How far is far enough?

[EQCM2B]

I was reading one of the questions on the board about small boats offshore. I was curious just how far was to far to go. I understand that the ocean is very unpredictable but would it be a wise ides as long as I could see land? I have a 15 foot boat with a 50HP engine. I am moving to the Gulf Coast and would like to visit some of the small islands off of the coast, such as Ship Island about 7 to 10 miles from Gulfport MS. Is this a good thing or should I get a bigger boat?

 

[moshpitdj]

Re: How far is far enough?

I've heard that anything below 20'-25' is too small for ocean play, even in the Gulf.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: How far is far enough?

I would not go any further than a couple of miles in your current boat. Have seen the weather turn bad fast off shore and needed all of the 22' I have now to handle the waves.

 

[12Footer]

Re: How far is far enough?

I agree with both the above. 15FT, one engine, I would stick to inshore bodies,rivers and back bays. I live on the Gilf coast of Florida, and it is amazing how fast the weather can change.

 

[mako]

Re: How far is far enough?

I would say it depends what boat your in. A few weeks ago my buddy who is well seasoned on the ocean went out in his 16 foot Starcraft in Narragansett Bay for some striper fishing. A storm hit quick and before he knew it he was in 5 footers and taking waves in a non self bailing boat. He was only about 3 miles from land at all times. He managed to get in behind Prudence Island and rode it out ok. And someone even called the Coast Guard to check on him (nice to know there are watchful eyes out there). He's been fishing out of an older 22 footer for years with never a problem and I think he had an eye opening experience as he is praising the 22. In my opinion most 15 footers dont belong on the bay let alone the ocean. I have been fishing 25 or more miles offshore for years in 20 foot boats and have fortunately managed to handle everything I ran into. And I'm sure there are plenty of people to tell me that my 20 footers dont belong where I take them. I sold my Wellcraft last year and that was a great offshore hull for its size. But the best I've owned was my 20 foot Seacraft, I ran that boat through the perfect storm one late afternoon 4 years ago and I took on plenty of water and just ran her dry. That boat can outhandle many 24's I've seen. I'll rate it as a close second to the Whaler. Right now I'm running a 20 foot Renken I got from my friend and this boat sucks big time. Just this week I was 4 miles out of Newport and practically swamped it, after taking some nice waves over the bow (not self bailing). If this boat weren't free I'd dump it in a second. As for my friends 16 foot Starcraft it can't compare to JB's Whaler, similar size boats but I'll take that Whaler anytime.

 

[EQCM2B]

Re: How far is far enough?

Thanks for the info. I guess I better get a little bit of boating under my belt before I try the Gulf. <br /><br />Thanks

 

[EQCM2B]

Re: How far is far enough?

And maybe a bigger boat.

 

[JB]

Re: How far is far enough?

Among boats under 20", and built for sea service, only a Boston Whaler has any business being more than a mile from shore.<br />JB

 

[mbb]

Re: How far is far enough?

After having lived and boated on the gulf coast all my life, from Florida to Louisiana, I feel that I should jump in here. Ship Island may be accessed from the Mississippi sound, but even so a 15' boat is too small. A GOOD 17' offshore design boat is minimum to make this run due to the distance and ability to build waves. The water is pretty shallow, with oyster reefs galore, but you could see 4' seas in here under right conditions. It is somewhat sheltered by the barrier islands. I have run this in my 17' mckee, a 17' cape horn, and 17' twinn vee. Many larger bayboats as well as seadoos routinely traverse this water too. When calm it is flat calm, like a lake, but this can be misleading. Deaths here happen when Joe Idiot runs 50 mph onto a bar with no one wearing life jackets. <br /><br />Its fine to have some brand loyalty, but its a stretch to claim that whalers are superior sea boats. There are a few well made offshore boats 18-20' that can handle moderately adverse conditions. A great on is the new design 17' Cape Horn. <br /> Self bailing cockpits are also HUGELY overrated. A pair or ever 2 pair of 1" scuppers, whose hole is partially blocked by a little rubber flap just cant pass enough water to do any good if your taking on serious water.

