How far offshore have you taken your 150CC?

[LittleT]

Hi All,

I just purchased my 150CC last month. It's been working out great so far. The dealer said you could safely take it 10 miles offshore. I've only gone out about 5 miles into the Gulf of Mexico with no problems to report.

Are they just being conservative? What's the difference between 10, 20 or even 30 miles offshore?

[Stoney]

I think it all depends on the seas. 2-3 footers...no problem. Even 3-4 footers you should be fine. Last weekend I took the largest wave I have ever taken on any boat. I thought for sure my wife and I were going in the water, but my 170 handled it with no problem. I was amazed. I am loving this boat. Just be safe, have a good VHF, plenty of safety equipment, and monitor those weather stations and you will be fine.

-Stoney-

[NCangler]

Hi LittleT and congratulations on the new boat! The big variable for me is weather. Seas can change very quickly and storms with lighting are no fun if you're several miles offshore and can't get it quickly enough. I had my 215 Chaos 25 miles offshore this past weekend when a series of thunderstorms came through just off a few miles offshore and to the beach. I have radar on my boat so we were able to monitor where the storm was heading and move around it but we were barely able to outrun the storm doing about 30 knots coming in. It really comes down to what you're comfortable with. Be safe!

[LittleT]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experience and knowledge. I really appreciate it.

[Genelie]

Originally Posted by NCangler

doing about 30 knots coming in.

Wow 30 knots, you must of, I hope had calm seas.

Back to the oringinal post, Like they said, it is all about being able to get back in during rough seas. We out west do not have worrie to much about quick storms moving in, But none the less, I have been out 50 miles when the seas were calm, and all of sudden the seas turn ugly with deep swells and wind.

[NCangler]

Make that 30 mph (about 26 knots). We had 2 foot seas.

Originally Posted by Genelie

Wow 30 knots, you must of, I hope had calm seas.

[PileDriver]

Most of us that run offshore on a regular basis in the GOM pay attention to the wave period. A 15 foot boat can hand 15 waves if the period is long enough. The period indicates how close the waves are to each other. So for eample, 3 foot seas on 8 seconds are very comfortable and you can run WOT, but the same seas on 6 seconds and you are slowing down, put them on 4 seconds and you will wish you were not there! Note I run a 210 so your numbers would be a bit lower. I highly recommend using a wave forecasting service like bouyweather.com that predicts what the seas will be up too 2 days in advance for free and 7 days if you pay.

As for taking a boat that size out past that 5-10 mile range into the gulf in general terms is not wise, as sooner or later you are going to test two things 1. will be the response time of the USGC and the 2. your insurance policy.

[tylerderdan]

Congrats on your purchase Lil T. Some great advice here from the guys. One of the biggest things I think should be considered is your experience and how comfortable you are going out on the water. Just because your boat may be equipped for it, or the dealer says it can is certainly no reason to do so. Being comfortable navigating and knowing your limits is the most important thing you can learn while operating your own vessel. Good luck and have fun.

[tarheelborn66]

I have a 2005 210CC and I regularly run 35-40 miles offshore out of New River Inlet. I have been caught in 6' seas with short wave intervals. It wasn't pretty but I made it in. A little beaten of course.

[Jan from Humboldt]

I get out there 10-12 miles however I pick the right days too.