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Author Topic:   Small Whalers in Ocean?

jim_usa posted 07-14-2003 04:45 PM ET (US)
What's the smallest Whaler you've taken into the ocean?
And how far out did you go?
Tom2697 posted 07-14-2003 05:03 PM ET (US)
My brother and I used to take our '62 13' into the Atlantic out of the Mannesquan Inlet in NJ. We would always be insight of land...mebbe 5 miles at the most.
Now, I've taken my '89 18' out as far as 49 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. (Total trip for that day was over 200 miles, counting trolling and running the ICW). I know it's not an ocean but check The Weather Channel right now for the current Gulf conditions...it does get rough out there!
yannvang posted 07-14-2003 05:20 PM ET (US)
Don't know if this counts but I just got back from the BVIs and saw a guy in a 13' sport about a mile offshore Tortola in 7-8 foot seas bobbin like a cork (technically a couple of miles out in the atlantic right?). Guy seemed happy as a clam fishing. I was in a 36' fountain and was getting beaten up. I wouldn't recommend what he was doing, but if I had to be in a 13 footer, it would have been a whaler.
AllanR posted 07-14-2003 05:21 PM ET (US)
I had as my first Whaler a 1981 13" that I bought new and would take it out into the Gulfstream regularly here in South Florida. Of course now, that I have a MUCH larger boat, (a 17 Montauk)and do the same thing, I think, "wow what was I thinking back then, going out off shore in such a small boat? Hmmmm.
spotsnspecks posted 07-14-2003 06:14 PM ET (US)
In the Gulf as stated above, it is much shallower than both east and west coast oceans at comparable distances offshore. It can get rough FAST though.
So far in a:
13' - 5 miles offshore, 20 feet deep on a slick calm day
15' - 10 miles offshore, 30 feet deep in 1' seas going out, 3' coming in. This was a WET ride home!
17' Montauk - 30 miles offshore, 50 feet deep 1-2' all day
17' Outrage - 45 miles offshore, 100 feet deep 1' going out, 4-5 coming home. Very dry considering conditions. A testament to the excellent design of this boat.
All of these trips were on boats with single engines. I don't (won't) do this again without at least a kicker for backup. Been there, done that. It's like my friends dad told me after being towed in: There are only two kinds of boats (with single engines) that go offshore - those that have been towed in and those that will.
maverick posted 07-14-2003 06:15 PM ET (US)
About 2 weeks ago I took my 1970 13 (with fairly new and dependable Johnson 25) and went 12 miles offshore in the Keys and trolled for dolphin. Seas were light at 2-4, skies and weather clear. I am experienced in the keys, had good safety equipment on board, and generally know what to look for with respect to bad weather approaching in this area. We had a great day, caught fish, and trolled among 50-60 boats who looked at us like we were nuts (except one boat that had an 11' Whaler on its deck as a lifeboat). I would have preferred my old 85 18.6 Outrage, but the 13 was all I had. The little 13 is small, but tough, and I felt confident in it. I would have chosen it over lots of other, larger boats that were moored at the marina, as i knew it was a good one if I used it with some sense. Twelve miles out in it was probably not the best choice, but at the time, reasonable given the conditions. And yes, this IS the 13 that hit a steel pylon some months ago that I patched. No sweat. My motto: SAFETY, UTILITY, RESALE = Boston Whaler. Mav

folivier posted 07-14-2003 06:20 PM ET (US)
A few years ago on St. John USVI we rented a 13' whaler to go diving out of Coral Bay. 4 divers with 1 tank each, went out to an island about 8 miles out. Wouldn't have even considered it if it wasn't a Whaler. Coming in with a following sea was real interesting watching the waves trying to catch up with the engine.
JFM posted 07-14-2003 06:30 PM ET (US)
1972 13'Sport off St Georges Island, untill we could no longer see land. We turned around right away back to were we could see it again.
Sometimes fishing takes over for common sense.
Regards, Jay
JFM posted 07-14-2003 06:33 PM ET (US)
Should be where. It must be these new glasses.
JBCornwell posted 07-14-2003 06:58 PM ET (US)
I used to see 13s as much as 10 mi. offshore in the Gulf stream of Ft. Lauderdale.
It became routine when the stream was rather flat, which happens a lot in the spring.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
triblet posted 07-14-2003 07:29 PM ET (US)
I've run into several people who said they have taken 13's
out to the Farallones. 21-25 nm from Bolinas, 25-31 nm from
the Golden Gate, NO protection, at the end of the longest
fetch in the world. And, in season, sharks as big as an
Outrage.

