New to offshore

[northcountry]

My wife and I moved to Virginia Beach in june. We picked up a 21 foot Sea Pro WA on our way out and have had it out half a dozen times, putting in at Rudee and Lynnhaven. What we would really like to do is get out and catch some dolphin and maybe a tuna or two; Not too interested in marlin. Anyway, looking to gain some experience and looking for someone with extra room on their boat, or someone who would go out with us on our boat (on a nice day of course). We would chip in our share of the gas and other expenses if another boat.

Thanks,

Jeremy

[SeaNic]

I'm new to the offshore thing too. I'm going out anyhow!! I'm leaving Rudee Inlet mid-week (calm day) and try to catch one tuna. I'm taking my 19' Grady White and heading east to catch one. Loaded with green machines and seawitches - gonna give it a try.....
- Sean

[ESfishdoc]

The weather for this week is not looking good for us smaller boat owners.... mine is a 25 foot.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/akq/

What I have found is a report of 2 to 3 foot out to 20 miles is best. A solid 3 foot prediction with no prediction of increasing seas is OK.

If there is a prediction of 3 to 4 I'm not going.... if they are 3's that is one thing but I'm not going to have fun if they are 4 and if they increase to 5 I'm wishing I wasn't there.

I'll go out to the canyons when conditions allow me to run around 23 mph or faster..... I've found that most of the time when the inside 20 mile report is 3 foot seas or less and the way offshore report is 3 to 5 the canyons are usually OK with 3 to 4 foot swells....

Safety is number one: Keep in mind there is no cell phone service out there. VHF radio with backup is mandatory. File a float plan and stay around other boats if no buddy boat.

Simple things like a sea anchor could save your bacon. I had the luxury of winding up 30 or so yards of line around my prop the other day...my own line that fortunately I was responsible for (cuts out the need to yell or get mad with anyone). it was a near flat calm day.... plenty of good help on my boat as I had to go in the water to cut out the line.. no... I could not get to it while on the bracket leaning out over the motor..... so I had two pfd's and a safety line while I took a dip. I learned I never want that to happen when there would be a 3 foot chop out there....

Stay safe.

[Jim Crist]

Couldn't agree more with fishdoc....you may also want to invest in an epirb. Hope it never has to be used but, if you don't have a buddy boat and something goes bad at least the CG can save your skin. Also make sure you have a good radio(s) and antenna. Redundancy is everything when going offshore....Be safe and tight lines. I also fish a 24'er and watch the days carefully....

[northcountry]

I appreciate the advice guys

[ESfishdoc]

I have an EPIRB that is new this season. It doesn't change anything I do except tell crew on the boat why it is important it goes with us if we go in the water.... It gives me a piece of mind.

I'm shopping for a liferaft now.

Richard