How far out on a 18' 90hp?

[chrowski]

Hey all,
This is my first post here, and I wasn't quite sure where to post this question so I figured I'd introduce myself, while at the same time asking a question or two. My name is Tom, I'm 21 and I've never been offshore fishing but that will change soon as my question will explain...

My friend has a 18' boat w/ a 90hp engine. It's still practically brand new so I have faith in it. We live in central NJ and the boat gets taken out almost every weekend for inshore fishing in NJ. We're all getting obsessed just thinking about the prospective fishing holes that are located 8-20miles off our coast (the mud hole). We all have the last week in August off and we were thinking about journeying out there on a day when the bay is smooth as glass to give tuna fishing a try.

My question: would you do it in a 90hp, 18' boat that you had plenty of faith in? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm just trying to get some reassurance that I'm not going to die. We're aware that it's not the smartest thing to do on a boat that small, but I just wanna know what you guys think.

Thanks in advance,

--Tom

[Cardinal Joe]

It is all about the Sea conditions & wind !!!!!!!! I have taking my 20 ft SeaCraft to the 30 line and could have gone to the canyon ,if i had the fuel ranger ! Good Luck & get a US boating boating or Sea Tow membership !


Cardinal Joe

[Boston Whaler]

If it is a good boat (with full flotation), a good skipper, current safety equipment, electronics (radio, GPS) and don't forget to check the weather. Twenty miles out is no problem. I use to do the 28 mile wreck in my 17' Boston Whaler.

[jawz12]

Hey all,
This is my first post here, and I wasn't quite sure where to post this question so I figured I'd introduce myself, while at the same time asking a question or two. My name is Tom, I'm 21 and I've never been offshore fishing but that will change soon as my question will explain...

My friend has a 18' boat w/ a 90hp engine. It's still practically brand new so I have faith in it. We live in central NJ and the boat gets taken out almost every weekend for inshore fishing in NJ. We're all getting obsessed just thinking about the prospective fishing holes that are located 8-20miles off our coast (the mud hole). We all have the last week in August off and we were thinking about journeying out there on a day when the bay is smooth as glass to give tuna fishing a try.

My question: would you do it in a 90hp, 18' boat that you had plenty of faith in? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm just trying to get some reassurance that I'm not going to die. We're aware that it's not the smartest thing to do on a boat that small, but I just wanna know what you guys think.

Thanks in advance,

--Tom

well tom...it's like this...if you gotta ask what someone else thinks,that means you're questioning yourself,right ??? truthfully,i would tell you,it's not a real good idea to run 20miles in a small boat...here's another question,do you have electronics ?? there's a whole host of equipment you're gonna need to run off looking for tuna...you guys may wanna think about chartering a boat instead...or,if you're really stuck on heading offshore,it's a buyer's market right now,you may wanna think about upgrading your boat...

[SleeplessInTheToms]

Assuming you have safety gear and good navigation equipment, Id have to say as long as you feel comfortable with yourself handling the boat. Watch the weather and wind direction as C Joe has commented. Id make sure you fill out a float plan so that your family and friends know of your where-abouts. Sea Tow is a must. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

[jawz12]

It is all about the Sea conditions & wind !!!!!!!! I have taking my 20 ft SeaCraft to the 30 line and could have gone to the canyon ,if i had the fuel ranger ! Good Luck & get a US boating boating or Sea Tow membership !


Cardinal Joe

that's cheating !! those old school 20 sea crafts were great sea boats,they rode incredibly well for only being 20'...

[joeksr]

My question: would you do it in a 90hp, 18' boat that you had plenty of faith in?

Thanks in advance,

--Tom

In a word, No.
I would not be comfortable 20 miles off the beach in a 18' with a single 90 hp.
Do people go off shore in boats that probably shouldn't be there , Yes. Saw a Bass boat at the Jackspot one year. Probably nice when he left but It started to blow and seas were 3-5. He was probably running a bigger motor but cmon, it was a bass boat.

Questions to ask yourself.

Fuel capacity, You will burn more fuel going out 20 miles in 2-3" seas than you will in the bay.