Chuck
sr posted 07-14-2003 08:41 PM ET (US)
The very first time I took our whaler our was cresent city in a b/w dealer sponsored ling cod tourney. He said no problem lots of whalers. I was in our 17 montauk and many others had larger boats, and several were smaller. I checked my compass, and loran was working fine, I gained confidence inside the bay and when the tourney started we left the harbor and entered a stiff wind pushing a 9-10' swell, I puckered up and if it were not for the 13's and 15's zipping by me I would have headed back. Since then I've been out in 10' regularly, but prefer 5-7 max.
On one occasion out at Trinidad 3 of us rock fished in a slightly unsettled sea. I kept my eys open to the building sea and when I felt it was time spun around and crawled up a set of 3 very tall rollers that broke pretty far behind us. We figured they were 14'+ (above the mean) and I called it a day. Well back at the trolley we found it was knocked from the tracks (same rollers??). We had to leave the boat for a day or two until they could repair it.
Anyways at no time did I feel uncomfortable in our montauk.
sr
jim_usa posted 07-14-2003 08:45 PM ET (US)
Sounds like some brave souls here.
I was asking because in Ocean City, Maryland there's an inlet to the Atlantic that was looking pretty nastey the other day. My best estimate was 3 to 4 foot white topped waves just beyond the beach line that pounded some boats pretty good as they went out. The tide was going out too.
Although I have seen some of those green jon boats heading through there in the past. So I guess if you know what you're doing it helps even if your boat is small.
whalerron posted 07-14-2003 09:28 PM ET (US)
jim,
There was a guy in Ocean City, MD who used to go out 40 - 50 miles in his 13 footer. He only did it in good weather. He never worried about going out so far because there was always so much boat traffic running between OC and the Baltimore Canyon. It would be interesting to know how much gas he took with him.
The OC inlet can be treacherous when the tide is running strong and the wind is blowing against the tide.
Draftmanswife posted 07-14-2003 10:03 PM ET (US)
The second Bouy, off Ponce Inlet, in my 13' was a real treat...
myotherboatisawhaler posted 07-14-2003 10:41 PM ET (US)
the live bait king mackeral fishing can be great during november around cape lookout shoals in north carolina. two friends and i took my friend's carolina classic out on a saturday and caught a limit of kings including two citations. being early in the day we came back in shore and promptly jiged a limit of nice grey trout. i couldn't wait to get up and go the next day! only problem was that my friend with the classic couldn't go and my albemarle was having engin trouble. on to plan b. i borrowed my brother in laws 18' outrage with a 20 year old 140 evenrude. ran through cape lookout shoals only to find that the warm water had moved off shore. after hitting some rather far and lonly spots such as the atlas tanker and chicken rocks we went back in shore and caught black bass and another limit of trout. all told i was 45 nauticle miles from the inlet. funny part is when i pulled up to the chicken rocks and started trolling there were two other boats fishing. happened to be one of my dock neighbors who did not recognise me in my brother in laws boat. you should have heard the trash they were talking about the idiot in that "little boat" that just pulled up. oh well!
roger8918 posted 07-14-2003 10:53 PM ET (US)
Jim, I have a Montauk and have ventured out of the OC inlet on a few occasions. Mostly for a short cruse and always on a calm day. One problem is all of the summer boat traffic. On the weekend it can get a little crazy out there. Although I do see a lot of small boats fishing the inlet side of the jetty, I usually stick to the back bays. I have heard that since they extended the jetty last year it has gotten a little rougher to get in and out of.
Smallfrye posted 07-15-2003 10:55 AM ET (US)
We routinely ran several miles off shore in a Montauk, the 18OR was much dryer but was still small on a rough day. Both 22' (w/ &w/o WD�s) could handle 4' seas with ease and run as far out as was comfortable to my passengers. I'm now reworking a 20' Guardian and expect similar range to the 22's.
The key is safety and power. If you have a good motor and good maintenance, one is enough. If your lazy and like to "launch and go", two motors are not enough.
