Ocean boating for the first time

[Mingle]

Hi all

I'm a new boater this year - have had the boat out a few times on a local river and have managed not to sink, crash or slam my skiers into the shore. I'm taking the boat to Cape Cod this week. There is a ramp near us on the Bass River which leads out to the ocean and I'm thinking of maybe taking the boat out onto the ocean just to go sight-seeing. Is there anything I should be aware of the first time I hit the open sea? How much weather can I stand in a 17 ft bowrider? I'm not planning on going far from shore - just pottering up and down for the heck of it.

Thanks for your help
Mitch

 

[Five O'Clock]

Re: Ocean boating for the first time

Hello Mitch,

Welcome to Iboats... luckily I came across your post and noticed your location. I'm from Tewksbury so we cruise similar waters.

You want to keep an eye on the marine forecast, which is much different from the regular weather forecast. This is the website I use for the Mass coastal waters:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/east/boxmz.htm

click on your region to see what the marine weather is like.

Keep your eye on the wind speed and the seas. What year and model is your bowrider? A big concern is how high your gunnels (sides) of your boat are. You dont want any waves being too high and coming into the boat. Since you said you don't plan on traveling too far from shore, it's probably not a big concern, but always plan for the worst.

Right now I have my boat in danvers, but i'm docking her in quincy next week for the remainder of the season. I have a 25' Monterey which can handle some tough seas.

Feel free to Private Message (top right under your name) me for some info about the oceans around here and any advice I can give.

Good luck.