How far can a boat go?

[Gunn]

Lots of good advise here, some conflicting. Basically you'd heard it is possible. Some would do it, some would never. But really only you can answer that question. Once you get the boat, you'll figure it out.

In my third season boating, I've become *much* more comfortable with sea conditions than during the first few times out. So has the rest of my family. We went from hating any kind of boat motion to now hanging out and having a fun time fishing in 1-2ft. waves, floating like a cork. But I've come to learn our limitations and we've only ventured out into the Chesapeake Bay twice; both times it was to check it out, and turned around and came right back in. Even though they were not tall, the large rollers weren't comfortable to my crew. Eventually maybe they will be. And someday, we'll upgrade to a boat where we can do more exploring.

You just need to take the time to learn what you are and are not comfortable with.

Enjoy,

Tom

 

[tdappleman]

Shall we bring up the whole topic of bow riders and off shore usage?

I thought the Weekender was a cuddy cabin model which is why I used the comparison of my Parker. If it is an open bow then I certainly wouldn't take it off shore - regardless of experience.

 

[islandhopper00]

Shall we bring up the whole topic of bow riders and off shore usage?

Gary it's a 215 weekender, closed bow and all. Now I wouldn't have a problem taking it accross the stream to the islands. But then I've been making the crossing since I was knee high to a grasshopper. The smallest boat I've taken is a 21 cc. That was fun. The boat spent more time in the air than in the water. For me, I'd be more concerned with taking your boat because handling dynamics are so much different than what I'm used to.
The smallest boat "we" have taken was a 21 sundancer, that was a trick.

 

[tphinney]

The one part no one here has addressed yet. is the electronics. if you're going off shore you'll need a good set of charts and compass to navagate as a backup up to a GPS or GPS Chartplotter. you'll need a good VHF with as tall an antenna as you can get on the boat (remember that you're only going to get about 15 mile reach under normal conditions). so if you're 20 miles off shore and something goes wrong you'll be depending on other boaters (if they hear you) for help.

also as previously stated get some time under your belt close to shore to learn how the boat handles, and how well youre equipment works before really going offshore.

as the picture below shows even at 15 miles of shore, it can get reall lonely out there.

land is somewhere over the horizion and even with my VHF on Scan I had zero traffic on the radio. talk about being alone.....

 

[Presentation]

Answer: You can only go out half way across the body of water where you are boating. After that you are technically going back in.

 

[NorCal Boater]

[My Father in Law lives in Fallbrook, CA and I've always wanted to trailer our boat down to Long Beach and going to Catalina Is.

Where do you plan to go?]

Todd,
We have never met but we have boated some of the same water. From what I have come to learn about you, you would do fine taking your boat to Catalina.

There are a few things to remember. In the summer, it is usually calm in the morning and the breeze will kick up in the afternoon. Obviously, start early in the day. There were times I would go over for the weekend and it would be too rough to return Sunday so I would wait until Monday morning and head back a dawn. It's 26 miles so at 26 mph it's gong to take you an hour. I used to make the trip with just a compass on the 23' Cobalt. (Out of Alamitos Bay 189 degrees) It is much easier with a GPS.

Another tip for the summer; if you go over on a Friday morning and expect to get a mooring, you better stay home. Avalon gets so busy in the summer that some guys will take their boats over on Wednesday, leave the boat and take the ferry back and return Friday after work.

Lastly there is another old piece of advice; if you can see the island from the mainland, don't go. But there is nothing like pulling into Avalon Harbor on your own boat. It's like going back in time and a great spot for the kids too.

Mattttttt....

Go down to Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport Harbor, Huntington Harbor, Marina Del Rey, etc. and watch all the boats that are out and going out. If you are careful, respectful of the ocean and follow all of the other advise here, you will be fine.

Long Beach is a great place to start as Long Beach to San Pedro is protected by a jetty and the conditions are not as severe as the open ocean. Practice there and feel your way around. There are lots of great places to go right in Long Beach Harbor.

 

[Mattthn]

Thanks for all your advice, but i don't get the last one..:grin: is it because it's to close?

 

[NorCal Boater]

Thanks for all your advice, but i don't get the last one..:grin: is it because it's to close?

Don't get the last one what???

 

[islandhopper00]

Lastly there is another old piece of advice; if you can see the island from the mainland, don't go.


I would have to think he meant "can't".

 

[NorCal Boater]

Now I get it....

The adage, "if you can see the island, don't go" means that if the sky is clear and you are able to see Catalina 25 miles away, the wind is blowing pretty good and the chop will be up. Add that to a good swell and it can mean a pretty uncomfortable ride.

But "uncomfortable" is kind of a relative thing. By ex-wife hated the slightest ripple and hated going to Catalina. (She spent a lot of weekends alone) The present wife doesn't mind the chop and waves and just shakes off spray to the kisser.

Back to Catalina....I have seen times when the sky had a high overcast and you could see the island. The water was like glass. It just depends on the conditions.

I left Avalon one June evening a few years back in the 23' Cobalt about 11:00 PM with another couple on board. The water was as flat as a pond, there was a full moon and the phosforescence(sp) was so intense you could see the underwater prop wash like there were lights underwater. The dolphins must have liked it too as we came across hundreds playing and jumping out of the water. We stopped the boat, shut the motor off and just watched them for an hour or so. It was the most amazing ride I have ever had on a boat.

Trips to Catalina have never failed to be very special.

 

[Nehalennia]

................

I left Avalon one June evening a few years back in the 23' Cobalt about 11:00 PM with another couple on board. The water was as flat as a pond, there was a full moon and the phosforescence(sp) was so intense you could see the underwater prop wash like there were lights underwater. The dolphins must have liked it too as we came across hundreds playing and jumping out of the water. We stopped the boat, shut the motor off and just watched them for an hour or so. It was the most amazing ride I have ever had on a boat.

Trips to Catalina have never failed to be very special.

That's why I want to go. Part of the reason for the name "Nehalennia" for our boat is the significance of Dolphins to my Admiral.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but search the "boat names" topics and you'll see why Catalina, Dolphins and Nehalennia Mean so much to My Admiral. I'd love to bring her(and her Dad and Brother) back there on our own boat.