My handle " Smallfrye" was given by a couple of sport fisherman crews who were annoyed by my speed and maneuverability getting offshore. My 22OR was able to fish wherever they went at 10% of the cost and usually with more fish caught.
andygere posted 07-15-2003 11:54 AM ET (US)
I used to routinely run my '72 13 sport out of Nauset Inlet (on Cape Cod) to fish for blues and stripers up and down Nauset beach. I also used to take if from Rock Harbor in Orleans up to Provincetown and Race Point, which is a round trip of at least 50 miles, but not more that 3 or 4 miles offshore. But remember, it's not just the distance that matters, it's the conditions. Nauset Inlet on an incoming tide with afternoon offshores can get pretty hairy. I've seen much larger boats capsize and run aground on the tricky shoals there.
where2 posted 07-15-2003 12:31 PM ET (US)
On the right day, you can run just about anything in the Atlantic. I remember in High School running my 10' Zodiac out the inlet and up the coast 3 miles to go snorkeling... I used to run the inlet in the Zodiac for fun when there were 4' swells coming in...
Sometime between then and now, I have learned to avoid running the inlet when it looks uncomfortable on the outside. The most interesting thing I've done in the 15' Whaler was go out the inlet when there were 8-10' swells outside from a hurricane out off the Carolinas. Running on really tall swells spaced 300' apart is like driving the car through hilly country. I wouldn't have done it if the swells were tightly packed, or cresting....
gvisko posted 07-15-2003 02:07 PM ET (US)
Went 25 miles due south of Moriches inlet in my
18 outrage last weekend trolling for tuna with chiefmike58
had 4to5' seas it was a peice of cake.
going again this weekend for sharks 25 to 30 miles out
the hard part is to get past the inlet. one of the worst
on the east coast thats why I sold my montauk.
gvisko
Kingsteven18 posted 07-15-2003 02:18 PM ET (US)
I used to take my 11' out of the inlet in Ft. Lauderdale. I've had submarines surface nearly under me (there was a torpedo practice/research range there) as well as aircraft carriers pass me by. Hammerheads would pass at least 1 1/2 times the lenght of my boat. Those were the days when I was young and reckless. Being a family man now, I would have to do it in my 13' !!
The Chesapeake Explorer posted 07-15-2003 10:39 PM ET (US)
I cross the Chesapeake Bay often in mid bay about 12 miles and I go out of OC Maryland and Va Beach about 10 miles. I have heard of people taking 17 ft. Montauks 50 miles out. I will pass! I guess if you have a real good feel for the weather it would be ok. As far as the OC inlet goes in Oct 2001 I almost rolled my Montauk there. At least 7 foot high going out and I ran the inlet as another big sportfisherman was coming in. stupid mistake (thats how it happens right!)
The seas I could handle but when I was going up the wave his wake hit me from about 50 feet away and I started down the wave at a angle. ..Almost rolled close call. Two hours later I returned from the Ocean to change my pants and no problem at all coming in. It was a combination of the windy seas and the tide at the inlet that made the steep seas. From then on I will not run any inlet unless I am the only boat in or out in higher seas like 4 foot or so.
jim_usa posted 07-15-2003 10:53 PM ET (US)
Kingsteven18, it's good to see you've come to your senses about those small boats! lol
Sounds like I'd need to keep a close eye on the weather and the tides, then shoot for a slot where no big boats are coming in that inlet.
After the inlet, from what I'm hearing it could be smooth sailing. I expect to have a Dauntless 160 by September.
I'd like to be able to go out the inlet and up the coast to Fenwick and wave to my wife on the beach.
Tom2697 posted 07-16-2003 12:22 PM ET (US)
I was talking with my brother yesterday. He was talking to a friend of his about me going offshore with only one engine on my boat. With my new motor ('03 Suzuki 4-stroke) getting over 6 mpg and a 63 gallon tank, I can (but haven't so far) travel over 300 miles on one tank. When my brother told the guide that I've already been about 50 miles offshore in that boat (with seas building from 2-3' to 4-6' in the Gulf), the guide's response was: "That is too much range." I guess some people just don't understand Whalers....
15ftlover posted 07-16-2003 03:39 PM ET (US)
15ft whaler (not a dry boat) 17miles off S.C. in very flat seas with weather radio on, lifejackets on, 6ft VHF antenna, and sea temp @80degress. Best answer to the question was given to me by local marina manager "the whaler can take more than you can".
jim_usa posted 07-16-2003 07:31 PM ET (US)
15lover, thats what I'm thinking. The Whaler is unsinkable, but if you get tossed overboard, you better be a good swimmer or have on a life jacket.
The boat will keep floating but you might not.
