Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

[sasto]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

The seas are dead calm here this morning. Hope you have a good time at Ocean City. I have been thru that inlet and it can be harry, especially returning in an outgoing tide. Get some local information first, always.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

I am going on a vacation in Aug, and I was thinking about bringing my boat along, its a 18FT Manatee.

It has a 135HP merc outboard, we will be right on the ocean and there will be a boat launch there, I never been out on the ocean before on a small boat.

Any thing to worry about? do's and dont's?

Anything would be nice.

Thanks

Def try out long island sound - on certain days it can get pretty crazy out there

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

Since you'll be in unfamiliar waters it'll probably be best not to lose sight of land without a GPS.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

Since you'll be in unfamiliar waters it'll probably be best not to lose sight of land without a GPS.

since you'll be in an 18' boat it'll probably be best not to lose sight of land!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

I would be fairly confident of near-shore excursions with the boat if it's a cuddy; not so much if it has an open bow.

 

[Philster]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

Stay near-shore and away from breakers and shoals. Respect the inlets.

These are the real dangers, so have charts and keep the eyes focused when you are ever within reasonable distance of breakers or have to deal with an inlet.

Boat must be stall free. Stall in the inlet or near breakers = evening news story

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

since you'll be in an 18' boat it'll probably be best not to lose sight of land!

Guess I oughta quit taking my 19' Wellcraft to the Bahamas then.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

make sure you bring some flares....many inland waters dont require them...but the Great Lakes and the oceans usually do!!

I used to go out in the ocean in the winter with my 16 foot aluminum utility and an 18 hp...

and I delt with 8 footers.....I wouldnt plan it....but boats can take it, if you keep calm and are smart...plus you dont have to go...if it is rough...take the boat!!

prep the trailer well before you go....check the axel and bearings...have a good spare...makes sure you have tools..

the trip can go from exciting to misery with boat-trailer issues on the road


good luck

bob

 

[Dave88LX]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

Your anchor is your most important piece of safety equipment--ask the locals if yours is sufficient.

Can you elaborate on this? Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

Dave, if you get in trouble you want to stay where you are--not washed out to sea, against the rocks or into a shipping channel.

Gator, people who know what they are doing can go where ever they want. Those who are learning, shouldn't. Going out of sight of land requires a lot of skills even with technology like GPS, which you have to plan on failing. if you can't work a compass and navigate current drift, you have to have visual bearings.

And for someone in new waters: pay attention to what's behind you when you leave; you will need it to get back!

 

[dave11]

Re: Thinking about taking my boat on the ocean for the first time?

Dave, if you get in trouble you want to stay where you are--not washed out to sea, against the rocks or into a shipping channel.

Gator, people who know what they are doing can go where ever they want. Those who are learning, shouldn't. Going out of sight of land requires a lot of skills even with technology like GPS, which you have to plan on failing. if you can't work a compass and navigate current drift, you have to have visual bearings.

And for someone in new waters: pay attention to what's behind you when you leave; you will need it to get back!

Very astute reply, especially looking to see where you left from.