How far out is safe

On Mar 25, 11:59 pm, GWB wrote:
On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 08:51:00 -0500, "LD"
wrote:



I posted the following last month on another group, which would apply
pretty much to your question
LD

I've taken my 20' Wellcraft, 200hp merc out 30-35 miles in the Gulf of
Mexico on a few occasions, up to 11 miles regularly, and found the following
to be good practice.

1. Check the weather, both on NOAA's website and the Weather channel. If
the waves are predicted to be over 1-2's or wind hits the 15 knot mark it
will be a shorter trip. By the time we get to the pass, we would have
checked for reports on the VHF from boats already out there and whether the
seas were building or diminishing. Through most of the summer the almost
daily "afternoon scattered thunder storms" are an issue. We take that
seriously and plan the trip to be out and back by early afternoon and may
not go at all. We constantly check the weather, noting direction of the
clouds and wind.
2. Safety: In addition to the required and standard we have spare prop,
prop wrench, plugs, tools, fuses (for radio, engine, etc.) twin batteries
with selector switch, twin bilge pumps (a 700 and a 2000gph), a back-up hand
held VHF, etc. I have a good knowledge of mechanics (having rebuilt this
engine, the transom on the boat, replaced gas gauges, re-wired and really,
been through every sq inch of this engine and boat). We wear inflatable
life vests plus have the others available and immediately accessible. We
go through a checklist before every trip that lists everything from
"sunglasses to bait to GPS. (If you want, I could email you the checklist I
made up on Excel as a guide).

On your fuel, know your normal range. The rule is 1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3
for reserve.

Do you have the tools and knowledge to remove a 6/0 hook? How treat the two
inch gash that needs stitches? Can you instantly radio your current
position before you sink? Does everyone on the boat know where the fire
extinguisher is? and how to use the radio? and the proper dialog (Mayday,
Securite, Pan Pan http://www.boatingsafety.com/vhf1.htm).

Before we head out, we check all equipment--lights, horn, VHF, GPS,
fish/depth finder, bilge pumps, etc. We tell someone where we are going and
when we expect to be back. If we change plans and are still in cell phone
range we let them know.

Get the Coast Guard to give you an inspection and get their suggestions for
additional equipment beyond that "required".

I take my 81 year old Mom out frequently. Just be safe, don't take chances,
if any questions or doubts on the weather, err on the conservative side. We
can not, nor can you go out far any time we like. The weather tells us when
we can.
LD

"Jay" wrote in message
news:IiJMh.18255$el3.12234@trndny01...
I have a 20' long with 10' beam fiberglass V-hull chapparell boat with a
johnson V-6 150hp outboard. Fuel capcity is 50 gal tank. Full electronics
and so forth, with optimum weather conditions seas 1-2 ft or that lucky
glass day. How far out in the ocean could i or should i go to see a little
better fishing, ie... size or game fish, without getting myself or others
in
trouble, or before is unsafe or unrealalistic. I would love to see blue
water but i don't think i have the fuel capacity for that, I am aware the
1/3 rule as per fuel, 1/3 out---1/3 back and 1/3 for just in case. Not
that
it would make any difference, i would be going out of either south jersey,
delaware bay or delaware or O.C. Maryland.

Any help and or suggestions would be greatly welcome, I would like to
bring
my kids, 14 and 18, but only if it's possible and safe to do so, if not,
chances are i would be doing it alone Most likely as i do most of time.

THanks in advance

Spearfishing in the Gulf, we often go out fifty miles.


I would like to applaude T3 for just about as complete an answer to
boating safety as anyone could make.
I am not part of... but spend a bit of time around the coast guard
auxillary here in Maine and its amazing to me how little people on the
water know about the water, boating regs... or even what the bouys
mean.

I think in most places the USCG offers a general boating safety course
for like $50 +/- but is loaded with invaluable boating dos and don'ts.
a 20' is a good length to head out into bigger water....... sweet
fishing, but the further you are from shore, the more prepared you
need to be.

For 1 1/2 miles out and around the shore line I use my little 30hp 14
footer...... but a mile to 1.5 in perfect conditions is the limit (of
course I'm only 4 ft wide) The 22 footer ...when I get it in and
together is planned for trips out to 15-20 miles in good weather.

I already have 2 USCG radios on order ( I can get them in for labout
$40 or $50 I think) and Garmin GPS's come in many sizes and shapes.
After looking at and hearing the reports I just had to turn into a
garmin Dealer.

Even in minimal events, having the radios is indispensible. If
nothing else you can get weather reports constantly for your area.