Beaner posted 07-16-2003 09:15 PM ET (US)

gvisko,
I also fish the Moriches area. I have a 170 Montauk and have fished in the inlet but have not yet had the courage to go through (especially after those people in the 23 Grady got killed this year)! My question for you is did you ever take your Montauk through the inlet and if so what were the conditions like? I am much more the bay/North Shore fisherman, but wouldn't mind fishing the hole right outside of Moriches once in a while. Thanks.
gvisko posted 07-16-2003 11:03 PM ET (US)
Beaner you can do it just pick your days took mine out
alot to the dredge hole dont mean to scare you. try to
come back on incoming tide and just hug the east jetty
plenty of water for your montauk see you out side. this
weekend looks good for you. also try by the sea bouy
been hot for fluke. george v.
Eric posted 07-16-2003 11:32 PM ET (US)
Twenty miles south of Big Pine Key in my 1962 Nauset 16. Came in with 4-5 foot seas, wet and rough ride, but still fun (with a wahoo in the cooler). Single Johnson 90 with 95 hours, two submersible VHFs (a handheld and a DSC console mount), sospenders pfd, appropriate signal gear (flares, smoke, dye pack, mirror, flag, strobe). Kept my kill switch on the entire trip, except when gaffing fish (motor in neutral).
It got really nasty on the way in, rough enough to knock a chunk of glass out of the chine about half the size of my palm. I came off some of those waves like dropping four feet onto a parking lot! Most boats would have sunk, but I didn't even know it happened till I got home the next day and cleaned the boat.
I need a more appropriate boat, so as much as I love this one, it'll get replaced with an outrage soon.
FISHNFF posted 07-17-2003 01:22 AM ET (US)
In my former 1981 13 Sport with a Yamaha 40/50, regularly did rockfish and salmon out of Pillar Point, furthest being about 18 miles from port. Knew of a retired cop who had a 13 Alert with a custom stand-up console and 1" 360 degree wrap around high SS rails who went everywhere.
In my 17 Alert/Montauk, I'll do albacore runs from 35-62 miles. The 62 miles was from Seal Rocks to the top of the Guide Seamount. 169 miles on the GPS odometer that day!
FISHNFF
SpeedBump posted 07-18-2003 12:25 PM ET (US)
I have taken my '68 classic 13' off shore through Barnegat inlet a good number of times but not far. When it was first rigged with a 25 Evenrude I would go out fishing to about the range bouy but was reluctant to shut the thing down. Several years later I upgraded to a 40 HP Yamaha, felt much more secure about both distance and conditions to go out in. For the most part I would just be a fair weather sailor out in the ocean in the 13'.
Now that I have added 4 feet and 30 HP in my upgrade to a two year newer Nauset I would say I am almost fearless @ going through the inlet, regardless of the conditions..
ryanwhaler posted 07-18-2003 06:16 PM ET (US)
I've had my 11' three miles of the cost of Maine.
Kingsteven18 posted 07-18-2003 06:36 PM ET (US)
I should be embarassed about this one, it's worse than my 11' / Ft. Laud. post. Down in Islamorada in the Fl. Keys, I was a couple of miles offshore in a square stern aluminum canoe!! I was only going to go into the backwater on the Gulf side that day, but the ocean was like glass. In no time flat, the sky got black and a waterspout (a tornado over water) was headed straight toward me. The waves picked up and between the wind and the current I couldn't get away from this thing. I thought I was in for some serious trouble when at the last minute, the skies cleared as quickly as the trouble had brewed. The lesson I learned? If you're going to act like an ass, at least do it in a Whaler, you won't be as scared!
Austin Wood posted 07-18-2003 11:36 PM ET (US)
My family has a small
vacation house on South Andros Island in the Bahamas. Last summer we wanted to take our 13 Whaler to the house to leave it there so we would have a boat there when we visited. After getting shipping rates from several companies my brother and I decided to drive the boat there. We picked a calm day and went From The Miami inlet to Cat Cay, 43 miles across the Gulf Stream, then 61 miles to South Andros. Other than a sore bottom we had no problems. It wasnt the smartest thing we've ever done but why not.
jim_usa posted 07-18-2003 11:46 PM ET (US)
Austin, how many cans of gas did you have to load up with before you left?
