As a captain who fishies multiple fishing license, this is a very informative video. Taking a few courses on boating will change the way you look at the seas and weather. ⛵️
I was a young man (long time ago), and a friend talked me into taking a 28' Whaler off the coast of Maine...quite a ways off...past the 12-mile. It was a beautiful, cloudless day...very light breeze...caught a bunch of blues that day...sun starts to go down, he says, 'maybe we should start heading in'...I agree...as the flat-to-1's had turned into 3-to-5's...and it started to cloud up as the winds started picking up. As we headed in, we seemed to be going 'nowhere'...just sitting still...little 40-hp motor running good...but landmarks just sat there...almost frozen. The waters became rougher-and-rougher...and before long, we're hitting 10' deep troughs...but we still seemed to be going nowhere... 2-hours into it...we had bow of spray on every wave...winds were 30-35, head-on...and it was now dark, with only awareness of a lighthouse for reference several miles away (before they decommissioned most of them). Before we reached the break, I had really become scared...I began worrying about running out of fuel...and he had already cut a joke about 'killing the motor, and floating to Portugal'...this did NOT sit well with me then, OR now... 3-1/2 hours from starting the motor, we came into the harbor...soaked, cold, and out of fuel (we actually ran out as we were about to tie off!)... I learned more in that one trip, than I ever did again in my life regarding the ocean, boats...and much like combat, never being in ANY confined location with someone braver (or crazier) than you... Of course, the list of 'what we did wrong' is monumental, in the retelling of what happened...and I was VERY lucky that day...for dozens of reasons. It only takes once, and you do a mental check of EVERYTHING about the weather, conditions, crewmates, vessel (and its capabilities), fuel, the works...and if you EVER feel uncomfortable about ANY POINT...just walk away...the ocean's been there a very long time. It will be there tomorrow, when you can find better craft, crew and conditions to make it a LOT less lethal to you to be there!
We took our 21 foot mako out many times when we shouldn't have. 5-7 footers a few times. It was rough but we did catch the Kings. We were young and confident. Today, I would sit it out till calmer conditions. I do have the experience, but I also have the smarts not to push my luck!
Very good video. He gives good advice on what features and equipment a good boat should have. One thing I did not hear him mention was bow flare. A properly designed deep V hull will have a very generous bow flare so as the boat come down off a wave, the water is dispersed to the sides and not straight up a lot ending up in the boat. I see so many poorly designed boats with little or no bow flare soaking passengers and filling the boat with water when the seas are unfriendly. If a boat does not have a large bow flare don't buy it. Also if you run an outboard, have a spare set of spark plugs and a coil along with some tools.
Semi displacement with a good amount of horsepower and a big prop is the way to go offshore with a power boat. Examples are Maine build crab boats and some pleasure boats. Also some Kasten designs. Look em up. I prefer steel and a semi displacement hull. Aluminum is tippy feeling and noisy, the best hull is a 3/8 inch steel hull..
That fuel idea and not relying on your gauge would have done me well. Met a buyer of my boat on the water. Figured I have an 8th tank. We can go 5 minutes and we'll trailer it up. As I aimed for the dock...there goes the 4.3 merc....dies. we float within 8ft of the dock. The buyer starts cupping the water...a 12 year old or so boy happen to see us. I tossed him our line and he actually tied us up to the cleats better and faster than I could. I pulled us in. He wanted to make sure that his boat ran out of fuel and nothing else wrong. He insisted he'll go get 5 g of gasoline. I stayed on the dock. He called me- locked his keys in his truck at the gas station. His wife was on his way. After 30 minutes I called him thinking his wife talked him out of buying my boat. He called me back saying he wife got in a serious car accident on the way to bring him his spare keys. He won't be coming back. 2 days passed and he called me. Said his wife will be ok. Minor injuries. I wanted memo boat sold and he still wanted to buy it...if it ran. I told him meet me at the dock. I had a full tank and took $500 off the price. He bought it. Few days later I saw him on the lake with his kids. Ok story time over.
High pressure stability. Forecast with no predicted change. Winds 5K all day. Knowledgeable captain and all appropriate safety gear and yeah it’s safe out there. Radar and/or Sirius weather app will help feel comfortable. It all just depends on the weather.
Just like with the military, know yourself and what you are capable of doing. Know your equipment and what it is capable of doing. Know what you are capable of doing while seeking to advance yourself.
If its going to happen, its going to happen in the inlet. What it is at 5 am leaving the inlet isn't what its going to be at 5 pm. Know your tides, prevailing winds and your inlets structure.
I took my 10 feet RIB inflatable dingy 20 miles back and forth between islands near Virgia Beach - no problem in ocean swell. The key is to have deep V with rigid floor to cut though the waves and chop, not a flat bottom floor :)
@@jacobgreen6939 in front of the boat you have a (nose) this is the highest part of the boat. This is were the boat comes to a point. At the back of the boat we call this the transom this is where the motor gets attached to the boat. So what happens in the ocean or wherever there is a strong current(strong moving water) you will see what appears like hills in the ocean this is called swells. Now as your boat climbs up and down the swells your boat is like a ramp in the ocean. So the highest part of your boat should be able to go over the swell easily as your boat is high and is able to climb up the swell. But if your transom faces the swell there is a chance the water rises above the back of the and takes on water. Hope this helps.
There is no real Answer to this. On flat days I take my flats boat Offshore 15 miles in a safe and responsible way. Amazing how many people would watch this.
@@humraz22 not familiar with that st johns river or the Atlantic. Just pay attention to the weather and read the current and the water. Always have a back up plan! Especially with a small boat
@@humraz22 On all but the flattest days, a 15 foot John boat is not suitable for operation in the Atlantic. Not familiar with St. Johns area, but most inlets in Florida will easily sink a boat like that on a calm day if you're not experienced and you are unlucky. You may get away with it, but that by no means indicates it is a good idea. Florida inlets are very nasty for most non- ocean designed boats.
I have just started the process of building a 27 foot Garvey ( a flat bottom design capable of handling a single 250hp Outboard) but will likely opt for a twin 90 or 100hp layout for it. Also instead of the normal transom of glassed over Plywood I will use a transom made entirely of Coosa Board to ensure that it is strong enough to handle the twin drive and will be almost impervious to Rot. I need to consult a marine mechanic and see if an outboard bracket is feasible. A 15ft Aluminum Jon Boat is a similar design to the Garvey but much more lightly built. Estimated displacement of the hull for the 27ft is upwards of 1750lbs with a full load displacement close to 7000 lbs. Those numbers will allow a 150 gallon fuel tank and allow the range needed for running offshore.... even though the boat will draw only around 8 to 10" for a transom mount, slightly more if a bracket is added as it will be slightly lower. I would be very hesitant to go anywhere offshore with a 15ft Jon Boat , too low a fretboard, little reserve bouyancy and a single engine of low HP leaves you a very slim safety margin. Safer to stick to calmer waters.
