Can I DIE !!!!

Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
4
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

Well, I'm still reading all of what you Men are saying, I find it very interesting of the problems that could happen. When I said I was in the army, I just want you all to understand they took the fear out of me a long time ago, and being a ex cop same thing, but my Dad, uncle, and brother was all in the NAVY and the stories they have told me, from WW2 to Nam, I should have joined the Navy...lol.I'm thinking about the road trip trailer back to Texas now... You all know what you are talking about.......We all have DREAMS....Right....lol ... Thanks all Robert Dallas.

BTW,,,somebody said in his post " He might not have money" lol, I do have money, I just enjoy building old things/boats...I'm sure if I bought a new one...I would say...where is the fun and Pride now....Thanks again.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

BTW,,,somebody said in his post " He might not have money" lol, I do have money, I just enjoy building old things/boats...I'm sure if I bought a new one...I would say...where is the fun and Pride now....Thanks again.

Use your money wisely.
Buy the boat you want.
TRUCK it home.
Fix it properly while not in a hurry to get home a thousand miles away
Learn how it works.
Use it on short trips, then overnights, then weekends.
Then go for long cruises with experience and knowledge of the boat and how it works.


Small steps, not giant leaps, is how to get into boating without killing yourself or your family.
 

azlakes

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
720
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

... no experience, open waters, long trip, under 30 feet, one motor. no way dude
 

pduquette

Ensign
Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Messages
999
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

Ok guys , since I'm still green and budding ; I'll throw out a question - Is it posible to hire an experienced captain/pilot to aid him to tx? I mean , provided the survey+engine checkout seaworthy ? The shared knowage and experience on his own boat is priceless , no? I go out on Buzzards Bay with my friend and his 21' Roballo as often as I can -pay gas ; buy bait ; even tow it with my truck . He's an 'ol navy guy and been on the water most his life . He's always teaching new stuff -boating-fishing-reading the weather +currents etc. All the advice given here is great but experiencing it with an experienced teacher doubles the learning curve.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

Ok guys , since I'm still green and budding ; I'll throw out a question - Is it posible to hire an experienced captain/pilot to aid him to tx? I mean , provided the survey+engine checkout seaworthy ? The shared knowage and experience on his own boat is priceless , no? I go out on Buzzards Bay with my friend and his 21' Roballo as often as I can -pay gas ; buy bait ; even tow it with my truck . He's an 'ol navy guy and been on the water most his life . He's always teaching new stuff -boating-fishing-reading the weather +currents etc. All the advice given here is great but experiencing it with an experienced teacher doubles the learning curve.
..

Well ya got a 25 year old salt water boat.... if it has NOT had a FULL Re-power in 3-5 years..I wouldn't "Captain " it down the Interstate...much less the Gulf..
 

MikDee

Banned
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
4,745
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

Ok, Thinking more about it, here's some things to consider Robert, guessing it's 1300miles from what I'm hearing, and you average 13mph, that is 100hrs of driving at least, or theoretically at least 8 1/2 days of 12hr. daylight cruising, if you stay within close proximity, visibility, of land, for safety, providing you don't run aground, or on a sandbar, and pull in to dock for the night, & fuel up all along the way, also providing you find a spot suitable for this before nightfall, and you're still at the mercy of a single engined unknown vessel. Things to consider are does the boat take on water, is there a bilge pump in good working order, do you have a good battery, and the weak points are your prop, & rudder, and quality of fuel. Running aground, or into an object in the water, can take you out of commision easily, and it's not too easy to repair on an inboard, or water in the fuel, bad fuel, or a common problem on an older boat a clogged fuel tank screen, or tank filter, surely are things to consider. One more thing, a good anchor, & plenty of line, can be a lifesaver, but pulling one up on a 27' boat standing on a front deck in rough water can be dangerous, if you don't have an anchor winch. I know you're fearless, and the trip sounds adventurous to me, but I wouldn't chance it.
 

dmcb

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 13, 2007
Messages
93
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

I think reacquiring a little fear would be a good thing.
I have been boating for over 50 years. I have done open water boating of 150 plus miles on the Great Lakes.
And done it for years.
So I think I qualify for the experience part.
Would I do it? NO.
Not with a boat of that age without having a season or so of use so all things that will (not may) be wrong with it is fixed.
You are talking about a long open water stretch from central Fla to the panhandle.
I wouldn't do it under your conditions because I do have the experience and I know the pitfalls.
And yes the statement that says go for it is irresponsible.
Even more it is a very dangerous statement to make to a new boater under these conditions.
He doesn't know, you don't know.
Listen to those who do know.
Doug
 

amynbill

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
242
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

Why do I get the feeling that you really have no idea what a trip like this is really like? Have you ever taken a 1300 mile trip on the ocean in a 27ft boat that is 25 years old?

It is very irresponsable to suggest to someone who has no boating experience to "learn all you can about the boat, boating and safety," and go for it. Exactly how long do you think it will take him to learn all about the boat, boating and safety? A week? A month? In reality, it will take years.

I also never jumped out of a helicopter on the backside of Aspen mountain in avalanche territory to snowboard before I did it.

I never took an airplane up to whatever thousand feet and jumped out, until I did it.

I never went surfing off Montauk point during the days leading up to a hurricane, until I did it.

I never played ice hockey in juniors where people look to kill you to move up in the leagues until I did it.

Point is, life is risk, or it isnt worth living, to me. Call me irresponsible, or whatever you want. A guy died at the ice rink last week of a heart attack in his car pulling out of the lot. A month ago, some woman got hit by a bus in NYC. A small plane goes down every day.