Austin Wood posted 07-18-2003 11:50 PM ET (US)
We had 2-12 gallon fuel tanks and a 6 gallon gas can.
jimh posted 07-19-2003 08:55 AM ET (US)
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Author	Topic: Small Whalers in Ocean?
jim_usa	posted 07-14-2003 04:45 PM ET (US) What's the smallest Whaler you've taken into the ocean? And how far out did you go?
Tom2697	posted 07-14-2003 05:03 PM ET (US) My brother and I used to take our '62 13' into the Atlantic out of the Mannesquan Inlet in NJ. We would always be insight of land...mebbe 5 miles at the most. Now, I've taken my '89 18' out as far as 49 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. (Total trip for that day was over 200 miles, counting trolling and running the ICW). I know it's not an ocean but check The Weather Channel right now for the current Gulf conditions...it does get rough out there!
yannvang	posted 07-14-2003 05:20 PM ET (US) Don't know if this counts but I just got back from the BVIs and saw a guy in a 13' sport about a mile offshore Tortola in 7-8 foot seas bobbin like a cork (technically a couple of miles out in the atlantic right?). Guy seemed happy as a clam fishing. I was in a 36' fountain and was getting beaten up. I wouldn't recommend what he was doing, but if I had to be in a 13 footer, it would have been a whaler.
AllanR	posted 07-14-2003 05:21 PM ET (US) I had as my first Whaler a 1981 13" that I bought new and would take it out into the Gulfstream regularly here in South Florida. Of course now, that I have a MUCH larger boat, (a 17 Montauk)and do the same thing, I think, "wow what was I thinking back then, going out off shore in such a small boat? Hmmmm.
spotsnspecks	posted 07-14-2003 06:14 PM ET (US) In the Gulf as stated above, it is much shallower than both east and west coast oceans at comparable distances offshore. It can get rough FAST though. So far in a: 13' - 5 miles offshore, 20 feet deep on a slick calm day 15' - 10 miles offshore, 30 feet deep in 1' seas going out, 3' coming in. This was a WET ride home! 17' Montauk - 30 miles offshore, 50 feet deep 1-2' all day 17' Outrage - 45 miles offshore, 100 feet deep 1' going out, 4-5 coming home. Very dry considering conditions. A testament to the excellent design of this boat. All of these trips were on boats with single engines. I don't (won't) do this again without at least a kicker for backup. Been there, done that. It's like my friends dad told me after being towed in: There are only two kinds of boats (with single engines) that go offshore - those that have been towed in and those that will.
maverick	posted 07-14-2003 06:15 PM ET (US) About 2 weeks ago I took my 1970 13 (with fairly new and dependable Johnson 25) and went 12 miles offshore in the Keys and trolled for dolphin. Seas were light at 2-4, skies and weather clear. I am experienced in the keys, had good safety equipment on board, and generally know what to look for with respect to bad weather approaching in this area. We had a great day, caught fish, and trolled among 50-60 boats who looked at us like we were nuts (except one boat that had an 11' Whaler on its deck as a lifeboat). I would have preferred my old 85 18.6 Outrage, but the 13 was all I had. The little 13 is small, but tough, and I felt confident in it. I would have chosen it over lots of other, larger boats that were moored at the marina, as i knew it was a good one if I used it with some sense. Twelve miles out in it was probably not the best choice, but at the time, reasonable given the conditions. And yes, this IS the 13 that hit a steel pylon some months ago that I patched. No sweat. My motto: SAFETY, UTILITY, RESALE = Boston Whaler. Mav
folivier	posted 07-14-2003 06:20 PM ET (US) A few years ago on St. John USVI we rented a 13' whaler to go diving out of Coral Bay. 4 divers with 1 tank each, went out to an island about 8 miles out. Wouldn't have even considered it if it wasn't a Whaler. Coming in with a following sea was real interesting watching the waves trying to catch up with the engine.
JFM	posted 07-14-2003 06:30 PM ET (US) 1972 13'Sport off St Georges Island, untill we could no longer see land. We turned around right away back to were we could see it again. Sometimes fishing takes over for common sense. Regards, Jay
JFM	posted 07-14-2003 06:33 PM ET (US) Should be where. It must be these new glasses.
