Is it feasible to go Whale watch with my boat..?

[Nick70]

So my boat is a '06 260 Sundancer.
Im not sure how far out I'd have to go, and should I be concerned about the size of my craft in regards to the size of the Whales?
ill some of my dockmates when I get back home too but I'd like to know what people think.
is it a stretch for my vessel?
thanks!

 

[JimG]

I would worry more about the seas than a whale disrupting your boat. On a calm day, your boat should do fine.

https://www.google.com/search?q=wha...ved=0ahUKEwi1gbbqzYrPAhWEpB4KHdoaDfQQ_AUICCgD

 

[FootballFan]

We went to Maine boating for 4 or 5 years. Always getting a bare boat charter - most were in the 38-44ft range.

On one trip we were going from Rockland to Freeport in one day - 80 miles or so. Made a pretty wide swing to the south after we came out of the bottom of Penobscot to clear all the islands.

Motoring along at 18-19 knots, admiral yelled I think I see a dolphin off Starboard side. I looked, in a minute or so this fin came out of the water - it wasn't no dolphin. That fin was alone was 7-8 feet long. Second time more of it came out of the water, saw maybe 20-25 ft of pure FISH. This was about 50 yards off Starboard. 3rd time that thing came out of the water I was hard on the wheel to Port - I didn't like being that close.

Guess it all depends on how far out you have to go, what the seas are like. We have run that same route several times over the years, never saw any thing any other trip. The route, sea conditions, and weather that day - I would be ok on a 26ft boat. Any worse conditions I wouldn't. We were in 12ft swells - but they were a minute or so apart, smooth ride.

Trying to remember water depth where we were - thinking 4-600 ft.

Not sure how far out you have to go to reliably see whales, but during a couple of months of the year, sea conditions are unparalleled there.

Good luck on your hunt,

Mark

 

[FootballFan]

I would worry more about the seas than a whale disrupting your boat. On a calm day, your boat should do fine.

https://www.google.com/search?q=wha...ved=0ahUKEwi1gbbqzYrPAhWEpB4KHdoaDfQQ_AUICCgD

JimG is right about sea conditions. We were watching whales in the San Juan islands when we were there in July. Lots of boats smaller than the one we were one - but that was very protected waters compared to the Atlantic off the coast of Maine.

Mark

 

[swaterhouse]

Where are you located? In MA whales are generally pretty "close" to shore and on a good day you would be fine.

Be aware there are regulation's how close you can get.

You can use an online AIS tracker to search out the whale watching boats to see where they are, but don't get in their way and I wouldn't get as close as they do.

 

[hottoddie]

I have 3 of my previous boats out to Stellwagon. A 23ft cuddy, a 27ft mid cabin express and a 32ft mid cabin express. All trips without incidence. The 23ft was a little small returning in 2-3ft seas. I would not do that trip now in a 23ft but can't wait to go again in my 39ft. Pure luxury.

 

[SloBurn]

I've gone out of Provincetown, just follow the commercial Whale Watch boats. Keep your distance and shut down engines when they are < 50 yards away. As long as seas are smooth, this is great place to go and watch. Not too far out, around Herring Cove, I think, and usually see several of them.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Not whales but just outside of fire island inlet there have been numerous pods of dolphins hanging out with us while we surf. Pretty amazing. I even caught one wave and noticed a dolphin catching the same one Right in front of me and cruising in about 10 yards of my nose