how far

[soce009]

is it safe to go out into ocean, no further than 5 miles, probably 2 at the most, in a '76 20ft, cuddy cabin proline, with '80 200 johnson?? heard many opinions about offshore fishing and different size of boats, how big/small is the cutoff for for fishing offshore, in your opinion.

 

[Solittle]

Re: how far

009 - There is no pat answer to this one. A sound boat with the right safety equipment, a safety conscious skipper and good weather/seas would be perfectly safe in the conditions you mention. Major problems in any of these areas can be fatal.<br /><br />Your boat is of sufficient size and power to do what you are interested in doing - if in good condition. I would have a marine radio on board and it is always good to let some friends know where you plan on going and when you plan on getting back so that if you don't show they can alert the right folks to go lookin.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: how far

A 20' center console is plenty big enough to go a few miles offshore in good weather. A marine VHF radio with a weather channel would be a must. I would want my motor to be in tip-top condition, too. A 10 or 15HP auxiliary would be a big plus.

 

[CaptainPuget]

Re: how far

I've been out as far as 30 nm off Neah Bay in an 18' boat. But I'd never go even 1mile out without a GPS, VHF, flares, fresh water, and two healthy engines. Also I wouldn't go more than few miles without some company. A two or three boat flotilla makes it a whole lot safer. On my last trip out there one of the boats in the group was a 15' Arima.