I listened to this all the way through. It was really good but the one thing that seems to be overlooked--and it always is, is to "maintain the through hull fittings". It is the number one cause of boats sinking. Sure, you can be well prepared for your boat sinking--sure, but isn't it better to prevent them from sinking? Do you know how many thru hulls you have and where they are? If it is an older boat, do you have a seacock installed--do you know what it is for? Do you work it every season, are you sure you know it has not frozen up? Think of them as "shutting off the main", just like what you would do if, at your home, if a water line burst in our kitchen, bath or garage. You run outside and shut off the main, right? Same thing here--and this was not mentioned. It's simple, but as water pours in--and no bilge pump/pumps can begin to keep up--that is no time to think about this, for the first time. This will NEVER happen, but even if it does happen, can you quickly reach in/over/through and turn the damn thing off? With mine, I need to lay flat on the deck--not that small a thing at my age--and pop off a hatch, reach through, but I have installed the Sea Cock Valve--I do know where it is--I do check it each season--and I can turn it off when/if water starts filling the deck--then my pumps can pump out the water while I head back in.
@@theboatguy9175 and thank you for dong the heavy lifting on this one, you covered a LOT of good ground, important stuff and great for me to review as I am at present getting my boat ready to FINALLY go out--in the ocean.
I used to run my old classic 21 Seacraft to the canyon's from Cape May NJ all the time years ago and to the Bahamas in the winter from the keys. I ran the hell out of the thing.The thing runs circles around most boats up to 30ft once it gets choppy out to this day. I got it for free from the original owner who actually raced it back in the day after it sunk at the dock. I was just helping to help out and learn what I can because the owner had been around and really knew his stuff. Plus he was a cool old guy with awesome stories. But he was almost 80 and decided it was time to get rid of it. I was still a senior in high school and even though it was swamped at the dock (power heads didn't go under) it was nothing I could afford. But he sold it to me for a dollar and a promise to not go and flip it while he was still alive. Best part of the deal was we'd go fishing every weekend and I learned a lot from him. We didn't hesitate to hit the canyon's and would run with the big boys offshore allover. It wasn't uncommon for me to run 150 miles from the inlet. It had a pair of old Merc 150's on a bracket and I ran them into the ground and I was buying a house so I sold it to my dad who hung his 250 Merc on it and we're still running it. But we don't run it as far with the single, although we're adding a 4 stroke kicker this winter for trolling and a emergency get home engine.
The one I was looking at had an upper bridge (with air screen), with I presume the same duel Volvo Penta engines and swing down stairs on the back? ;-)
Not just off shore! Here in Maine we have big lakes and miles from help same goes here as well!!!! I've been in both off shore in the northern Atlantic and in Maine's big lakes shit can and will happen fast!!!!
Alot of this is common sense but basically if your vessel is smaller than the ocean then your no match. There are countless seasoned captains laying at the bottom with their boats.
@@jacobgreen6939 Most serious boaters are not big fans of jetskiers, and not without good reason. At least until you capsize and a jetski is there to pull you out.
This is so Stupid. It’s Amazing people watch this. If you own a boat and need to watch this, sell the darn thing. The most common sense things gets the most views Lol smh
Surely depends on the boat. The first sailboat I owned cost me $700, a guy I met at the boatyard advised me not to take it out of San Francisco Bay. That one was 24'....then I upgraded to a 28' boat that was 'better'...but still not a good sea boat. After i sold it, the new owner sailed it down the coast to San Diego...and got lucky cause he made it there. THEN I spent 5 years building a Herreshoff schooner....it was a go anywhere boat, I did 50,000 miles with that one, survived a couple hurricanes (at anchor, yeh...but we were one of only two boats over 40' that survived...everyone else was on the beach) It much depends on the boat...and your personal experience. My last passage with the schooner was down the Oregon Coast, 60kt winds, fishing boats calling for the coast guard, the draggers we passed with their huge deck lights were coming over the tops of the waves hard enough you could see most of the bottom.....and we were just cruizing south, running pretty easy with it @ 8 and 9kts....about half the genoa poled out and the foresail with no reef. SO....it all depends on what ya got to work with. L. Francis Herreshoff designed one hell of an ocean cruising boat....back in 1945.
@@lucidfn1118 The Herreshoff Marco Polo design is 55' LOA and 10' beam...drawing 6'. Hull speed about 10kts.....our best 24 hours was 190miles, just under 8.4kts average....though at times we were over 9.
I've been boating for most of my 80 years. This is by far the most informative easiest to understand video I have ever seen in a short video. You probably have saved countless lives by posting this video... Thanks for posting...
You spot on about that , I’m looking at buying my first boat and was on the fence if I want a walk around or a center console 21-23ft I have a much better understanding of what I want now and what I need . I have driven a few boats but never had my own so I know this is uncharted waters for me and I am fully aware of the safety concerns of boat and captain . This video definitely gave me clarity on so many different issues with going off shore . This video definitely saves lives I can agree with that one
You didn’t know this already? It’s common sense for experienced boaters . Aluminum Pontoons and bow riders don’t belong entering or exiting floridas inlets! They all go to slow. If your going to do it, keep your bow high on the way out.
It’s all about how good you are and what’s your breaking point of being scared. I’m a commercial fisherman own a 50 foot Canadian built boat with high bow and 25 feet wide with 1450 hp Man diesel. I can handle just about most weather the North Atlantic throws at me, but there becomes a point when it gets really bad out blowing 50 sustain wind and seas 15 to 25 feet. It’s not safe going with the sea due to bow digging in and boat darts port or starboard making you beam to the sea and the next wave rolls you. Just turn around and jog into it, find your speed going against the wind and sea and you remain stationary and the waves won’t break over you. No matter how big your boat is have an epirb a hard shell life raft or a throwable bag life raft Make sure have AIS system it will give Coastgaurd a rough idea where you are at, if the epirb fails and even though there kinda pricey always carry a satellite phone. You can never have enough safety gear aboard the boat. It’s also a piece of mind insurance when it gets snotty and you say to yourself I’m all good I got more than enough safety gear and that will calm you down if it’s really bad. Always keep your hand on the throttle when running in heavy following seas and don’t be afraid to turn around and jog into it. Wait for a tide change and more so than often it will let go enough to boogie home around slack tide. And remember most boats will get you home if you keep your cool even though you filled your underwear with poop. Trust me I’ve done it it’s not a bad thing. Be safe people and trust what is said in this video it’s 100% correct. And never trust east or north east wind in winter and early spring even if weather man says it’s a good day. Just watch the horizon and look for the dark line coming at you, that’s the wind. Always remember that. We call them lying gales. Deadly if not prepared.
Best advice is to practice in messy conditions. Try your skills in rougher conditions inshore and nearshore. Learn your boat and how it handles. Gain confidence first. The ocean can be unforgiving so work up to it.
Best advice ever. I had to test my 12' aluminum 6hp in the channel many times before I felt ok to go out to the 5mi reef. Confidence for sure. Mother nature cares not.