JBCornwell	posted 07-14-2003 06:58 PM ET (US) I used to see 13s as much as 10 mi. offshore in the Gulf stream of Ft. Lauderdale. It became routine when the stream was rather flat, which happens a lot in the spring. Red sky at night. . . JB
triblet	posted 07-14-2003 07:29 PM ET (US) I've run into several people who said they have taken 13's out to the Farallones. 21-25 nm from Bolinas, 25-31 nm from the Golden Gate, NO protection, at the end of the longest fetch in the world. And, in season, sharks as big as an Outrage. Chuck
sr	posted 07-14-2003 08:41 PM ET (US) The very first time I took our whaler our was cresent city in a b/w dealer sponsored ling cod tourney. He said no problem lots of whalers. I was in our 17 montauk and many others had larger boats, and several were smaller. I checked my compass, and loran was working fine, I gained confidence inside the bay and when the tourney started we left the harbor and entered a stiff wind pushing a 9-10' swell, I puckered up and if it were not for the 13's and 15's zipping by me I would have headed back. Since then I've been out in 10' regularly, but prefer 5-7 max. On one occasion out at Trinidad 3 of us rock fished in a slightly unsettled sea. I kept my eys open to the building sea and when I felt it was time spun around and crawled up a set of 3 very tall rollers that broke pretty far behind us. We figured they were 14'+ (above the mean) and I called it a day. Well back at the trolley we found it was knocked from the tracks (same rollers??). We had to leave the boat for a day or two until they could repair it. Anyways at no time did I feel uncomfortable in our montauk. sr
jim_usa	posted 07-14-2003 08:45 PM ET (US) Sounds like some brave souls here. I was asking because in Ocean City, Maryland there's an inlet to the Atlantic that was looking pretty nastey the other day. My best estimate was 3 to 4 foot white topped waves just beyond the beach line that pounded some boats pretty good as they went out. The tide was going out too. Although I have seen some of those green jon boats heading through there in the past. So I guess if you know what you're doing it helps even if your boat is small.
whalerron	posted 07-14-2003 09:28 PM ET (US) jim, There was a guy in Ocean City, MD who used to go out 40 - 50 miles in his 13 footer. He only did it in good weather. He never worried about going out so far because there was always so much boat traffic running between OC and the Baltimore Canyon. It would be interesting to know how much gas he took with him. The OC inlet can be treacherous when the tide is running strong and the wind is blowing against the tide.
Draftmanswife	posted 07-14-2003 10:03 PM ET (US) The second Bouy, off Ponce Inlet, in my 13' was a real treat...
myotherboatisawhaler	posted 07-14-2003 10:41 PM ET (US) the live bait king mackeral fishing can be great during november around cape lookout shoals in north carolina. two friends and i took my friend's carolina classic out on a saturday and caught a limit of kings including two citations. being early in the day we came back in shore and promptly jiged a limit of nice grey trout. i couldn't wait to get up and go the next day! only problem was that my friend with the classic couldn't go and my albemarle was having engin trouble. on to plan b. i borrowed my brother in laws 18' outrage with a 20 year old 140 evenrude. ran through cape lookout shoals only to find that the warm water had moved off shore. after hitting some rather far and lonly spots such as the atlas tanker and chicken rocks we went back in shore and caught black bass and another limit of trout. all told i was 45 nauticle miles from the inlet. funny part is when i pulled up to the chicken rocks and started trolling there were two other boats fishing. happened to be one of my dock neighbors who did not recognise me in my brother in laws boat. you should have heard the trash they were talking about the idiot in that "little boat" that just pulled up. oh well!
roger8918	posted 07-14-2003 10:53 PM ET (US) Jim, I have a Montauk and have ventured out of the OC inlet on a few occasions. Mostly for a short cruse and always on a calm day. One problem is all of the summer boat traffic. On the weekend it can get a little crazy out there. Although I do see a lot of small boats fishing the inlet side of the jetty, I usually stick to the back bays. I have heard that since they extended the jetty last year it has gotten a little rougher to get in and out of.
Smallfrye	posted 07-15-2003 10:55 AM ET (US) We routinely ran several miles off shore in a Montauk, the 18OR was much dryer but was still small on a rough day. Both 22' (w/ &w/o WD�s) could handle 4' seas with ease and run as far out as was comfortable to my passengers. I'm now reworking a 20' Guardian and expect similar range to the 22's. The key is safety and power. If you have a good motor and good maintenance, one is enough. If your lazy and like to "launch and go", two motors are not enough. My handle " Smallfrye" was given by a couple of sport fisherman crews who were annoyed by my speed and maneuverability getting offshore. My 22OR was able to fish wherever they went at 10% of the cost and usually with more fish caught.
