what is the safe size

[anthony115merc]

i was wondering what type of conditions would a 4.8m x 2m boat handle out in the ocean i would like to be able to go to rotnest island one day after my boat is finished it takes 45 mins in the ferry would this big too big a trip for a boat this size its bondwood with a 115hp merc

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: what is the safe size

How far is the trip in miles.
Only one engine would bother me.
The size of seas has a lot to do with the swells, and such.
And alot depends on your skills.

Would you be the only boat taking the trip?

What is your backup in an emergency?

Safety first.

I want to go to AU someday. Is it worth the trip.?

Mike

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

i am not sure how many miles u can just see it frm the coast so my guess would be 15 miles and aus is deffinetly worth the trip especially perth the water goes through the city

 

[jedimaster]

Re: what is the safe size

16.8 kilometers, or around 11 miles.

 

[tommays]

Re: what is the safe size

I go far and wide with my 19' cuddy cabin on the RIGHT day, LAST season there was NOT one RIGHT DAY


And many times you can get there on the right day and have to come home on the wrong day

I gotta tell you going 16 miles in the Ocean on the wrong day can take and easy 2 to 3 hours


Tommays

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what is the safe size

before you venture very far, get the boat right. spend a lot of time in different conditions and get to know the boat and how it handles. you will need naviagation equipment. the conditions can change in a hurry, leaving you with no idea which way is which. fog, rain heavy cloud cover. you can't depend on seeing the shore.

 

[JB]

Re: what is the safe size

I don't think I would risk my 15'6" (4.8m) Boston Whaler on a 11 mile open sea run unless it was very calm and forcast to remain that way until long after my planned return.

I did take my Boston Whaler 17 across the Gulf Stream from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini (about 40 miles) a couple of times, but I was in convoy with other, larger boats. Even then I once buried the bow in blue water and was shin deep in water with fuel tanks floating around banging me in the shins. I managed to drive her dry, but the other skippers in the convoy agreed that any other boat would have been lost.

We get a lot more conservative in our later years, so my advice is to take the ferry.

 

[Boatist]

Re: what is the safe size

The boat appears to have a nice sharp entry, a closed bow and a window to keep water out of the boat. I think the boat would be able to make the trip if you have enough fuel for 135 minutes. Use 1/3 of the fuel on the way out, 1/3 on the way back and 1/3 in reserve.

Boating in the ocean is something you should take some time to learn. Short trips close to shore will allow you to see what kind of condition your boat and crew can handle. Over time you will learn what your boat can handle, how fast the weather can change and condition build.

I have a 22 foot boat and we go out to fishing banks 26 miles out. No land to protect you if the wind comes up. However we did not go until we had a second motor and a Loran C, a VHF radio and years of experence.

Lucky here we have a weather bouy out about 12 miles that gives Swells height and direction, How far apart the swells are in seconds, Wind speed and gust.

My boat and crew limits 9 foot swells every 6 seconds and 40 MPH winds, but we would not think of going out 26 miles if the swells were over 3 foot or less than 15 seconds apart. Also if the forcast is for condition to remain about the same. Buddy system also a big plus. File a complete float plan.
If you not sure it safe do not go. Over time you will learn whats normal. I also recommend a good sea anchor and a good normal anchor. If going to a island where you can wait out a unexpected change in the weather in protected waters behind an island a good anchor and lots of line is a must.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: what is the safe size

So this is a 15.75' by 6.5' boat?

You could probably make the trip, but as stated before... Only on a very flat, calm day. That could be really hairy if you have any seas kick up at all!

I have a pretty heavy 18'6" center console that I take a good way out into the Gulf of Mexico; I have come home through some crappy weather and it bangs me around pretty good, definitely wouldn't want to be in a much smaller boat!​

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

i went out there last wednesday for a fishing charter and it was 3.5m swells but that was a much bigger boat not the best type for it thou cat 3 people were sick lol

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

lol i actully havent mesured it yet maybe i should that was what i was told it was by the person who was looking after it

 

[Mark42]

Re: what is the safe size

You can do it safely if you plan well. Check the weather forcast, bring good lifepreservers, be sure your bilge pump is working, and be sure that someone knows where you are going and when you should be back. Its called a "float plan". If you have cell phone service in that area, call them when you leave, and again when you arrive on the island, again when you leave the island and arrive on the mainland.

As long as someone knows what you are doing and when you should be back, then even if you get lost or break down, someone will call the coast guard to go save you. Make sure they have the coast guard number.

In nice weather, you should be able to scoot over to the island in less than half an hour at a steady 22mph. Sounds like a nice trip.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: what is the safe size

Hey check this out. It seems like its a pretty popular trip.
I measured a few boats from the sat imagery and the shortest boat I could see was 19 feet long.
Most were in the 20-30 foot range with multi outboards.
Plan safe, but it looks like if you go on a warm calm sunny day, lots of traffic will be in the lane.

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

that sure is rottnest i have read a thing in the news paper and it says 5.0m minimum mine is 4.8 can i just add a bow roller to make 5?

 

[jedimaster]

Re: what is the safe size

Maybe a plank at the front in case you run into Jack Sparrow.

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

good idea cheaper than a bow roller

 

[Texasmark]

Re: what is the safe size

I used to go from Gulfport, Mississippi out to Cat Island in the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of approx 10 miles in a 13' Taylor craft glass boat with a 22 hp Scott Atwater engine. The boat had a one piece windshield and closed bow with 2 back to back (fold-down) seats and nothing else.

The only problem I had was fuel (having enough) and too small of an engine (could barely plane out the load). Had I had a larger engine I probably wouldn't have needed so much fuel.

The boat had a very large (wide) flared bow which allowed me to take on some really big waves. The bow would plunge in to the gunwhale (almost) and the big flare would keep her up and keep me dry.....was really fun.

When squalls came up we'd go up behind the island till things settled down.

I tried to select a calm day, but on the gulf, the heat of the day (I guess) causes the wind to pick up and usually afternoons were very rough......but I was headed home and the wind was to my back.....helped a lot.

Agree on knowing your rig and it's limitations. Also helps to know how to use it (the rig) in rough situations. Every rig has a different sweet spot. Learn it and use it.

Mark

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

i have also been thinking my 4.8m boat is very different from anything else i see usally a boat of the same size is alot lower sides and not as big bow. this seems to have a very nice shape to the front of it i really like how it slopes up and out i have seen a few similar boats shapes at work but they are much bigger and i love them too

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: what is the safe size

I looked at your pics, you've done some major changes to the boat. Have you put the 115 on the transom yet?​

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: what is the safe size

nah havent got that far i have to build a new transom and i have to wait because i am buying a car soon and need all of my money for it but as soon as i got it i will be back to it and will replace the transom add a bit more to the keel maybe add some stringers and build a new cab on it i also found out today that it has a fibreglass skin over the whole thing. i also would like to run up the 115 but will be waiting for the transom to be built i have been doing little stuff at the moment that dont cost as much.