To prevent a boat from going "down by the bow" a separate bilge pump in the front is required. I keep a third pump ready with long hoses and wires with alligator clips. A third battery is good. Buckets and hand pumps and a raft. EPIRB! If you are serious one for the boat that is mounted so it can escape and float and another for me on my life vest along with whistle and light. Wet suits,fins,mask and snorkel, hopefully for freeing tangled propellers and not for living in. Food and water to be adrift for weeks. I kept a container of protein powder and lots of water. PLUGS for through hulls and small leaks. Shove plastic bags or towels in huge holes from the outside and let water pressure force it into the crack to buy time for the pumps. If you are taking on water get the suit on. Be proactive jump in and try to plug the leak then BAIL like your life depended on it. If you can get on plane your boat will not take on water as fast and it will flow back keeping the bow up and aiding the pumps. Call distress on radio and cell before it gets bad. Have cell phone and radio. Be aware that water hidden under the floor of boats without pumps and alarms will rush to the bow as you try to desperately ride a swell into the channel. This can result in knifing the bow and rolling. Bail,check,repeat then follow the biggest set wave behind the peak and stay with it all the way in. Keep passengers off the bow and in the back third of the boat. Show all passengers how to use the radio and where all flares,rafts and other Safety Of Life At Sea equipment is and how to use it. Have a trusted first mate and designate before so the chain of command is secure if you are incapacitated. That's all I can think of for now but be sure there's more. The ocean is a harsh mistress.
I wreck fish offshore and am new to boating. I’m always reminded that it’s not just hunks of metal down there, it’s is also a cemetery of victims of the seas. Helps to keep me frosty and cautious. Great video!
Aviation and boating are similar in that the rule books are created by the blood and death of others. Stay safe. 95% of all accidents are pilot error. Or captain. Arrrrrrr!!
I was in that Florida Keys Thunderstorm in a Skiff. It was wet but fun. Had to keep our masks and snorkels on so we could see and breath. Luckily the boat is basically foam and fiberglass and the only real danger was the lightening.
Good video Twin motors, fuel tanks and electrical systems Auto pilot and auto bilge pumps 3. Have a fast boat that gets back quickly. Simple stuff. Cheers mike
There's 3 things that can realistically never be good/powerful/sturdy enough: Your autopilot, your bilge pumps, and your anchor. I've never heard anyone complain about how they could do with a less powerful autopilot, or a smaller anchor. Atleast not from serious boaters/sailors. Almost any autopilot will work perfectly in good conditions, but its when the going gets rough is when you judge an autopilot. Hand steering in a storm is no joke.
Having a DSC VHF with registered MMSI should always be aboard. A DSC alert will be picked up directly by the local USCG to get you help the quickest. EPIRP takes more time to get routed to the local USCG station. A distress triggered GPS attached DSC gives information on where you are, which way you are headed and how fast you are headed that way to the LOCAL USCG station. It can also can be polled by the local USCG to get that information if needs be. Triggering your DSC distress will trigger other DSC radios in you vicinity to assist you. Getting an MMSI is free from BoatUs and SeaTow but is only good in the US. For international travel get the MMSI from the FCC. Mark Fay MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E
@@theboatguy9175 yes I hold a US Merchant Marine Credential for Jr. Engineer, Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Able Seafarer Engineering, Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch. It stupefies me how ignorant the boating community is about their DSC VHF. I hear EPIRB, EPIRB, EPIRB RAH, RAH. If you go offshore beyond VHF range then an EPIRB is essential. If staying within VHF range of shore DSC VHF is preferable every time. EPIRB alerts are routed from the satellite ground station that picked up the alert through the bureaucracy to the regional Coast Guard headquarters and then finally to the local Coast Guard sector and that takes TIME in an emergency. Even triggering the VHF DSC out of range of shore is advisable with EPIRB as if one is able to close to shore range it will be picked up immediately. There seems to be a HUGE BLACK HOLE on what features and capabilities are built into every DSC VHF beyond push the button and BREAKER BREAKER GOOD BUDDY jaw jacking. Open the damn manual and READ you would be amazed. Now their is an idea for some videos. Mark Fay MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E RFPEW.
Rough seas will greatly increase your fuel consumption. I read a story about a group of fishermen who decided to make the run to Fort Jefferson from Key West. They had plenty of fuel for the ride, but seas were rougher than expected and they ended up stranded at the Fort. Turns out no one is really very interested in carrying hundreds of gallons of fuel to the Dry Tortugas! One of the crew was stuck there for several days.
And that is a reason I have just a old iron boat . 13.000kilo will help the boat stability and not plastic fantastic what can easy push away by a wave . Even mij fuel systeem have a auto cleaning system agains vlok from the diesel . Always have a clean fuel this way . No I can go from my country easy to a other country with no pain in head
In my country - all of these " reccomendations" are regulated by law. you have to have a certain bouyancy for a unsinkable boat, more than 1x motor, vhf radio, lots of safety equipment, yearly boat inspections etc
You can search on Google for Samsa, or South African Maritime safety association. Category R,E,D,C,B,A. From inshore lakes to 40NM offshore, for boats up to 30ft. More than this you need a different lisence, lifeboats etc
CE Seawothyness categorie A means a boat can take wind over 8 Beaforts and waves over 4m. (30 Knots, that is strong wind but nothing really heavy) Anything less should not took out offshore. The size mattes only a little. In europe this is a standard. Taking everything less is a human error and bad seamenship, even a A classified boat may not be enough for the ocean. Good video, a bit unbelieveble that such a video is nececary. Are there no needet licences in US to be allowed to go offshore or to drive a boat?😳
Apply the 40%/40%/20% rule. Go straight out until you have used 40% of your fuel. Then, use 40% getting back to shore. 20% is for hoping, not to paddle. 😮
what gets me is the number of people that say they would NEVER trust their boat on open ocean. Then take their boats out onto the great lakes, Ontario, superior, and such. alls fine till a storm rolls in, you get 15-30' waves, boats are vanishing in the troughs... 25 knot winds... pontoon boat in open ocean may be an extreme example but... pontoon boats are on the great lakes all the time... and get in huge trouble in storms.
To answer the title...till you run out of gas! Any boat can run half a tank out and half a tank back. The real question is...what size boat do I "NEED" to venture out X miles? I have seen boats under 30 feet over a thousand miles from shore, and I have seen people with 50'+ center consoles that won't go out 100 miles. Displacement hull boats do much better in blue water than planing hulls, unless you plan on chumming the water. I have personally spent many nights away from land in fairly small boats with no issue. Going out for a day...I would say most 20+ foot boats can easily handle 60 miles or more. I like comfort, so any time I go out in a boat, I want a generator, AC, a place to cook food, bathroom, etc, so I would choose just about anything over a center console.
Live on the Great Lakes. After you master winds and currents, there are no limitations to a Whaler. Trailered my 170 SS to Miami and made the crossing to the Bahamas with ease. Going back again in June.
Been out there crossing the atlantic. Only boat proper must be bluewater sailing boats.all other boats less than 40 meters better not try crossing longer seaways.😊
A 13 foot Boston Whaler is a reliable off shore boat with a reliable enough engine. You're fine as long as there are nearby vessels to assist in an emergency.
I guess thats why there is CE markings on boats in Europe. Category A - Ocean: covers largely self-sufficient boats designed for extended voyages with winds of over Beaufort Force 8 (over 40 knots), and significant wave heights above 13 feet, but excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes. Category B - Offshore: includes boats operating offshore with winds to 40 knots and significant seas to 13 feet. Category C - Inshore: is for boats operating in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds to Force 6, up to 27 knots, and significant seas 7 feet high. Category D - Inland or sheltered coastal waters: is for boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to Force 4 and significant wave heights to 18 inches.