andygere	posted 07-15-2003 11:54 AM ET (US) I used to routinely run my '72 13 sport out of Nauset Inlet (on Cape Cod) to fish for blues and stripers up and down Nauset beach. I also used to take if from Rock Harbor in Orleans up to Provincetown and Race Point, which is a round trip of at least 50 miles, but not more that 3 or 4 miles offshore. But remember, it's not just the distance that matters, it's the conditions. Nauset Inlet on an incoming tide with afternoon offshores can get pretty hairy. I've seen much larger boats capsize and run aground on the tricky shoals there.
where2	posted 07-15-2003 12:31 PM ET (US) On the right day, you can run just about anything in the Atlantic. I remember in High School running my 10' Zodiac out the inlet and up the coast 3 miles to go snorkeling... I used to run the inlet in the Zodiac for fun when there were 4' swells coming in... Sometime between then and now, I have learned to avoid running the inlet when it looks uncomfortable on the outside. The most interesting thing I've done in the 15' Whaler was go out the inlet when there were 8-10' swells outside from a hurricane out off the Carolinas. Running on really tall swells spaced 300' apart is like driving the car through hilly country. I wouldn't have done it if the swells were tightly packed, or cresting....
gvisko	posted 07-15-2003 02:07 PM ET (US) Went 25 miles due south of Moriches inlet in my 18 outrage last weekend trolling for tuna with chiefmike58 had 4to5' seas it was a peice of cake. going again this weekend for sharks 25 to 30 miles out the hard part is to get past the inlet. one of the worst on the east coast thats why I sold my montauk. gvisko
Kingsteven18	posted 07-15-2003 02:18 PM ET (US) I used to take my 11' out of the inlet in Ft. Lauderdale. I've had submarines surface nearly under me (there was a torpedo practice/research range there) as well as aircraft carriers pass me by. Hammerheads would pass at least 1 1/2 times the lenght of my boat. Those were the days when I was young and reckless. Being a family man now, I would have to do it in my 13' !!
The Chesapeake Explorer	posted 07-15-2003 10:39 PM ET (US) I cross the Chesapeake Bay often in mid bay about 12 miles and I go out of OC Maryland and Va Beach about 10 miles. I have heard of people taking 17 ft. Montauks 50 miles out. I will pass! I guess if you have a real good feel for the weather it would be ok. As far as the OC inlet goes in Oct 2001 I almost rolled my Montauk there. At least 7 foot high going out and I ran the inlet as another big sportfisherman was coming in. stupid mistake (thats how it happens right!) The seas I could handle but when I was going up the wave his wake hit me from about 50 feet away and I started down the wave at a angle. ..Almost rolled close call. Two hours later I returned from the Ocean to change my pants and no problem at all coming in. It was a combination of the windy seas and the tide at the inlet that made the steep seas. From then on I will not run any inlet unless I am the only boat in or out in higher seas like 4 foot or so.
jim_usa	posted 07-15-2003 10:53 PM ET (US) Kingsteven18, it's good to see you've come to your senses about those small boats! lol Sounds like I'd need to keep a close eye on the weather and the tides, then shoot for a slot where no big boats are coming in that inlet. After the inlet, from what I'm hearing it could be smooth sailing. I expect to have a Dauntless 160 by September. I'd like to be able to go out the inlet and up the coast to Fenwick and wave to my wife on the beach.
Tom2697	posted 07-16-2003 12:22 PM ET (US) I was talking with my brother yesterday. He was talking to a friend of his about me going offshore with only one engine on my boat. With my new motor ('03 Suzuki 4-stroke) getting over 6 mpg and a 63 gallon tank, I can (but haven't so far) travel over 300 miles on one tank. When my brother told the guide that I've already been about 50 miles offshore in that boat (with seas building from 2-3' to 4-6' in the Gulf), the guide's response was: "That is too much range." I guess some people just don't understand Whalers....
15ftlover	posted 07-16-2003 03:39 PM ET (US) 15ft whaler (not a dry boat) 17miles off S.C. in very flat seas with weather radio on, lifejackets on, 6ft VHF antenna, and sea temp @80degress. Best answer to the question was given to me by local marina manager "the whaler can take more than you can".
jim_usa	posted 07-16-2003 07:31 PM ET (US) 15lover, thats what I'm thinking. The Whaler is unsinkable, but if you get tossed overboard, you better be a good swimmer or have on a life jacket. The boat will keep floating but you might not.
