Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

[thehemi]

Re: Gulf of Mexico, off the Texas coast

Specifically, cigarette and cuddy styles of boats, what would
be a generally accepted minimum size to take out in the Gulf?
And I'm not talking FAR out, basically enough to get away from
the bays and inlets where everyone else is zipping around with
their smaller boats. "Offshore" where there's more open space.
(With the goal of keeping the boat length to a trailerable size.)

Obviously larger and heavier is always going to be "better", but
my wallet is not infinitely large and heavy to accommodate.

Thanks!

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

My 18 footer has been from FL to the Bahamas and from CA to Catalina.

 

[thehemi]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

My 18 footer has been from FL to the Bahamas and from CA to Catalina.

That's very good to know, thanks! PS- Good looking boat.

Specifically I'm curious about cigarettes and cuddies in the
low/mid 20s, like 23-25' models. Very trailerable and can be
powered with a single engine for lower cost/maintenance.

I see folks with these size boats in the bay all the time, but
don't know which ones are brave/capable enough to make it
out to the sea to get away from the local traffic?

Thanks!

 

[Beefer]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

I take my 16' bowrider into the Gulf (FL side) on good days. I'd feel tons more comfortable in a 20-23' as you plan. You should be fine with the general size you already have in mind. But as always, keep an eye on the weather, and pick your days. Once you have the boat, test the runs, starting with the best days, and go from there.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

26' minimum in large bodies of water that are choppy more times than not. That is if you want to stay reasonably comfortable and keep the women and children happy. You should consider the least adventurous of your passengers. Waters are usually nice and calm early in the day but heading home late afternoon you'll be glad you have the extra couple of feet. Especially if you have a ways to go.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

We took my Dad's 22ft bowrider down to St Pete and after a couple tries, we decided it was far to dangerous to take it out in the Gulf. We were pushing it in the Bay. He has a 03 Tahoe 215. It is a very low front deck style boat. The problem is that it is hard to keep the nose from going under the waves when they are close together or large.

I think it is a matter of type of boat as much as size. There are some cuddy cabin boats that I wouldnt take out on a rough lake, let alone on the Gulf. Memorial Day weekend 09 we had a 23ft or 24ft cabin cruiser flip over in a local lake due to bad weather, and I suspect ameteur driver, but it was ultimately blamed on the weather.

 

[dave11]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

I usually use my 16 ft out in the Gulf. I don't go out more than 7 or 8 miles.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

GOM can turn into a "washing machine" really quick.--It can go from dead calm to 8 footers in minutes.
A 23ft with a high bow and free board would be as small as I would go for what you are intending- of course some well run a jon boat on flat days.
ask around and see what the local's say. And study up on reading bouys and the rules.

 

[thehemi]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

Thanks for the input, folks.

 

[zip34788]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

Have had so many boats I have lost count. I have taken a total of six at least 25 miles out in the Gulf. The smallest was a 13' Boston Whaler and I wouldn't recommend that to anyone. The largest a 46' which was more than comfortable. A 21' Formula (Cigarette style) was adequate, but certainly not my choice for comfort, safety or convenience. Go fast boats may look sexy, but no one sees you when you are off shore.

Both SeaRay and Welcraft make great hulls in the 26' to 28' range that would be my preference. If you are to venture far from shore I would highly recommend twin engines. If you have ever been out of VHF range and have had an engine quit, you will never leave home with out two. Trust me I have been there and done that. :redface:

 

[dave11]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

I agree with Zip. I would want twins if I were doing a lot of off shore work.

 

[shrew]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

IMHO, I think you need to nail down the type of boat you want and what you want to do with it first. Sure, you want to go offshore and that is a great start. Any ideas how far offshore you intend on going and how frequently?

Second, what are you going to do when you get there? You've repeated several times that you either want a cigarette or a cuddie. Cigarette is a make of racing/speed boat, as is Fountain, Donzi, etc. Cuddy Cabins are a style of boat and more like a small cruiser/day cruiser. The fact that speed boats have a small cabin doesn't really make them a "Cuddy".

walk arounds and center cosole's are typically made to go off shore in smaller boats. I doubt you'll find much in an offhsore racing style boat shorter than 28 feet. Most smaller fast boats were made for lakes, such as many Checkmate models. In my opinion.

I'd start with narrowing down what you want to do and how you want to use the boat. If you really want a fast boat to run offshore, then I wouldn't be running anything smaller than 28-29 ft. with twins. Then again, what is 'offshore'? How far out do you plan on going?

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

for the gulf, if you arent going more than a few miles out and you only plan to go on fairly calm days a 20' boat is more than sufficient.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Min boat size for Gulf (offshore) cruising

Bigger is better, and once you learn to lauch by yourself, they are all the same. My friends 23' is no harder to launch than my 20'.

For the GOM, a 23-25 would be the smallest and pick one that is kinda tall rather then a sleek speed cruiser.

Small boats will just pound, and unlike a jet ski, the type of ride quality is not appealing or fun at all. It is just plain abusive on your back and onboard gear.

Sea ray makes a 268 model that is still trailierable.