And even that tell noting . Only that it can be it with a minimum. And funny about is that a en b are almost the same. It's more about in your in end out let of your heater or je air from the engine . Easy to adjust because it's just the minimum of the specs. So no even the EC nummer is nothing if the captain do not have the experience to go on open water.
Ya, I was wondering what the deal was with that. It was strange to have then side by side, and they didn't seem to be connected either, as they weren't turning together.
I took my 21’ boat offshore routinely 50 miles. Mostly by myself. Had a few close calls and went through many storms. I had an eprib onboard and a good radio. No cells back then.
A couple of mistakes; Pontoon Boats are displacement hulls ;they don't plane All of us who live on the coast of Florida know to expect T storms after 3:00PM Florida Bay is a shallow body of water and when the weather turns to crud ,shallow water waves are harder to negotiate than deep water waves The Boat Guy completely neglected the dangers of entering narrow inlets in bad weather I have personally seen Hurricane Pass FL go from a dead calm to 5' seas in < 20 minutes In that situation a boater would be safer remaining offshore until the weather clears
The audio is very sensible. The video is bizarre. Illustrating a VHF radio with a shot of a cellphone? A bow shot to illustrate an upgraded or backup bilge pump?
For me number one rule is Know your boat!, and do not go even beyond the gulf to open seas with less then 10 meter boat and second always lower speed when caught in storm and waves... Dont go straight to waves with so much speed! When a big wave is coming to you do not take the wave from sides of the boat! Or you gonna get capsized and suddenly you will find your self in water in no time! And always have life jackets on boat for all passengers. All life jackets must be stored on boat where accesible easily, and check the Weather with apps like Windy
Who tf would takes pontoon boat with a potential storm coming with 30 knot winds? I don’t know anyone that crazy, check the weather before you head out, pretty simple. Otherwise some ok advice on here.
Good content, but why is a he all the time, their are many great females Captains and regular everyday moms mum's etc. Could the writer have written them, their, I know those words have a couple of extra letters but, We us Females are out there.🤣
I take a small speed boat to ocean! Lol when i got fishing like 2 miles out from shore. Sometimes seas are rough but small boat takes it good. Even at hugher speedz since its wide, it doesnt boumch like those big ones meant for ocean
Depending on where you are, taking a small boat 2 miles out is about as far as you can safely go. You can still see the shore, and in good weather everything's great. If a storm rolled in and you had engine trouble, you might find yourself in trouble.
Well my offshore limitations are governed by how far I'm insured offshore. Just bought a 25' fishing boat, my policy for now only covers me for 50 miles off shore. If I wanted more offshore coverage, the yearly premiums would be double. So' for now, enjoy my boat and enjoy my 50 mile leash.
I'd bet insurance companies have information about every type of boat and every accident they're involved in. If they set your limit at 50 miles that might be the magic number.
The worse are people that see a boat as a drinking floating bar…. The sea, lake, and river can all test a marine to the death…. Learn your ship, this is not a bar, it’s a lifestyle…
I have a very simple answer here, You can go far as the weather allows, You can go as far as your fuel can take you, most importantly you can go far as the helicopters fuel can take you back. I shoot you not I was 15 mi offshore fishing and a pontoon boat came putting by me asking where the fish were.
I sailed on a Frigate and a Destroyer over the course of 5 years. I can say with great certainty, your boat is never big enough.
"You're gonna need a bigger boat," suggested Chief Brody. lmao
Yep.
Unless it's a submarine.
@@TERMIN8TOR99 - BIGGER is better with submarines as well.
@@petersouthernboy6327 at 400 feet you dont feel much😁
As a captain who fishies multiple fishing license, this is a very informative video. Taking a few courses on boating will change the way you look at the seas and weather. ⛵️
Glad it was helpful!
I was a young man (long time ago), and a friend talked me into taking a 28' Whaler off the coast of Maine...quite a ways off...past the 12-mile. It was a beautiful, cloudless day...very light breeze...caught a bunch of blues that day...sun starts to go down, he says, 'maybe we should start heading in'...I agree...as the flat-to-1's had turned into 3-to-5's...and it started to cloud up as the winds started picking up.
As we headed in, we seemed to be going 'nowhere'...just sitting still...little 40-hp motor running good...but landmarks just sat there...almost frozen. The waters became rougher-and-rougher...and before long, we're hitting 10' deep troughs...but we still seemed to be going nowhere...
2-hours into it...we had bow of spray on every wave...winds were 30-35, head-on...and it was now dark, with only awareness of a lighthouse for reference several miles away (before they decommissioned most of them).
Before we reached the break, I had really become scared...I began worrying about running out of fuel...and he had already cut a joke about 'killing the motor, and floating to Portugal'...this did NOT sit well with me then, OR now...
3-1/2 hours from starting the motor, we came into the harbor...soaked, cold, and out of fuel (we actually ran out as we were about to tie off!)...
I learned more in that one trip, than I ever did again in my life regarding the ocean, boats...and much like combat, never being in ANY confined location with someone braver (or crazier) than you...
Of course, the list of 'what we did wrong' is monumental, in the retelling of what happened...and I was VERY lucky that day...for dozens of reasons. It only takes once, and you do a mental check of EVERYTHING about the weather, conditions, crewmates, vessel (and its capabilities), fuel, the works...and if you EVER feel uncomfortable about ANY POINT...just walk away...the ocean's been there a very long time. It will be there tomorrow, when you can find better craft, crew and conditions to make it a LOT less lethal to you to be there!
I have a kayak I don't know why im here 😂.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH..... that got me !!
@@vegasraised3970 sometimes I like to pretend it's a midnight express with quad 400's though.
Don't underestimate it. Kayaks are very versatile.
I have a 14-footer with only a trolling motor, and a canoe. I'm here because I have hope for the future.
that was hilarious!!!
We took our 21 foot mako out many times when we shouldn't have. 5-7 footers a few times. It was rough but we did catch the Kings. We were young and confident. Today, I would sit it out till calmer conditions. I do have the experience, but I also have the smarts not to push my luck!
There's no better teacher than experience.
Very good video. He gives good advice on what features and equipment a good boat should have. One thing I did not hear him mention was bow flare. A properly designed deep V hull will have a very generous bow flare so as the boat come down off a wave, the water is dispersed to the sides and not straight up a lot ending up in the boat. I see so many poorly designed boats with little or no bow flare soaking passengers and filling the boat with water when the seas are unfriendly. If a boat does not have a large bow flare don't buy it. Also if you run an outboard, have a spare set of spark plugs and a coil along with some tools.
Thanks for the feedback and the great tips.
The real question is not how far you can go out but can you get back.
Very true of most expeditions on land and water. Leaving is the easiest part.
I'm thinking about getting a 20 plus center consoles.Great info,thanks ! 👍🤙
Go for it!
Watching this I have figured out that it's not the boat that is not sea worthy but it's me. It's safe to say I am better off on shore.
The captain is the most important part of safety.
Semi displacement with a good amount of horsepower and a big prop is the way to go offshore with a power boat. Examples are Maine build crab boats and some pleasure boats. Also some Kasten designs. Look em up. I prefer steel and a semi displacement hull. Aluminum is tippy feeling and noisy, the best hull is a 3/8 inch steel hull..