Beaner	posted 07-16-2003 09:15 PM ET (US) gvisko, I also fish the Moriches area. I have a 170 Montauk and have fished in the inlet but have not yet had the courage to go through (especially after those people in the 23 Grady got killed this year)! My question for you is did you ever take your Montauk through the inlet and if so what were the conditions like? I am much more the bay/North Shore fisherman, but wouldn't mind fishing the hole right outside of Moriches once in a while. Thanks.
gvisko	posted 07-16-2003 11:03 PM ET (US) Beaner you can do it just pick your days took mine out alot to the dredge hole dont mean to scare you. try to come back on incoming tide and just hug the east jetty plenty of water for your montauk see you out side. this weekend looks good for you. also try by the sea bouy been hot for fluke. george v.
Eric	posted 07-16-2003 11:32 PM ET (US) Twenty miles south of Big Pine Key in my 1962 Nauset 16. Came in with 4-5 foot seas, wet and rough ride, but still fun (with a wahoo in the cooler). Single Johnson 90 with 95 hours, two submersible VHFs (a handheld and a DSC console mount), sospenders pfd, appropriate signal gear (flares, smoke, dye pack, mirror, flag, strobe). Kept my kill switch on the entire trip, except when gaffing fish (motor in neutral). It got really nasty on the way in, rough enough to knock a chunk of glass out of the chine about half the size of my palm. I came off some of those waves like dropping four feet onto a parking lot! Most boats would have sunk, but I didn't even know it happened till I got home the next day and cleaned the boat. I need a more appropriate boat, so as much as I love this one, it'll get replaced with an outrage soon.
FISHNFF	posted 07-17-2003 01:22 AM ET (US) In my former 1981 13 Sport with a Yamaha 40/50, regularly did rockfish and salmon out of Pillar Point, furthest being about 18 miles from port. Knew of a retired cop who had a 13 Alert with a custom stand-up console and 1" 360 degree wrap around high SS rails who went everywhere. In my 17 Alert/Montauk, I'll do albacore runs from 35-62 miles. The 62 miles was from Seal Rocks to the top of the Guide Seamount. 169 miles on the GPS odometer that day! FISHNFF
SpeedBump	posted 07-18-2003 12:25 PM ET (US) I have taken my '68 classic 13' off shore through Barnegat inlet a good number of times but not far. When it was first rigged with a 25 Evenrude I would go out fishing to about the range bouy but was reluctant to shut the thing down. Several years later I upgraded to a 40 HP Yamaha, felt much more secure about both distance and conditions to go out in. For the most part I would just be a fair weather sailor out in the ocean in the 13'. Now that I have added 4 feet and 30 HP in my upgrade to a two year newer Nauset I would say I am almost fearless @ going through the inlet, regardless of the conditions..
ryanwhaler	posted 07-18-2003 06:16 PM ET (US) I've had my 11' three miles of the cost of Maine.
Kingsteven18	posted 07-18-2003 06:36 PM ET (US) I should be embarassed about this one, it's worse than my 11' / Ft. Laud. post. Down in Islamorada in the Fl. Keys, I was a couple of miles offshore in a square stern aluminum canoe!! I was only going to go into the backwater on the Gulf side that day, but the ocean was like glass. In no time flat, the sky got black and a waterspout (a tornado over water) was headed straight toward me. The waves picked up and between the wind and the current I couldn't get away from this thing. I thought I was in for some serious trouble when at the last minute, the skies cleared as quickly as the trouble had brewed. The lesson I learned? If you're going to act like an ass, at least do it in a Whaler, you won't be as scared!
Austin Wood	posted 07-18-2003 11:36 PM ET (US) My family has a small vacation house on South Andros Island in the Bahamas. Last summer we wanted to take our 13 Whaler to the house to leave it there so we would have a boat there when we visited. After getting shipping rates from several companies my brother and I decided to drive the boat there. We picked a calm day and went From The Miami inlet to Cat Cay, 43 miles across the Gulf Stream, then 61 miles to South Andros. Other than a sore bottom we had no problems. It wasnt the smartest thing we've ever done but why not.
jim_usa	posted 07-18-2003 11:46 PM ET (US) Austin, how many cans of gas did you have to load up with before you left?
Austin Wood	posted 07-18-2003 11:50 PM ET (US) We had 2-12 gallon fuel tanks and a 6 gallon gas can.
jimh	posted 07-19-2003 08:55 AM ET (US) [Administrative post]