Carolina Skiff use Off Shore?

[Chris Allan]

I have a 24' Carolina Skiff that I use in the bays here in South Texas. I was considering making some short trips off shore this summer. Does any one have any experience to know how this boat works off shore and what kind of swells I could expect to safely navigate? Ditto for working the spoils along the Ship channel where I have seen some pretty sizeable waves pushed up after a tanker passes. Thanks in advance.

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Carolina Skiff use Off Shore?

I live in Wiscasset, Maine. While lobstering last fall I saw a carolina skiff take 6 to 8 foot seas and 20 knt winds about 2 1/2 miles offshore outside the opening of the Kennebeck and Sheepscot rivers. And the fisherman aboard wasn't concerned. Keep in mind he's been fishing that area for many years and knows the waters well.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Carolina Skiff use Off Shore?

Lotsa of these skiffs here in south Florida, see lots of them in the Gulf Stream....they jus' pound a bit in rough seas. The most stable object in the ocean is a shoe box shaped hull..

 

[EGalvTex]

Re: Carolina Skiff use Off Shore?

Scotty,<br />I fish offshore from Galv.Tx, and 2-3 foot seas mean a good choppy pounding down here. I'd feel wary giving my flat bottom that kind of treatment, but I'd say go for it and see how it does. On a good day, the Carolina should do just as well off-shore as it would in the Laguna.