You can stay all comfy and warm at home and make sure to not take risks. Some people not only enjoy those things, but are willing to do so.

I never said to go willly nilly. He isnt charting across the gulf of mexico. If he stays near the coast, he has radios, and flares and other safety measures, then this minimal risk will be quite a fun adventure, I would think. SUre, be safe, maybe bring someone else along, Maybe even stop at a port or two overnight. I didn't think I had to spell out every little thing.

I would do it. In a minute. Your milage may vary.
 

moterboat

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
275
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

as we have watched on the news,cubans load 45 people into a 25 ft vessel and come across the gulf from cuba to florida, 90 miles from the key's, and sometimes in rubber rafts or a canoe,LOL.. some make it,some don't.
I have been out in the gulf 75 miles from shore and it can be calm, and you can have 8 foot waves in a short time later,I would say if your going to do it,cross your fingers.. I live in tampa,I have seen some pretty wild waves even in the bay,be much worse in the gulf if it gets windy.. you would'nt catch me in a 27 ft. going that distance in the gulf,not without a much larger back up boat,the weather is too unpredictable here, not worth the risk to me..
 

DayCruiser

Ensign
Joined
Sep 24, 2004
Messages
953
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

lol...but I am having quite a fun life being so.:D

The problem is, and what many of you risk takers don't take into account, is the people who have to risk their lives to save you when something goes wrong.
I agree with Don and many others. Baby steps first.......
 

amynbill

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
242
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

The problem is, and what many of you risk takers don't take into account, is the people who have to risk their lives to save you when something goes wrong.
I agree with Don and many others. Baby steps first.......
lol..Thanks! I needed a good laugh.

I think we should all just stay home then. Ban all extreme sports. Heck, ban anything you can get hurt doing.

Ill be back soon, I need to wrap my 3 children in bubble wrap.

I wouldnt want to put undue strain on our nation's rescue and recovery resources.:rolleyes:
 

SuperNova

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 16, 2007
Messages
1,455
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

It's a fine line between being responsible and being a pansy. :D This trip could be do-able, or it could be a complete disaster. If it only affected him, I'd say "buy a good survival raft and go for it". Unfortunately, if something bad does happen, he will be placing untold rescuers at risk searching for him and I think doing something that places other people at risk because of your own stupidity is not something to be undertaken lightly. This trip is ill-advised and totally unnecessary to the point of actually being the more time-consuming and expensive option. I think the choice is pretty clear.

Amynbill, I agree with you about taking certain risks, but putting other people at risk for your own poor judgement is unacceptable.
--
Stan
 

45Auto

Commander
Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
2,842
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

From amynbill:
I also never jumped out of a helicopter on the backside of Aspen mountain in avalanche territory to snowboard before I did it.

Bet that was a commercial helicopter that was maintained to and complied with FAA regs. Most pilots tend to take real good care of their stuff. You must be good to learn snowboarding by jumping out of a chopper! Most people learn on the slopes first.

I never took an airplane up to whatever thousand feet and jumped out, until I did it.

Hmm, another machine where maintenance is REQUIRED by the government. Same situation as the chopper. Bet you never bothered with ground training either!

I never went surfing off Montauk point during the days leading up to a hurricane, until I did it.

Got to give you this one for pure balls, that surfboard could have sunk at any time! You must have been what, couple of hundred yards offshore?

I never played ice hockey in juniors where people look to kill you to move up in the leagues until I did it.

Another point for amynbill, braving those well-known junior league murderers ....

I seem to notice that any time you depend on a machine for one of your adventures it's not in unknown condition.

If you really want to be adventourous I know where there's a 25 year old airplane (I know it will crank. If you put some air in the tires and tape the rusted control cables to reinforce them it might make it down the runway). Be real interesting to see if you and it make it over the trees though!!!

Now that is ADVENTURE!!!
 

amynbill

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
242
Re: Can I DIE !!!!

*sigh* I will have to just agree to disagree with the majority.

THis is 2007, almost 8. GPS systems, top notch emergency equipment, radios, cell phones etc...I would not be so worried about it.

Do you really think the original poster is going to say "gee, that guy Bill says he thinks he would do it, so will I?" :rolleyes: Be serious. No matter what I post, ultimately the decision is with him, and this being a forum, has got his opionion of around 20 to 1. Do I think it's a good idea for the original poster? I have no idea and neither does anyone else on this forum, we just have opionions. He is going to ultimately make his own decision no matter what any of us say. We can advise. That's it.

Doesnt mean that I wouldn't do it myself. In a minute!

I'd get the boat completely checked out by maybe bringing someone I pay to go look, or I would hire a company to meet me there, go over the boat top to bottom, test run it, have the fluids all checked and replaced, maybe even stay over a hotel for a night while they do any repairs or fluid changes etc.

Bring a full emergency kit including raft or some kind of craft, flares, gps, flares, a couple of radios, cell phone, food water...etc

Id stay along the coast and make a 2 week adventure out of it. Never too far if at all out of site of shore. I would stop at ports along the way, stay overnight in a few ports...

I mean how much detail do I have to give before it turns from what some of yo picture as going across the arctic sea to just chugging along the coast.

If you plan with the weather and stay on top of the weather while going, you can always dock up. So if it breaks down...so what. If its a decent day out, it's not a huge deal for them to do a rescue, tow your boat in, call a tow company...whatever.

To me it would just be fun to just go do something spontaneous like that and see where it brings me. Sounds like a bit of fun, and yea, a small risk. Big deal. Plan it out for a couple of weeks, watch for a period of good calm, do it.
 
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