Give your honest opinion

[fiftywide]

SO I want to get a boat to do some serious offshore fishing. I live in NJ. Is it nieve of me to think I can purchase somethig in the 31-38 foot range as my first boat. I do have a lot of experience on the water, although be it on my cousins 21 foot jones brothers. I am confident in handling that boat and understand the mechanics of its electrical system. I have a basic understanding of the outboard motor.
Am I fooling myself though, I have no experience in diesel mechanics or an ac/dc electrical system, none the less anchoring a large vessel somewhere between the Toms and Lindy. I have a basic knowledge of navigation, chart reading, electronics, plenty of offshore experience from charters, other peoples boats, and so on but I guess my question is can a guy just get into an offshore boat and start learning the game or should I move up to something in the 25-28 foot range and once comfortable with that boat, move up to a vessel capable of overnighters.

[Double D]

Study up on diesels and electrical systems, and get the boat you want. Try to get a few runs in on other people's boats in the meantime, and really pay attention to what is going on.

A proper respect for the boat and the ocean is the most important piece, and it sounds like you have that. But get yourself plenty of experience with the boat and offshore fishing before running an overnighter

my 2 cents

[fiftywide]

Thanks dub!

[GlennPagano]

I'm in the same boat as you. Just got a 23' Dual Console Pro-line and trying to do some offshore. I have learned that it is expensive and if you are going to go for the big offshore game get super heavy duty tackle. If not you are going to get lighter tackle and then decide that it is not heavy enough and then waste even more money. I am going out tommorow so I will see how it goes.

[Russell A. Jost]

Fiftywide, If you can afford the 38 go for it. The best advise I can give you is to hire a local knowledgable offshore Captain to take you out the first couple of times. The money you will spend will be cheap compared to the boat cost. The learning experience will be invaluable.

[iguana1]

Fifty Wide

Getting seriously into offshore fishing seems like a good plan. I do agree with the previous poster that you should work your way up to overnighters and start with day trips. Ovenighters put more strain on captain, crew and boat.

With regard to the boat, you have a lot of options here, and you want to make the right call. When it comes to the offshore scene there are different types of fishing and differnet people have different preferences. Some guys like the troll, some like the chunk, some both.

If you are into overnighters you porbably want a big heavy (and slower boat). If you are a trolling guy you might want to consider a faster, lighter (and cheaper) boat.

If you are not experienced with Diesels, electical and hydrualic systems there is a lot to be said for working your way up with a 30-36 foot outboard powered boat. This way you can get into the game without a huge capital investment with a redundant (twin engine) rig and figure out the fishing game.

It may also be worth chartering or crewing on both a diesel sportfish and a outboard CC or express, and doing both an overnighter and day-troll to see what you are into.

Personally, I have owned both kinds of boats and I can say that the outboard flavor is a fraction of the maintenance, but I may head back to big-boat land soon.

Good luck - it is a great time to buy a boat!

[austin ensor]

this new mako 28 is working out awesome!!! tons of room ..rides like any 35 ive been in. plus you dont have to go broke esspilly if your just getting into...youll learn quick

offshore=no money lol

just my 2 cents

austin

[fiftywide]

I know what I want all ready. Lower end 31 blackfin (the one for sale on here looks beaut) or ablemarle express, higher end 35-38 Henriques or ablemarle fly bridge or express. Mos Def used, lower hours. Would need to be completely turn key. I totaly would hire one of the capts i know to do a few overnighters on the boat before I did one myself. But i would feel comfortable (I think) doing trips in the 20-50 mile range.

[Cowboy]

I jumped from a 24 Vector to this




<<<<---------- Interested?

[billh1963]

If your mechanical/electrical knowledge really is somewhat limited at this point I thnk you should buy a less complicated boat (something with outboards) in the 30' range.

The boat won't ride like a boat with diesels in her belly but you will probably encounter fewer maintenance and system issues and will have a good chance to see if offshore is really what you want.

There are many good deals out there right now so if you buy right it's easier to get out later. Try to buy a boat with everything you think you want/need (electronics, amenities, etc.) to minimize your post purchase expenditures.

Good luck!