will make a 100ft bote into a 10ft bote when “enough for offshore” matters most.
At the same time, lack of confidence can also be a bad thing. Offshore is taking a huge risk no matter what boat, captain or crew. As long as you keep that in mind and respect what the ocean can do to any boat, any plan, any ideas, dreams, fears, passions, or anything else you can consider, then you will be as safe as you can be on any boat.
Offshore can mean off the beach or it can mean 100 miles off. Go with others around you all day and work out what you’re confident and willing to accept responsibility for.
Everything that happens offshore is the responsibility of the owner/captain- PERIOD. It is not a mechanic, manufacturer, sea tow, uscg, fellow boaters, commercial ships, or anybody else’s fault when something bad happens. That is pretty heavy. Some people shoulder that well in a 17 footer. Others feel like they need a 48 footer. Others utterly FAIL to ever understand and accept that responsibility, and that is what bothers me enough to post this rant when somebody’s asking about which boat is big enough to go offshore (all of them are big enough IMO if they belonged to me and I was familiar enough with them over time).
It’s just a matter of how comfortable, how much $$$, and how many folks you like to take out there. The bigger boat will obviously run faster on more days than the smaller boat, and the bigger boat will have more room for equipment and for you to fish and enjoy trips. What gets people into trouble here is not necessarily going in too small of a boat. That could be a poor decision depending on forecast, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of or seen a boat in serious trouble when it wasn’t a result of MULTIPLE poor decisions.
Again- my opinion. We all make mistakes when we’re out there. If someone says they don’t or won’t, they’re lying. It’s the chains of mistakes that get us into serious t
Thank you for eveyones input. I will take all suggests to heart. I have grew up boating and been around them all my life on and off. I also will have the equipment suggested. If anyone wants someone to tag along I will be than happy to do so some day. I am getting the 24 Sea Hunt Triton which is really a gamefisher model so I am ready to go Again thanks to you Phin I understand completely
A bad day fishing sure beats a good day at work
Phin tells it like it is. Another point is to keep up with the weather and do not be afraid to turn around if u are not comfortable with the conditions. Yes it will be rougher for the first five miles off the jetties. But as the cappy… Be ready to make the call.
As was said, have a back up on all stuff.
big dog
I have never been to proud to turn around. I give it 6 or so miles out past the jetties, sucks but always well worth it in the end.
Agreed, most important item on a boat to keep it safe is common sense and knowledge, not the boat or it’s potential gear.
Russ B. Formerly known here as “Top2Bottom1”
www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
Invest in a sat phone if you are going further than the VHF will reach land.