[jongwoo01]

I just picked up 2008 Triumph 215CC(22ft) with 150 Yamaha(4stroke). They did not have Tournament edition in stock so I got one with most options on it. (factory t-top, lenko trim tap, fishing pkg, rocket launcher, leaning post with another rocket launcher and etc). I took the boat to chincoteague island in VA but I fished in the bay area with depth of 6-27ft. I never took the boat to open sea but was wondering if it's safe to go out in the ocean. How far can I go out? I have 70 gallon of tank and the book said I have range of 250miles at cruising speed of 27mph(3000 rpm). Is it safe to go out 20 miles?
Any tips or advise will be great help.
Thank you for your input.

 

[basssman]

without a doubt, pick your days, make sure you have all safety equipment, watch the weather, no problem.

 

[MakoMike]

Just pick your days for the weather and keep an eye on the weather while you're out there. I used to go out 40 miles on my 23 footer and never had a problem.

 

[Fishbust]

baby steps...

It is more of a matter of how comfortable you are going out.

20 miles, 40 miles, 60 miles....it is all the same when the motor won't start when it is time to go home and the 'pick your days' picture perfect forecast just got changed into a SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, again. "Oh yeah, new boats don't break down!"
"Oops, left that batt switch on both while drifting all day. Just how does that thing work anyway?" "Oh yeah, just throw out the sea anchor...the sea anchor that no one has."

1 motor offshore, not me. Twins = go for it, you know you are coming back.

Bottom line, if ya gotta ask.....it is not time to go out yet. Accumulate a ton of more safety gear first and more experience and inch your way out there a little at a time in a range of conditions. The 1 motor thing, nothing can help you out there.

"Pick your days!" But remember no one would intentially pick a bad one!

 

[Bigkeepers]

As far as your gonads will allow. I'd follow the advice that suggests you get some more experience in our waters and venture out further into the deep end as you get more comfortable with your boat in the ocean.

 

[Aquarius]

I don't know anything about the inlets in VA, but I know the ones on the south shore of Long Island. I would have to assume that things work the same way down south. An outgoing current will usually produce large rough seas in an inlet when waves and wind are coming in from the ocean. Incoming water, with the same ocean conditions can be very calm. The current direction changes about every 6 hours. The trip out can be smooth and the trip back in can be ****.

Learn about the conditions in the inlet. Realize that high or low tide does not always corresponde to slack water and the change of current direction.

As far as I am concerned in a 22 foot center console, its all about the inlet. That is were you can get into trouble. Take the time to learn the inlet.

 

[gverb1219]

I have yet to venture offshore in my boat, but used to go with my buddies in their 25' Parker with a 225 on it.

Went out to 50 - 60 miles in it sharkin many times.

One outboard, however, it did at least have a 25hp kicker in case of emergency. A kicker aint much, but it will get you in

Best advice given is to go out a little at a time until your comfortable with everything, and learn the areas..

 

[DarthBaiter]

All good suggestions. Make sure you pick your days, but first get to know the boat and your skills in the bay and in shore.

Also, you didn't mention your safety equipment. A good DSC VHF radio with an 8' antenna on the t-top, a good GPS and paper charts, and an EPIRB would go a long way, as would a radar.
Also, sign up for TowboatUS or SeaTow.

I had a 20' Aquasport I used to take out to the Mud Hole and the Nothern tip of Monster Ledge...from the Hudson River, more than 50 miles each way...

P.S. I got a cousin, who grew up in Edison, with the same name as your handle.

This post edited by DarthBaiter 03:37 PM 07/08/2008

 

[Bigkeepers]

I'm wimpy like that. I cannot imagine taking my 20' out that far. Even my buddy's 25' seems a bit on the small side.

 

[jongwoo01]

Thanks for the advise!!

Thanks for taking time to reply.
Yeah I do have VHF radio but not with 8' antenna, it's more like 3feet in length and it's attached to the top(side) of the T-Top. Do I need 8 foot Antenna? Dealer also installed Lowrence GPS LMS-527C but this thing is so confusing. I am just using the basic...
What's paper chart and EPIRB ? Is this must to have when you go offshore? (I mean going out 15-20 miles or so)

One more question is TowboatUS or SeaTow. Do I need to sign up to get towing service if I needed it? My insurance agent told me that I have towing covered upto 50miles out.

Thanks again!!

 

[MakoMike]

jongwoo01 wrote:
Thanks for taking time to reply.
Yeah I do have VHF radio but not with 8' antenna, it's more like 3feet in length and it's attached to the top(side) of the T-Top. Do I need 8 foot Antenna? Dealer also installed Lowrence GPS LMS-527C but this thing is so confusing. I am just using the basic...
What's paper chart and EPIRB ? Is this must to have when you go offshore? (I mean going out 15-20 miles or so)

One more question is TowboatUS or SeaTow. Do I need to sign up to get towing service if I needed it? My insurance agent told me that I have towing covered upto 50miles out.