Thanks for the great info
That fuel idea and not relying on your gauge would have done me well. Met a buyer of my boat on the water. Figured I have an 8th tank. We can go 5 minutes and we'll trailer it up. As I aimed for the dock...there goes the 4.3 merc....dies. we float within 8ft of the dock. The buyer starts cupping the water...a 12 year old or so boy happen to see us. I tossed him our line and he actually tied us up to the cleats better and faster than I could. I pulled us in.
He wanted to make sure that his boat ran out of fuel and nothing else wrong. He insisted he'll go get 5 g of gasoline. I stayed on the dock. He called me- locked his keys in his truck at the gas station. His wife was on his way.
After 30 minutes I called him thinking his wife talked him out of buying my boat. He called me back saying he wife got in a serious car accident on the way to bring him his spare keys. He won't be coming back.
2 days passed and he called me. Said his wife will be ok. Minor injuries. I wanted memo boat sold and he still wanted to buy it...if it ran. I told him meet me at the dock.
I had a full tank and took $500 off the price.
He bought it. Few days later I saw him on the lake with his kids.
Ok story time over.
Glad everything worked out OK
High pressure stability. Forecast with no predicted change. Winds 5K all day. Knowledgeable captain and all appropriate safety gear and yeah it’s safe out there. Radar and/or Sirius weather app will help feel comfortable. It all just depends on the weather.
Thanks for sharing
Just like with the military, know yourself and what you are capable of doing. Know your equipment and what it is capable of doing. Know what you are capable of doing while seeking to advance yourself.
Spoken like a true sailor
If its going to happen, its going to happen in the inlet.
What it is at 5 am leaving the inlet isn't what its going to be at 5 pm.
Know your tides, prevailing winds and your inlets structure.
Excellent advice!
This was a fun video, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I took my 10 feet RIB inflatable dingy 20 miles back and forth between islands near Virgia Beach - no problem in ocean swell. The key is to have deep V with rigid floor to cut though the waves and chop, not a flat bottom floor :)
Yes and don't make the stupid mistake of not thinking and having your transom towards the swell.
@@introsforyou9625 I'm new to boating what does this mean?
@@jacobgreen6939 in front of the boat you have a (nose) this is the highest part of the boat. This is were the boat comes to a point. At the back of the boat we call this the transom this is where the motor gets attached to the boat. So what happens in the ocean or wherever there is a strong current(strong moving water) you will see what appears like hills in the ocean this is called swells. Now as your boat climbs up and down the swells your boat is like a ramp in the ocean. So the highest part of your boat should be able to go over the swell easily as your boat is high and is able to climb up the swell. But if your transom faces the swell there is a chance the water rises above the back of the and takes on water. Hope this helps.
@@introsforyou9625 thank you
There is no real Answer to this. On flat days I take my flats boat Offshore 15 miles in a safe and responsible way. Amazing how many people would watch this.
Thanks.
my 15ft jon boat is sea worthy, take it offshore in the gulf of Mexico all the time 🤘
Do you think a 15ft john boat is ok for st.johns river & 1-5 miles out in the atlantic? Will be first time boat owner God Willing!!
@@humraz22 not familiar with that st johns river or the Atlantic. Just pay attention to the weather and read the current and the water. Always have a back up plan! Especially with a small boat
@@humraz22 On all but the flattest days, a 15 foot John boat is not suitable for operation in the Atlantic. Not familiar with St. Johns area, but most inlets in Florida will easily sink a boat like that on a calm day if you're not experienced and you are unlucky. You may get away with it, but that by no means indicates it is a good idea. Florida inlets are very nasty for most non- ocean designed boats.
I have just started the process of building a 27 foot Garvey ( a flat bottom design capable of handling a single 250hp Outboard) but will likely opt for a twin 90 or 100hp layout for it. Also instead of the normal transom of glassed over Plywood I will use a transom made entirely of Coosa Board to ensure that it is strong enough to handle the twin drive and will be almost impervious to Rot. I need to consult a marine mechanic and see if an outboard bracket is feasible. A 15ft Aluminum Jon Boat is a similar design to the Garvey but much more lightly built. Estimated displacement of the hull for the 27ft is upwards of 1750lbs with a full load displacement close to 7000 lbs. Those numbers will allow a 150 gallon fuel tank and allow the range needed for running offshore.... even though the boat will draw only around 8 to 10" for a transom mount, slightly more if a bracket is added as it will be slightly lower. I would be very hesitant to go anywhere offshore with a 15ft Jon Boat , too low a fretboard, little reserve bouyancy and a single engine of low HP leaves you a very slim safety margin. Safer to stick to calmer waters.
I listened to this all the way through. It was really good but the one thing that seems to be overlooked--and it always is, is to "maintain the through hull fittings". It is the number one cause of boats sinking. Sure, you can be well prepared for your boat sinking--sure, but isn't it better to prevent them from sinking? Do you know how many thru hulls you have and where they are? If it is an older boat, do you have a seacock installed--do you know what it is for? Do you work it every season, are you sure you know it has not frozen up? Think of them as "shutting off the main", just like what you would do if, at your home, if a water line burst in our kitchen, bath or garage. You run outside and shut off the main, right? Same thing here--and this was not mentioned. It's simple, but as water pours in--and no bilge pump/pumps can begin to keep up--that is no time to think about this, for the first time. This will NEVER happen, but even if it does happen, can you quickly reach in/over/through and turn the damn thing off? With mine, I need to lay flat on the deck--not that small a thing at my age--and pop off a hatch, reach through, but I have installed the Sea Cock Valve--I do know where it is--I do check it each season--and I can turn it off when/if water starts filling the deck--then my pumps can pump out the water while I head back in.
Great point. I'll add it to the next video!
@@theboatguy9175 and thank you for dong the heavy lifting on this one, you covered a LOT of good ground, important stuff and great for me to review as I am at present getting my boat ready to FINALLY go out--in the ocean.
"how much gas can you fit on your boat" end of story.. been 80+ offshore in a 18' also "how big are your balzz"
I used to run my old classic 21 Seacraft to the canyon's from Cape May NJ all the time years ago and to the Bahamas in the winter from the keys. I ran the hell out of the thing.The thing runs circles around most boats up to 30ft once it gets choppy out to this day.
I got it for free from the original owner who actually raced it back in the day after it sunk at the dock. I was just helping to help out and learn what I can because the owner had been around and really knew his stuff. Plus he was a cool old guy with awesome stories. But he was almost 80 and decided it was time to get rid of it. I was still a senior in high school and even though it was swamped at the dock (power heads didn't go under) it was nothing I could afford. But he sold it to me for a dollar and a promise to not go and flip it while he was still alive. Best part of the deal was we'd go fishing every weekend and I learned a lot from him. We didn't hesitate to hit the canyon's and would run with the big boys offshore allover. It wasn't uncommon for me to run 150 miles from the inlet.
It had a pair of old Merc 150's on a bracket and I ran them into the ground and I was buying a house so I sold it to my dad who hung his 250 Merc on it and we're still running it. But we don't run it as far with the single, although we're adding a 4 stroke kicker this winter for trolling and a emergency get home engine.
Great story!
This says logical things, but the use of shutter stock could have been more cordinated
Sinking is fine if you can pump water out faster than in comes in.
