Hey guys, just wondering what size boat is large enough to travel from say the keys over to the bahamas or something like that? Lookin to upgrade my boat and need some input. Thanks! I was looking at a baja 342, not sure if i want to go that route or more of a cruiser style that can hold more fuel.
Whats big enough?
- Thread starter capt_jack
- Start date
- Nov 26, 2006
- 7,628
- Boat Info
- 2008 44 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
Most guys will tell you that it's the biggest boat you can afford to own and operate - and pad that operate number quite a bit. I've never taken the journey to the Bahamas, but people do it in small boats with other large boats along for support and safety. If you want to travel with any regularity, I would go diesel. They're designed for that kind of cruising. If you go diesel, it seems around 38 and above are nice fits.
Morpheus
New Member
- May 7, 2007
- 2,450
- Boat Info
- 2006 SeaRay Sundeck 240
- Engines
- 5.0MPI Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
Search for BIMINI on the forum and read through those threads. You will see what people have made the trip and that will give you an idea on size of boats. But like Hampton said the bigger you can afford the better.
Say you only get the smallest boat you need to get to the Bahamas and do the trip love it to death and now you want to do more trips there or to other places like the Dry Tortougas or something and decide you need a bigger boat still.
Say you only get the smallest boat you need to get to the Bahamas and do the trip love it to death and now you want to do more trips there or to other places like the Dry Tortougas or something and decide you need a bigger boat still.
tphinney
New Member
biggest item when it comes to going off shore is the need for twin engines and a helm area where you can have all the electronics you'll need. I've done a bit of costal running up to about 15 miles offshore which is about as far as i want to go with out a backup engine or satilite comminications. it gets reall lonely out there.
going from a 185 sport into any kind of cruiser is going to seem like a big step but when you want to go for real distance in comfort you'll normally need way more boat than you think you need. Oh and forget Miles per gallon and start thinking Gallons per mile this part of the equation which is usually the wake up call on how much more expensive bigger boats get.
as for the smallest boat I would try a trip to the bahamas. I'd love to do it in a 280DA, but if I had an escort I'd do it with my 240DA.
going from a 185 sport into any kind of cruiser is going to seem like a big step but when you want to go for real distance in comfort you'll normally need way more boat than you think you need. Oh and forget Miles per gallon and start thinking Gallons per mile this part of the equation which is usually the wake up call on how much more expensive bigger boats get.
as for the smallest boat I would try a trip to the bahamas. I'd love to do it in a 280DA, but if I had an escort I'd do it with my 240DA.
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