Thanks again!!

A paper chart is exactly that, a chart of the area printed on paper. Shows you everything in the area. It's a must have. EPIRB = Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. Calls for help and lets the rescue guys know where you are. If you insurance covers towing there is no need to join one of the towing services.

 

[aja962]

I have had the same boat/engine since 2004. If you want any info re: the boats capabilities P.M. me. All the best.

 

[ReelTime]

Experience

If you are totally new to boating, try to talk with some people at the dock who have a boat similar to yours and try to go fishing with them or something. Give a little $$ for gas, I am sure that would be appreciated.

Taking a US Power Squadron course is highly recommended, Sea Tow or TowBoat US is also a must. See who is close to your area and where you will be operating.

But there is nothing like time out at sea to see how things go. Stuff you can't read in a book can be the most valuable.

Paper charts = a sea map of the area. EPIRB = emergency locating beacon.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying in close and getting used to how things go. Gas is expensive.

vsk

 

[wbyrnes]

Lets see , 250m range 1/3 of that = 83m. So you should be able to run out 80 miles

 

[6to8ftSeas]

jongwoo01 wrote:

One more question is TowboatUS or SeaTow. Do I need to sign up to get towing service if I needed it? My insurance agent told me that I have towing covered upto 50miles out.

Sounds like you can go up to 50 miles out

peak your head out the inlet and keep site of land the first couple times. then add a few mile each time you go. the first few long trips you do you should fill your tank and keep track of how many miles you went offshore. this way you can keep track of how much fuel you are burning. they tell you 250 mile range but that's got to be in perfect conditions. add some swells were you keep laying into the throttle to climb or a good head wind and who knows what your actual range is. don't forget that you should figure 1/3 tank out, 1/3 tank back, and 1/3 tank is just back up.

If you are new to boating or have been out of it for a while a boating safety course is a lot of help. I have a friend who has been boating for 10-15 yrs and he just now took a boating safety course because he bought a jet ski and he was required to have the certificate. He came back from the course wishing he took it years ago. learned way more than expected.

 

[Bigkeepers]

EPIRB is nice to have. It is a GPS beacon that the Coast Guard homes in on. Some are automatically activated when they submerge under water. Get quality life jackets, not the over the back of the neck, cheap nylon cord around the waist types.

My opinion, until you can work that GPS inside and out for the most part I'd stick close to home. Practice using the compass, make sure that it isn't being interfered with magnetically by using a hand held one to double check your heading.

 

[MakoMike]

Bigkeepers wrote:
EPIRB is nice to have. It is a GPS beacon that the Coast Guard homes in on.

You're only half right, it is a beacon that the rescuers home in on, but only the top end models have GPS built into them.

 

[Bigkeepers]

Usually the rescuers are the Coasties. They monitor the satellites too.

Why buy a cheap one? That's like buying used tires for your brand new pickup.

Bottom line is don't venture offshore until you're ready and have a knowledge of the proper equipment you'll need.

 

[floatstone]

When I was younger 23-24 year old and lived in florida, I use to head 25-30 miles east out of Ponce Imlet or Port canaveral alone in my 18 ft CC with 33 gallon gas tank with a 8 gallon spare, loran and VH radio, at the time had a 112 HP Johnson SPL (non-oil injected) taht got about 3 miles per gallon, Only went on great days,

Now at 36 years old and a bit wisesr (stil have the same boat but a new engine, I question what I was thinking making that trip alone , I have some great pictures of fish caught for memories,

The last trip that i made that far was out into the Gulf of Mexice out of Homossassa Fl to a wreck in 25 ft of water that was 22 miles offshore, Well the weather turned and has hit with a long ride home in approx 5 foot seas in less than 20 feet of water (very steep) the life perserve was on for that ride

The key is safety, if I was asked if I would do those trip again in a 18 ft boat the answer would be no, I would need to have a larger boat with a kicker, better electronics for communication and someone with me

I guess I was lucky on all my trips

Float

 

[aja962]

I have the same boat/motor package, 20 + years boating experience. I also have a 6-pack license. This is not to pad my boating resume; it's just to show that I've been around a while. I've often though of going 50 miles or so to chase tuna or dolphin. That's thinking with the "little head"- eg: " I'm experienced, my boat is relatively new", blah,blah blah. But the "small head" knows this. The weather in these parts can change at the flip of a switch; I've flew 10 miles in 1-2 foot seas and then like someone flipped a switch, I'm crawling back home @ 5 knots in 5-6 footers. Just like THAT. Yes I made it but being in those seas in a 21 footer is not fun AT ALL. Just my $0.02