HAHA. Thanks!
Good info, thanks for posting.
Glad it was helpful!
At 10:40; That looks like a "SeaCabin", like one I almost got decades ago. ;-)
Small world!
The one I was looking at had an upper bridge (with air screen), with I presume the same duel Volvo Penta engines and swing down stairs on the back? ;-)
Not just off shore! Here in Maine we have big lakes and miles from help same goes here as well!!!! I've been in both off shore in the northern Atlantic and in Maine's big lakes shit can and will happen fast!!!!
You make a good point - we shouldn't underestimate the risks of boating on big lakes. Thanks for the reminder.
Fantastic video! 👍
Thank you very much!
Alot of this is common sense but basically if your vessel is smaller than the ocean then your no match. There are countless seasoned captains laying at the bottom with their boats.
Very true. Caution is a virtue when it comes to sailing.
Thanks tip sailed
Glad it helped
90% of accidents are caused by human mistakes? I'm thinking 99% :)
Good point.
Moral of the story.. don't bring a pontoon boat on rough seas..
* don't bring a pontoon boat out on the Ocean.
Great information..
Thanks for the feedback
A third out a third back and a third just in case fuel rule
Jeremy from Jersey just subscribed
Thanks, Jeremy
Great info
What's considered a small boat like 30ft and less or what?
There's no official definition of a small craft. Most of the captains I know consider anything under 65 feet to be "small".
good
Thanks for the positive feedback
Well done Skipper
Thanks
I like to go jetskiing in big waves, guess I am just dumb....
@ your the obnoxious one.
@@jacobgreen6939 Most serious boaters are not big fans of jetskiers, and not without good reason. At least until you capsize and a jetski is there to pull you out.
Check the weather and
If in doubt don't go out
I find the biggest issue out on the open water is the weather. Great comment.
I find what I'm out in the water it's ballast vs. beam when you are a drift, broadside to the slop
How far offshore can you take your boat? As far as it will run until you run out of gas!
Good point!!!
Know your wheather report or stay home.
Weather is one of the biggest risk factors. Thanks!
Can only go 1/2 tank!
Your answer is probably the best one anyone has suggested.
This is so Stupid.
It’s Amazing people watch this. If you own a boat and need to watch this, sell the darn thing. The most common sense things gets the most views Lol smh
💪😎🇺🇲
That might change my decision about how far offshore I can take my boat!
The only advice I have is; remember, on or in the ocean you are no longer on top of the food chain. You are the prey.
Words to live by.
Surely depends on the boat. The first sailboat I owned cost me $700, a guy I met at the boatyard advised me not to take it out of San Francisco Bay. That one was 24'....then I upgraded to a 28' boat that was 'better'...but still not a good sea boat. After i sold it, the new owner sailed it down the coast to San Diego...and got lucky cause he made it there. THEN I spent 5 years building a Herreshoff schooner....it was a go anywhere boat, I did 50,000 miles with that one, survived a couple hurricanes (at anchor, yeh...but we were one of only two boats over 40' that survived...everyone else was on the beach) It much depends on the boat...and your personal experience. My last passage with the schooner was down the Oregon Coast, 60kt winds, fishing boats calling for the coast guard, the draggers we passed with their huge deck lights were coming over the tops of the waves hard enough you could see most of the bottom.....and we were just cruizing south, running pretty easy with it @ 8 and 9kts....about half the genoa poled out and the foresail with no reef. SO....it all depends on what ya got to work with. L. Francis Herreshoff designed one hell of an ocean cruising boat....back in 1945.
@James Braselton The lights are on, but no one is home.
What size boat was it ?
@@lucidfn1118 The Herreshoff Marco Polo design is 55' LOA and 10' beam...drawing 6'. Hull speed about 10kts.....our best 24 hours was 190miles, just under 8.4kts average....though at times we were over 9.
I've been boating for most of my 80 years. This is by far the most informative easiest to understand video I have ever seen in a short video. You probably have saved countless lives by posting this video... Thanks for posting...
I couldn't agree more.
Glad it was helpful!
You spot on about that , I’m looking at buying my first boat and was on the fence if I want a walk around or a center console 21-23ft I have a much better understanding of what I want now and what I need . I have driven a few boats but never had my own so I know this is uncharted waters for me and I am fully aware of the safety concerns of boat and captain . This video definitely gave me clarity on so many different issues with going off shore . This video definitely saves lives I can agree with that one
You didn’t know this already? It’s common sense for experienced boaters . Aluminum Pontoons and bow riders don’t belong entering or exiting floridas inlets! They all go to slow. If your going to do it, keep your bow high on the way out.
@@anthonymannarino3376 I was trying to be polite LOL thanks for taking the time to respond
It’s all about how good you are and what’s your breaking point of being scared. I’m a commercial fisherman own a 50 foot Canadian built boat with high bow and 25 feet wide with 1450 hp Man diesel. I can handle just about most weather the North Atlantic throws at me, but there becomes a point when it gets really bad out blowing 50 sustain wind and seas 15 to 25 feet. It’s not safe going with the sea due to bow digging in and boat darts port or starboard making you beam to the sea and the next wave rolls you. Just turn around and jog into it, find your speed going against the wind and sea and you remain stationary and the waves won’t break over you. No matter how big your boat is have an epirb a hard shell life raft or a throwable bag life raft Make sure have AIS system it will give Coastgaurd a rough idea where you are at, if the epirb fails and even though there kinda pricey always carry a satellite phone. You can never have enough safety gear aboard the boat. It’s also a piece of mind insurance when it gets snotty and you say to yourself I’m all good I got more than enough safety gear and that will calm you down if it’s really bad. Always keep your hand on the throttle when running in heavy following seas and don’t be afraid to turn around and jog into it. Wait for a tide change and more so than often it will let go enough to boogie home around slack tide. And remember most boats will get you home if you keep your cool even though you filled your underwear with poop. Trust me I’ve done it it’s not a bad thing. Be safe people and trust what is said in this video it’s 100% correct. And never trust east or north east wind in winter and early spring even if weather man says it’s a good day. Just watch the horizon and look for the dark line coming at you, that’s the wind. Always remember that. We call them lying gales. Deadly if not prepared.
Man this really helped. Thank you.
Great advice!
I'm guessing this ain't your first rodeo.
@kaseem abdullah a very large boat at minimum and a good crew. It's not a 2 man job
I'd love to do such a trip someday too
@kaseem abdullah with the tight captain I'm sure it can be done smaller, but if you have the $ bigger is better.
Best advice is to practice in messy conditions. Try your skills in rougher conditions inshore and nearshore. Learn your boat and how it handles. Gain confidence first. The ocean can be unforgiving so work up to it.
Great point!
Best advice ever. I had to test my 12' aluminum 6hp in the channel many times before I felt ok to go out to the 5mi reef. Confidence for sure. Mother nature cares not.
I like the confirmation of thought. 👍
So we all really going to pretend like that girl didn't just fire that confetti canon in that dudes face??? LMFAO 6:29
I had to watch it a few times but damn that could've hurt. They were talking about first aid... lol...
It def got in his eyes
And the award for attention to detail and situational awareness goes to... :-)
😆 AYOOOOOO !!!! did he upload the wrong flare video for safety or what 😆
To prevent a boat from going "down by the bow" a separate bilge pump in the front is required. I keep a third pump ready with long hoses and wires with alligator clips.