 

[JB]

Re: How far is far enough?

My apologies if I stepped on toes, MBB. It was my intention to include boats designed for offshore service and competently Skippered. BTW, my attitude about Whalers is not simple brand loyalty. It is over 30 years of experience, including far-offshore convoy excursions in treacherous water and dealing, on occasion, with severe conditions.<br /><br />I also need to modify my statement about Whalers to this extent: Whaler is now selling very nice inshore and bay boats. They belong inshore and in bays and protected fresh waters. Offshore in salt or fresh water is for boats designed for offshore operation, operated by seamen (or seawomen) trained and skilled at dealing with what might happen.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[krosemond]

Re: How far is far enough?

JB, good to see you back.<br /><br />I have to add my 2 cents. At the ripe old age of 43, I have 20 solid years of skippering small boats, and 20 years before that of being around some pretty sea-competent adults. After hanging around this board I realized that there are a lot of people out there with more experience than me, and a WHOLE lot more with a lot less. When I first began to take the helm without one of those adults around, I did some pretty stupid stuff, but I had been taught well and survived some hairy situations. Each one made me a better skipper. People laughed at me for showing up in places in the Bahamas in my 24 Topaz that only big boats were supposed to be. <br /><br />My point is: I will take a good skipper on a marginal hull over a novice skipper in a bigger and better boat. Every boat has the ability to flounder when all the variables of design, mechanics, weather and sea are tossed around in a bowl of luck. Part of being safe is knowing what to do and what not to do in any given situation, understanding the limitations of the boat you are on at the time, and having thought through every possible scenario of disaster that could occur. I will continue to push the envelope of the capabilities of my small craft, but it is seasoned with a lot of study, time on the water and just plain dumluck. <br /><br />For all those reasons, I make my kids take the wheel everytime we are on the water, and I make every trip a lesson in seamanship. And although I hear alot of "Yea, Yea, Dad", I know that some of it will stick. My advice to anyone who is learning to go to sea is to trust your gut. Don't be afraid to be scared. If you are nervous, there is probably a reason to be, and plan the fastest route to safety. And find a mentor.<br /><br />There is a reason that the Chapman's book only has a section on what to do when you are on the offshore side of a nasty inlet and how to run it. If you are inside a nasty inlet...well duh!<br /><br />There is never a "far enough" as long as you can get home.<br /><br />

 

[mbb]

Re: How far is far enough?

Agreed. There is no substitute for common sense, experienc, and prudence. Unfortunately, many people have to experience close calls themselves before they learn this, myself included. I started fishing offshore w/my brother, by ourselves, when we were only 15 & 16 yrs old. Today I ask myself what my parents were thinking to allow that. After nearly making a 19' boat do a backflip, being thrown out of 2 boats (w/out lifejacket), getting stuck in 10-12' seas in 18.5' boat, and experiencing firsthand how quickly boats can fill with rain+sea water in sudden thunder storms, I became more cautious than most, tried to learn as much as possible, and pass it on to others who dont realize that every trip out you do risk your life to some extent. I made up my mind a long time ago that in some situations, you and the boat will be better off on the beach, than upside down against the rocks of an inlet.

 

[krosemond]

Re: How far is far enough?

MBB. you reminded me of a good story. Disregarding my own fear, and listening to my less experienced friend who really wanted to go fishing, I started out of the inlet as a squall approached. Well it was way worse than I thought, and as it got close I bailed, turned the boat around and ran it up on the beach just on the east side of the inside of the inlet. Barely had time too drag an anchor up on the beach before the lightning got so bad, all we could do was lie face done in the sand and pray. Then the 50 mph winds came with sheets of rain. When it was over, I felt like I had been given another chance. So like any sea going fool, I keep taking it. But just one notch wiser.<br />

 

[capecliff]

Re: How far is far enough?

What is the popular opinion here on the right way to take on head seas. Straight on or at an angle?