If the seas kick up, do you have enough power to climb up a 5 wave and control the boat. Do you have enough power to control the boat on the downside of that wave.
It can be like surfing. How bout a nasty inlet ?
I've seen waves breaking in inlets, do you have the power to run thru that ?

Remember, If your boat is travelling slower than the seas, your drifting and in danger.

Offshore hull or bay hull. Deep vee or Modified.

So many questions.

Just my opinion and I hope it helps. I would stay near shore.
It's not nice to fool with mother nature.

[jawz12]

If it is a good boat (with full flotation), a good skipper, current safety equipment, electronics (radio, GPS) and don't forget to check the weather. Twenty miles out is no problem. I use to do the 28 mile wreck in my 17' Boston Whaler.

running that far in a 17 montauk,that may not be the best advice...granted,if you've got a bermuda high in place,the seas are gonna be flat and the wind's gonna be light and variable,just about anything is gonna be enough to get offshore with,limitation being fuel capacity...but,typical offshore day,running that far out in a 17 whaler is gutsy at best...those things rode terrible,and they still do,it's gonna be a long miserible wet ride in and out...especially with the extra fuel tanks sliding around...

i fish a small boat,i fish the canyons and i fish the offshore grounds too...that rig is a 23 sea craft,center console...it's been rigged by me and restored by me,the boat's set up the right way...the old school 23 sea crafts are among some of the most sea worthy,softest riding boats ever produced-there's owners of these rig that routinley fish them in excess of 100m off the beach...

yes the weather is the biggest factor going,second is the experience of the guy running the rig and the third is the boat itself...running 20+ miles offshore in a small rig with limited electronics,along with a limited fuel supply,and a crew with limited experience is a recipe for disaster...

[billh1963]

As several have said...it depends.

What style/brand of boat is it? My answer in the next paragraph is based on your friend's boat being something like a Parker, Maycraft, etc. Something with a high freeboard, a track record of ruggedness, etc.

Personally, I don't think 20 miles is too far out as long as the weather looks good for the next 24-48 hours, you have the right safety equipment, and you have a bigger "buddy boat" who will be going with you.

[tom@marlinstar]

Hey all,
This is my first post here, and I wasn't quite sure where to post this question so I figured I'd introduce myself, while at the same time asking a question or two. My name is Tom, I'm 21 and I've never been offshore fishing but that will change soon as my question will explain...

My friend has a 18' boat w/ a 90hp engine. It's still practically brand new so I have faith in it. We live in central NJ and the boat gets taken out almost every weekend for inshore fishing in NJ. We're all getting obsessed just thinking about the prospective fishing holes that are located 8-20miles off our coast (the mud hole). We all have the last week in August off and we were thinking about journeying out there on a day when the bay is smooth as glass to give tuna fishing a try.

My question: would you do it in a 90hp, 18' boat that you had plenty of faith in? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm just trying to get some reassurance that I'm not going to die. We're aware that it's not the smartest thing to do on a boat that small, but I just wanna know what you guys think.

Thanks in advance,

--Tom

Hi Tom,

There are a couple other factors here which you should consider. Experience and log time on the water are extremely important here. You should be confident that you can react to what mother nature throws at you. Know your currents,swell directions,safe harbors and coves,etc. so that you can react in case you need to change your plans drastically. This is only achieved by logging hundreds of hours of water time. Take it slow....

Now, I have fished 70 miles offshore on an 18' Outrage with a 90 hp Honda.(west coast) We have been in every sea condition you can imagine including rain,lightning and 35 knot winds. Make sure your boat is equipped with all of the safety features necessary. Two radios are a good idea and I also carry a hand held epirb.You have to be ready though....everytime we take out this particular boat I always assume there could be a chance that we could run into a problem(especially with one motor) hell, we might even have to go for a swim.

Also, an 18' boat can vary like night and day. I won't put down any builders here but make sure that hull is built for the open ocean.There's nothing worse than having to run 30 miles and doing it at 7 knots because the floor is flexing and the whole thing feels like a rubber band waiting to pop.

You should be able to answer your own questions now as there are a few things to think about.Oh, stay tuned, because with all of the wealth of experience and knowledge on these boards.....I am sure you will receive the best advice out there. I just threw a few quotes from my Cliff Notes. Take it away guys.

Good Luck T!