A third battery is good. Buckets and hand pumps and a raft.
EPIRB! If you are serious one for the boat that is mounted so it can escape and float and another for me on my life vest along with whistle and light.
Wet suits,fins,mask and snorkel, hopefully for freeing tangled propellers and not for living in.
Food and water to be adrift for weeks. I kept a container of protein powder and lots of water.
PLUGS for through hulls and small leaks.
Shove plastic bags or towels in huge holes from the outside and let water pressure force it into the crack to buy time for the pumps.
If you are taking on water get the suit on. Be proactive jump in and try to plug the leak then BAIL like your life depended on it.
If you can get on plane your boat will not take on water as fast and it will flow back keeping the bow up and aiding the pumps.
Call distress on radio and cell before it gets bad. Have cell phone and radio.
Be aware that water hidden under the floor of boats without pumps and alarms will rush to the bow as you try to desperately ride a swell into the channel. This can result in knifing the bow and rolling.
Bail,check,repeat then follow the biggest set wave behind the peak and stay with it all the way in.
Keep passengers off the bow and in the back third of the boat.
Show all passengers how to use the radio and where all flares,rafts and other Safety Of Life At Sea equipment is and how to use it.
Have a trusted first mate and designate before so the chain of command is secure if you are incapacitated.
That's all I can think of for now but be sure there's more.
The ocean is a harsh mistress.
A serious boater! Being prepared is the key.
I wreck fish offshore and am new to boating. I’m always reminded that it’s not just hunks of metal down there, it’s is also a cemetery of victims of the seas. Helps to keep me frosty and cautious. Great video!
Aviation and boating are similar in that the rule books are created by the blood and death of others. Stay safe. 95% of all accidents are pilot error. Or captain. Arrrrrrr!!
Years ago while there were , Small craft warnings out and I ask an old Salt what they considered a small craft. He replied,( anything you can afford).
Every old salt I know is able to answer these difficult questions in a few simple words.
I was in that Florida Keys Thunderstorm in a Skiff. It was wet but fun. Had to keep our masks and snorkels on so we could see and breath. Luckily the boat is basically foam and fiberglass and the only real danger was the lightening.
I spent a lot of time in the Keys, too. Some of the storms down there can be exciting.
Boat safety win, fireworks safety fail, that chick launched one of those party confetti poppers right in that dude's face lol
It made me laugh, too.
Good video
Twin motors, fuel tanks and electrical systems
Auto pilot and auto bilge pumps 3.
Have a fast boat that gets back quickly.
Simple stuff.
Cheers mike
Thanks for the tips!
There's 3 things that can realistically never be good/powerful/sturdy enough: Your autopilot, your bilge pumps, and your anchor. I've never heard anyone complain about how they could do with a less powerful autopilot, or a smaller anchor. Atleast not from serious boaters/sailors. Almost any autopilot will work perfectly in good conditions, but its when the going gets rough is when you judge an autopilot. Hand steering in a storm is no joke.
"possibility of thunderstorms". Welcome to SE Asia, 365 days of the year.
Great point. Sounds like you're better prepared for bad weather than I am.
When the situation is questionable, a good captain could make it work but a great captain knows not to try.
Words of wisdom...
@@theboatguy9175 Thank you! There are old captains and there are bold captains, but there are no old bold captains.
@@Voodoo350R that saying is a panacea for all dangerous activities.
Having a DSC VHF with registered MMSI should always be aboard. A DSC alert will be picked up directly by the local USCG to get you help the quickest. EPIRP takes more time to get routed to the local USCG station. A distress triggered GPS attached DSC gives information on where you are, which way you are headed and how fast you are headed that way to the LOCAL USCG station. It can also can be polled by the local USCG to get that information if needs be. Triggering your DSC distress will trigger other DSC radios in you vicinity to assist you. Getting an MMSI is free from BoatUs and SeaTow but is only good in the US. For international travel get the MMSI from the FCC.
Mark Fay MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E
Karen - thanks for the great information. It's obvious you've spent a lot of time on the water.
@@theboatguy9175 yes I hold a US Merchant Marine Credential for Jr. Engineer, Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Able Seafarer Engineering, Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch. It stupefies me how ignorant the boating community is about their DSC VHF. I hear EPIRB, EPIRB, EPIRB RAH, RAH. If you go offshore beyond VHF range then an EPIRB is essential. If staying within VHF range of shore DSC VHF is preferable every time. EPIRB alerts are routed from the satellite ground station that picked up the alert through the bureaucracy to the regional Coast Guard headquarters and then finally to the local Coast Guard sector and that takes TIME in an emergency. Even triggering the VHF DSC out of range of shore is advisable with EPIRB as if one is able to close to shore range it will be picked up immediately. There seems to be a HUGE BLACK HOLE on what features and capabilities are built into every DSC VHF beyond push the button and BREAKER BREAKER GOOD BUDDY jaw jacking. Open the damn manual and READ you would be amazed. Now their is an idea for some videos.
Mark Fay MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E RFPEW.
Rough seas will greatly increase your fuel consumption. I read a story about a group of fishermen who decided to make the run to Fort Jefferson from Key West. They had plenty of fuel for the ride, but seas were rougher than expected and they ended up stranded at the Fort. Turns out no one is really very interested in carrying hundreds of gallons of fuel to the Dry Tortugas! One of the crew was stuck there for several days.
Great point - we should factor in sea conditions when we're estimating fuel usage.
Yup that is a 70 mile run one way. A good captain will figure 1/3 tank each way plus 1/3 tank back up for unseens.
If you have to ask the question! The answer is boat and skipper are not seaworthy!
Great point!
THANK YOU ! This is an excellent video. Even though a reasonably experienced skipper, it's great to refresh on safety. Great job here 👏. 🇬🇧
And that is a reason I have just a old iron boat . 13.000kilo will help the boat stability and not plastic fantastic what can easy push away by a wave .
Even mij fuel systeem have a auto cleaning system agains vlok from the diesel .
Always have a clean fuel this way .
No I can go from my country easy to a other country with no pain in head
One third out, a third home and last third reserve.
Keep it simple. Great strategy!
In my country - all of these " reccomendations" are regulated by law. you have to have a certain bouyancy for a unsinkable boat, more than 1x motor, vhf radio, lots of safety equipment, yearly boat inspections etc
That sounds like a reasonable approach. Where do you live?
South Africa
You can search on Google for Samsa, or South African Maritime safety association. Category R,E,D,C,B,A. From inshore lakes to 40NM offshore, for boats up to 30ft. More than this you need a different lisence, lifeboats etc
CE Seawothyness categorie A means a boat can take wind over 8 Beaforts and waves over 4m. (30 Knots, that is strong wind but nothing really heavy) Anything less should not took out offshore. The size mattes only a little. In europe this is a standard. Taking everything less is a human error and bad seamenship, even a A classified boat may not be enough for the ocean.
Good video, a bit unbelieveble that such a video is nececary. Are there no needet licences in US to be allowed to go offshore or to drive a boat?😳
Apply the 40%/40%/20% rule. Go straight out until you have used 40% of your fuel. Then, use 40% getting back to shore.
