Curious about sailing the ocean blue...

[KRB64]

Spent all my life boating on inland lakes and rivers. Spending the week here on Holden Beach NC (been coming here for many years) has me envious of you salt water Sea Rayers. But the thought is daunting too. Where do you guys spend most of your water time?

I know this greatly depends on what your interests are - fishing, cruising, diving, even LOA, etc; but where is the majority of time spent? Intercoastal? Bays and sheltered waters? If out on the open ocean, how far out will you go? How close to shore can you get?

A lot of stupid questions for you guys that live here but watching the coast has me thinking and dreaming... Mostly curious with boats under 30' and those that are trailered.

 

[tdappleman]

I think I fit into your criteria... I have a 270DA and it's trailered. My primary destinations are in the sounds around me - the water is salt/brackish and relatively sheltered so the trips are comfortable for the crew and we have a lot of destinations to choose from.

I go out into the ocean to fish - that's it. Oregon Inlet is my way out into the open water and while it's a little tricky at times it's an easy channel to navigate after you've been through it a couple of times. The challenge is the channel is constantly moving and being dredged - add to that they have been doing bridge construction this year. I love to fish - I suck at it... - but have a great time. Once out in the water the furthest I've been out on my boat is what is called the 102 Tower which is about 20 miles from Oregon Inlet. Most of my fishing is for Blues, Spanish Mackerel and Rockfish. When I go further out I'm looking for Dolphin unless I go to a few of the wrecks around here and then it is Spadefish, Black Sea Bass and hopefully a Cobia.

I typically do not get close to shore when in the ocean. We do troll about 200 yards out when going for Blues but that is about the closest I'll get. There is just too much wave action and anchoring out and getting in to go to the beach just isn't possible. That is another reason why the kids like going out into the sounds - easy to anchor close in and then go swimming or tubing, etc.

 

[rcknecht]

You pick you days when you go out in the Ocean... We go in the Ocean when we are going a long trip... Typically, unless you are fishing or travelling, you keep to the inner coastal waterways...

 

[jhild]

We do a little bit of everything here along the North Shore of Mass. Quite a few protected harbors, bays, and rivers, but the open ocean is always just around the corner. Perfect for some light fishing with my boys (7 and 8 years.) We often anchor/moor out at some local islands or boat-accessible beaches for a picnic lunch and some swimming. We normally anchor just off the beach in about 2-3 feet of water. We also run up the coast to Gloucester or Rockport for nice day trip, or make a quick run to one of the many restaurants on the water near my home port. Once in a while, when the weather is right, I just head east out into the Atlantic. Never been too far offshore, but sometime the big water just calls your name. I always enjoy the solitude. Kind of feels like you have the whole ocean to yourself.

 

[mmcguire2002]

I do all open ocean. Catalina island is less than 2 hours away. There are also several other marinas in the 2 hour range. Once or twice a year I'll make the 6 hour run down to San Diego and spend a few days there before returning.

 

[Jackie J V]

The ocean is not the only place to experience big water. We're on the Great Lakes and often do long hauls where we'd be out of sight of land for three of four hours.

I'm originally from Newfoundland, which is in the middle of the north Atlantic (most easterly point in North America). That's big Ocean. When I first moved to Ontario, I scoffed at those who expressed concerns about the Lakes...and then I got to experience short chop 14 footers...crappy experience.

It's great to have variety. Big water, Ocean or Great Lakes, affords that.

Paul

 

[JV II]

About how far out can you go, in a sport cruiser or sedan bridge, you hardly ever go straight out toward the next continent. Most ocean cruising is from port to port, passing land. Of course, there is the occasional crossing of a bay or sound where you don't see land. That's when you have to plan ahead.

I did a lot of fresh water fishing when I was younger. The difference between fresh water and salt water fishing is that there are few fresh water fish that can draw blood. In ocean fishing, most fish can, and many can amputate an appendage. That puts the sport into sport fishing.

 

[KRB64]

All good stuff. Thanks for the replies. Maybe someday I'll be able to give it a shot...

 

[tobnpr]

90% of my boating is due west, 30-50 nm. If you don't fish/dive, you really wouldn't have a reason to be out there.
Something about the solitude of being offshore, no land or other boats in sight- only blue water is my "escape"...

 

[coolings]

I mainly cruise in the intercoastal waterways. Most of the time I am within ten miles of the boat ramp. Sometimes I will take a day trip to neighboring cities, Destin or Orange Beach. I travel there in the ICW. I do go offshore for fishing. Most of the wrecks I fish are about three miles or so from shore. I have been up to 13 miles from shore. I have only been in the Gulf once when I was not fishing. It was a calm day so I went out the western pass in Florida, traveled along the coast to the Alabama easternmost pass. It was nice traveling along the beaches and seeing it from water. I never get to close to shore while in the Gulf. Probably 250 yards at closest. Most areas we can still anchor and touch the bottom. I don't trust myself anchoring closer to shore in the Gulf. I respect the waves and rip currents.

 

[Old Bag]

Interesting how so many voice their love of the solitude of open ocean. I agree. But, being somewhat new to power boats, I am nervous about open ocean in a power boat. I have sailed, raced and cruised the open ocean for nearly forty years in sailboats from 14 feet to 36 feet and love the open sky, horizon views, the stars at night, the phosphorescence in the wake - I love everything there is about ocean sailing. I live now in Puget Sound and a power boat is the way to go here in the inland waterways of the Pacific Northwest. I miss sailing though - the sound of the wind in the rigging, the hiss of the water along the hull, the feel of the vessel as it balances wind and water while eating up the miles toward the destination. There is absolutely nothing like it. But sailing is a different mindset. And as "Ratty" said, "There is nothing- absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats". Any sort of boat will work for me.
Regards,
The Old Bag
Gig Harbor, WA

 

[Nehalennia]

99% of the time we're in saltwater but in the relatively protected Puget Sound and San Juan islands.

 

[Old Bag]

Todd - Wow! Great shot of Friday Harbor, Orcas Island, and the rest. I'm looking forward to getting our SRV 245 up and running. It's been a while since I've been on the water.
Regards,
Old Bag
Gig Harbor, WA

 

[Don Sr]

Great shot Todd, I'm going to go for it and head to San Diego this winter. Its an 8 hr drive which is nothing out here. Still trying to put together the trip - maybe San Diego to LA and back.

 

[Four Suns]

That's not Todd's picture... he can't take a picture worth a poop. He lifted that off google somewhere.

 

[mmcguire2002]

Great shot Todd, I'm going to go for it and head to San Diego this winter. Its an 8 hr drive which is nothing out here. Still trying to put together the trip - maybe San Diego to LA and back.

I've done that trip...Marina del Rey to San Diego is roughly 6 hours, cruising around 23 or 24 knots. I would do San Diego to Newport Beach. Much nicer harbor and should only take you around 4 hours or so at that speed. There is a free anchorage in the center of the harbor, as well as some slips for rent in the Back Bay.

 

[Nehalennia]

Gary's right. I looked on "Bing" for an aerial shot of the San Juans to show the protected but vast waterways.

 

[Don Sr]

I've done that trip...Marina del Rey to San Diego is roughly 6 hours, cruising around 23 or 24 knots. I would do San Diego to Newport Beach. Much nicer harbor and should only take you around 4 hours or so at that speed. There is a free anchorage in the center of the harbor, as well as some slips for rent in the Back Bay.

I saw the Newport brochure looks awesome. I want to go for 6-7 days and stay on the boat - what about a couple nights at MDR; Dana Point, etc. ? Any favorate spots?