Got a question for ya'll

[fshhntr19]

How small is too small to go offshore. I have a 21 ft sea pro, and I have plans of taking her offshore this summer(picture of it in my profile) anywhere from the 26mile hill to the norfolk canyon. I personally think the boat would do it, depending on sea conditions. What do ya'll think. Am I crazy????????

[jimmy k]

26 mile hill Is okay but I wouldnt recomend the canyons....Personally I would keep It under 50 miles out...You could go OI & Hatteras no problem people do It all the time...You got to remeber your fuel capicity & what you burn...When you run offshore you running pretty loaded down with gear,Ice.& crew....

[fordbjr]

I've seen Carolina Skiffs off of Hatteras before, but Hatteras isn't that far of a run compared to here. You just have to be really careful with the weather, pick the right days.

[derekd]

I run a 22' Grady White center console out of OC. We have had the boat out to the Hot Dog. I'm sure we could go further, it's just a long tow home if we break down. Just be sure to keep an eye on the forecast, there have been a few days when they were calling for 2-3 only to find ourselves in 5-6 by the afternoon. Good luck.[smile][smile]

[jimmy k]

Guys Lets get real hes talking the NORFOLK CANYON In a 21ft cc...70 mile run ....I WOULD NOT RECOMEND IT...Even on a nice summer day you can get a hurting put on ya with the summer storms just ask Lucain about that....I hate doing In a 25ft boat....

[whitebite3]

70miles try 48

[jimmy k]

Not from rudee or lynnhaven Its 69 miles to the 100ftm tip..

[Taz Lancaster]

I had a 21 donzi center console I fished twice out of OI both times were a mill pond stable high pressure and I was still hesitant I wouldnt do it w/o a epirb liferaft ect ect ect ect Be careful if you do and buddy up....

[lmontagnaj]

IMHO:
I had a 21' boat and....... If you want to catch palagics, I would reccomend trailering down to HATTERAS... 20 miles to the rock pile where you can catch tuna, mahi, marlin, sailfish, wahoo and most of those can come closer than the rock pile. I caught a very nice sailfish 14 miles off the beach as well as plenty of mahi & wahoo...

You can make the run to the canyon, but when you get caught, you will wish you had never made the trip. I was caught last year on a 29" CC on a beautiful day... We had Lightening, Waterspouts, 70+ mph winds, 15-20' seas for 2 1/2 hours and lost both antennas.

I thought we were going to DIE!!! If we had been in a 21' boat, I assure you we would have.

Do yourself a favor.... Pick and choose your days and trailer down to get a closer run to and from the beach.

[Sea_Slueth]

You really need to know your fuel range. Rule of 1/3. That being, you want to come home with a 1/3 tank of gas as you may need that as reserve in the case of a storm.

One engine would be another concern.

Boat insurance.

I think you are fine doing the 26 hill. Go with a buddy boat whenever possible or at least with someone who has made the run before.

The canyons are a long run and you do need to watch the weather. I do it in a 24 Grady and am very comfortable. There are guys on the board that do the canyons solo on a regular basis w/o incident.

Radar is another issue. I ran to the Poormans from OC on a clear flat day. Got 48 miles out and hit a fog bank. I fished in the fog for several hours. Would not want to be out there w/o radar.

I see no problem with running to the hills. Once you are comfortable doing that a few times, you'll be able to make a more educated decision.

JP