Need help please

[boater1234]

I am going out fishing here soon and i was wondering if there was anyone on here from fl who knows for sure(100%)what the bare min req are for a 14ft jon boat if i never go offshore,the most i will ever go is a mile to 2 which is considered inshore,thanks.

 

[QC]

Re: Need help please

Florida Boating Regulations

Equipment and Lighting Requirements

The owner and/or operator of a vessel is responsible to carry, store, maintain and use the safety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. The state of Florida urges all people onboard a boat to wear a life jacket.
Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must also have at least one USCG-approved throwable Type IV PFD that is immediately available in case of a fall overboard.
A child under the age of 6 must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III personal flotation device while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is underway. "Underway" is defined as anytime except when the vessel is anchored, moored, made fast to the shore or aground.
Vessels with built-in fuel tanks or enclosed compartments where gasoline fumes can accumulate are required to carry at least one fire extinguisher (depending upon vessel length) which is approved for marine use.
All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a referee's whistle.
Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least 3 visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise. Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least 3 daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or 3 combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters.
The use of sirens or flashing, occulting or revolving lights is prohibited except where expressly allowed by law.
Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements for every description of watercraft. The information provided in the following link is for vessels less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length. External Website

 

[shrew]

Re: Need help please

I don't think the waves care whether they are considered Inshore or Offshore. A 14 ft jon boat is suited for very calm conditions. At least what would be considered extremely calm for Inshore boating 1-2 miles away from shore in the open ocean.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Need help please

There is no way I would take a jon boat offshore. The weather can change quickly and waves can change to fast to allow time to return to protected waters. Good luck if you do and I would suggest renting an EPIRB just in case.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need help please

a couple miles from land requires the same care whether it's ocean or bay; this isn't an "inshore" or "offshore" issue despite the question. And distance to land is not at all the same as distance to safety. Further, there are plenty of dangerous conditions in waters other than oceans and bays, even close in.

So your boat needs to be properly equipped regardless of the water you are going out in (other than a land-locked 2 acre pond), and it requires a skilled captain for the waters and conditions. That can be learned and acquired, slowly and carefully.

I respectfully disagree with the opinion about offshore equipment (renting an epirb for a jon boat) from the gentleman from Kentucky.

 

[cpenrose]

Re: Need help please

What do you mean what are the bare minimum requirements? What gear? You can likely get to 2 miles easily and safely just be very careful as I know john boats are extremely tippy. The swell should be no problem for the boat to handle, just I would put your phone in a bag incase you capsize while moving around. Don't think you should need an epirb. I tested my phone signal once as I was heading to the canyons, and I lost signal at 10 miles. You should be no where near there. Also, get a bunch of anchor line. Someone may correct me here, I don't know the durability; but paracord should make good anchor line for us small boaters. Like 1/4" and up since it would save room to get more, it's incredibly strong, and is relatively cheap. Get a good 4-8lb Danforth anchor to go along. I you have the money and will be making the trip a lot, I would suggest a handheld vhf. I guess you would also want a good 8hp and up motor. Don't skimp on that. Don't forget pfds obviously. If you have pfds, a phone in a waterproof case or Ziploc/vhf, lots of anchor line and more fuel than you think you'd need, you should be good under 3 miles just be very careful and choose your days wisely. If you really have the money, just get an inflatable. I'd go in relatively rough seas to 3 miles all day in my 12 footer. They are verrry stable especially compared to jons.

 

[sasto]

Re: Need help please

The ocean is "offshore" 1 to 2 miles (actually closer) out is considered "nearshore" Where are you going boater??

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Need help please

Been on canadian waters with my 12' john,granted the lakes were big but could see shore all the way around, got caught in a storm,not a good time! Had to ride it out,heck the outboard was coming out of the water through the waves,no way to turn without flipping,luckily we were headed the right direction or we would have had to go the distance and camp without the rest of the crew,and them not knowing where we were.wick would have caused them to come a looking in a storm,after dark,not good. Was much more carefull after that,everone knew what part of the lake everyone was at and camo supplies wether sunny or not!
Grub

 

[agallant80]

Re: Need help please

Wow I don't have the guts to take my bran new 25 foot cruiser that far out never mind a 14 foot john boat.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need help please

Near shore / offshore. The law is as soon as you break the inlet you are required the same no matter 20 feet or 200 miles. Not sure about your inlets but tides / wind will offer a new challenges with every use. How large a wake can you expect from passing boats? Make sure life insurance policies are caught up.