20% is for hoping, not to paddle. 😮
what gets me is the number of people that say they would NEVER trust their boat on open ocean. Then take their boats out onto the great lakes, Ontario, superior, and such. alls fine till a storm rolls in, you get 15-30' waves, boats are vanishing in the troughs... 25 knot winds...
pontoon boat in open ocean may be an extreme example but... pontoon boats are on the great lakes all the time... and get in huge trouble in storms.
As far as you like. If you want to come back.... different story.
To answer the title...till you run out of gas!
Any boat can run half a tank out and half a tank back. The real question is...what size boat do I "NEED" to venture out X miles?
I have seen boats under 30 feet over a thousand miles from shore, and I have seen people with 50'+ center consoles that won't go out 100 miles.
Displacement hull boats do much better in blue water than planing hulls, unless you plan on chumming the water. I have personally spent many nights away from land in fairly small boats with no issue. Going out for a day...I would say most 20+ foot boats can easily handle 60 miles or more.
I like comfort, so any time I go out in a boat, I want a generator, AC, a place to cook food, bathroom, etc, so I would choose just about anything over a center console.
“Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore.”
― Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth
Live on the Great Lakes. After you master winds and currents, there are no limitations to a Whaler. Trailered my 170 SS to Miami and made the crossing to the Bahamas with ease. Going back again in June.
More boats have sunk on the Great Lakes than most people realize.
@@theboatguy9175 And some big ones as well.
Actually the real quote is "if anythings gonna' happen, its gonna happen out there". Let's not dishonor Ron Rico now come on!
Been out there crossing the atlantic. Only boat proper must be bluewater sailing boats.all other boats less than 40 meters better not try crossing longer seaways.😊
I took my kayak from Long Island to the Outer Banks so you can definitely go anywhere in a motorized boat
A 13 foot Boston Whaler is a reliable off shore boat with a reliable enough engine. You're fine as long as there are nearby vessels to assist in an emergency.
I never heard of fiberglass being flammable if anything fiberglass is a flame retardant which is used for fireproofing.
Can boaters file
a float plan?
Pilots file a flight plan
with the fss.
It seems boaters could
do the same.
Thank you so much . This is so informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Everything heads South during a drinking/fishing party offshore.☹️
Can't argue with that.
As far out as you think you can come back from!!!! How big are your BALLS !!!
Would a firearm be a good idea? There are some dangerous people floating about these days!
I guess thats why there is CE markings on boats in Europe.
Category A - Ocean: covers largely self-sufficient boats designed for extended voyages with winds of over Beaufort Force 8 (over 40 knots), and significant wave heights above 13 feet, but excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes.
Category B - Offshore: includes boats operating offshore with winds to 40 knots and significant seas to 13 feet.
Category C - Inshore: is for boats operating in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds to Force 6, up to 27 knots, and significant seas 7 feet high.
Category D - Inland or sheltered coastal waters: is for boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to Force 4 and significant wave heights to 18 inches.
And even that tell noting .
Only that it can be it with a minimum.
And funny about is that a en b are almost the same.
It's more about in your in end out let of your heater or je air from the engine .
Easy to adjust because it's just the minimum of the specs.
So no even the EC nummer is nothing if the captain do not have the experience to go on open water.
"If its gonna happen, its gonna happen out there" Actually, it was Captain Ron.
Watch the movie the characters name is ron rico
what was that boat with two steering wheels at 4:25
Ya, I was wondering what the deal was with that. It was strange to have then side by side, and they didn't seem to be connected either, as they weren't turning together.
I'm building and Design and it's a steep learning curve. I forgot I'm becoming a capital XD
I took my 21’ boat offshore routinely 50 miles. Mostly by myself. Had a few close calls and went through many storms. I had an eprib onboard and a good radio. No cells back then.
Wow!
A couple of mistakes;
Pontoon Boats are displacement hulls ;they don't plane
All of us who live on the coast of Florida know to expect T storms after 3:00PM
Florida Bay is a shallow body of water and when the weather turns to crud ,shallow water waves are harder to negotiate than deep water waves
The Boat Guy completely neglected the dangers of entering narrow inlets in bad weather
I have personally seen Hurricane Pass FL go from a dead calm to 5' seas in < 20 minutes
In that situation a boater would be safer remaining offshore until the weather clears
Thanks for the information.
To quote Roman Craig, "what are you going to with a pontoon boat, retake Omaha beach?"
Dan Aykroyd is a wise man.
"How Far Offshore Can I Take My Boat?"
That depends on what you want your life expectancy to be.
The audio is very sensible. The video is bizarre. Illustrating a VHF radio with a shot of a cellphone? A bow shot to illustrate an upgraded or backup bilge pump?
Thanks for the feedback. I'll update this video one day and make these changes.
For me number one rule is Know your boat!, and do not go even beyond the gulf to open seas with less then 10 meter boat and second always lower speed when caught in storm and waves... Dont go straight to waves with so much speed! When a big wave is coming to you do not take the wave from sides of the boat! Or you gonna get capsized and suddenly you will find your self in water in no time! And always have life jackets on boat for all passengers. All life jackets must be stored on boat where accesible easily, and check the Weather with apps like Windy
Great advice!
Who tf would takes pontoon boat with a potential storm coming with 30 knot winds? I don’t know anyone that crazy, check the weather before you head out, pretty simple. Otherwise some ok advice on here.
Thanks
Good content, but why is a he all the time, their are many great females Captains and regular everyday moms mum's etc. Could the writer have written them, their, I know those words have a couple of extra letters but, We us Females are out there.🤣
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.
I take a small speed boat to ocean! Lol when i got fishing like 2 miles out from shore. Sometimes seas are rough but small boat takes it good. Even at hugher speedz since its wide, it doesnt boumch like those big ones meant for ocean
Depending on where you are, taking a small boat 2 miles out is about as far as you can safely go. You can still see the shore, and in good weather everything's great. If a storm rolled in and you had engine trouble, you might find yourself in trouble.
Well my offshore limitations are governed by how far I'm insured offshore. Just bought a 25' fishing boat, my policy for now only covers me for 50 miles off shore. If I wanted more offshore coverage, the yearly premiums would be double. So' for now, enjoy my boat and enjoy my 50 mile leash.
I'd bet insurance companies have information about every type of boat and every accident they're involved in. If they set your limit at 50 miles that might be the magic number.
Could possibly take a few seamanship classes that may open up more options for you.
Staying afloat is an important part of human design too...
So true
The worse are people that see a boat as a drinking floating bar…. The sea, lake, and river can all test a marine to the death…. Learn your ship, this is not a bar, it’s a lifestyle…
Great point
Time to get a new narrator this one has a anoing voice. Skipper !
I have a very simple answer here, You can go far as the weather allows, You can go as far as your fuel can take you, most importantly you can go far as the helicopters fuel can take you back. I shoot you not I was 15 mi offshore fishing and a pontoon boat came putting by me asking where the fish were.
I can't imagine taking a pontoon boat that far out!
@@theboatguy9175 yeah I was tripping when I saw it, dude had an impressive beard I imagine he had big balls too, Not too sure about the brain
Unfortunately, boats big or small are usually much better at seamanship than the people piloting them...
Good point. I completely agree.