 

[Redfred1]

Re: Need help please

Maybe its just me; I always thought if you could see land; you were inshore; if not; offshore; and VERY deep. RF

 

[limitout]

Re: Need help please

if there are white caps then you are in trouble and will almost certainly get swamped and be swimming.

this is why you should never even think of going offshore even to close by oil rigs, by the time you see the weather change and you bneed to leave its far too late.

can you do it? sure I used to see idiots offshore all the time out there in trackers and regular tillered flatboats but is dying worth catching a few fish? I used to be very scared an over cautious going offshore only in calm weather in my little 15ft peanut shell boat with a 90hp but I only did it a few times before I bought a 21ft boat that was better suited for such water.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need help please

The nearest reef to me is 2.97 miles and the water only 32' deep. Inshore is the ICW, rivers, and creeks along the coast. NOAA separates the weather forecast along the Atlantic as to 20 miles and the Great Lakes as to 5 miles. USCG and other LE require the safety items when you break the inlet as they are the ones that have to save you or retrieve your body.

Maybe its just me; I always thought if you could see land; you were inshore; if not; offshore; and VERY deep. RF

 

[cpenrose]

Re: Need help please

Usually you can see land till 10 miles on a clear day, so I wouldn't do that. And correct me if I'm wrong but I thought for species such as striper, on some parts of the season you have to be inshore which they say is anything less than 3 miles?

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need help please

AAHhhh-- correct but a lot depends. From the inlets I use there is zero structure until about 3 miles. Most game fish like structure as they find easy meals there. Time of year, water temps, make a difference. In Sept/Oct schools of mullet were moving and the Spanish mackerel and blues were in them heavy from 18' - 40' of water. The kings came in to eat the blues and Spanish into 25' of water and out. Staying close can be productive trolling and over structure but some species never get in that close~~~~~ well rarely as I caught & released a sailfish in 42' this year. Specks and puppy drum will be in the creeks and ICW all year along with a few flounder. Rule #1 is you cannot catch them from the couch.

Usually you can see land till 10 miles on a clear day, so I wouldn't do that. And correct me if I'm wrong but I thought for species such as striper, on some parts of the season you have to be inshore which they say is anything less than 3 miles?

 

[boater1234]

Re: Need help please

I fish no more then a mile to 2 off the shore at anytime,Most of the time i never go any farther then 100ft from shore but i go over 15 miles down the shore line north and south,it makes a huge difference with wave height,swells,wind mostly.I have been fishing jon boats for a long time,but it's been over a yr since i went out and for the life of me i can't rem everything i needed.It says when you night fish you need at least 3 nightime distress signals,I have some flares and a gun,just went out and got 4 hand held flares for day and night, i have my life jackets,whistle,horn,i don't need a fire extigr,i have no closed compartments with gas fumes to build up so i don't need that,I have 2 extra floating cushions for an over the boat issue and for out butts to sit on,lol.I have 2 anchors,marine first aid kit, 2 screw drivers,extra pull rope,full small tool kit the motor came with,the motor manual, i have a tow company called sea tow,i don't think i need a EPIRB since i can almost walk in the water were i fish,if i go a hair offshore say a mile or 2 it gets like 6 to 12 ft at the max in depth.

I don't know how many people know fl,but i'm in the anclote powerplant area,I fish no further then were the island is for people who know were that is.Thats only in the summer though,now i won't be more then 100ft offshore,almost can walk in the water it's so shallow.

Yes i do use my judgement when i go out to,if it's a nasty cold front wind i may not even bother,if i do go i stay in protected areas were the wind doesn't blow,we call it back country fishing here in fl.The wind is always blowing so it's darn near impossible to avoid that so i have to deal with it but not be dumb to.I would never intentionally put myself or anyone with me in harms way.When you have a 14ft jon boat a chop is bad never the less waves or swells but thats just something you have to deal with when owning a flat bottom jon boat,a semi v is no different to as iv'e owned a ton of them to.Your in a jon boat your going to get beat to death no matter what you do.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need help please

I don't go out more than 30 - 35 and carry a PLB, not an EPIRB. Only 2 differences, price (the PLB is around $275) and battery length. The PLB has a 24 hour battery and the EPIRB has a 48 hour. Without a cold water suit and more floatation than a life jacket I'll be fish food in less than 24 hours anyway.