Open Ocean Trips--170

[JDC]

Hi All,

Have any of you taken the 170 more than a few miles off-shore? I live in Southern California and want to hit some local islands (17 miles out) or banks (10 miles out). Any advice or experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Genelie]

I am sure you will be fine, I have seen a small 12 foot alum boat at cornado islands, and that boat launched from San Diego bay....

[foxbo]

As with any small boat please pick your days and keep an eye on the weather. I have had my 170 cc 25 miles out off the pass in Pensacola with no problems. Of course the weather was beautiful and the seas 1/2-1', but there was the time I was coming in and things got ugly. Went from 1' to 4-5' in the matter of minutes, made for a slow nervous ride back in.

[Jim Jenkins]

The boat can handle it. Can you???

I go outside when it is 1-2 with no prediction of anything bigger than 2-4.

On the east coast and Florida Gulf watch and listen for those lines of dark clouds that usually mean wind, rain and those bright flashes than can come on very quickly.

[JDC]

Thanks guys. Have any of you taken a wave over the bow? That is my biggest concern...The scuppers seem small and lead to a bilge rather than straight out. That said, I had her out to our local kelp just out side (mile or two off shore) in 2-3' seas and she did fine at lower speeds. Thanks again and good boating & TL. John

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by JDC

Thanks guys. Have any of you taken a wave over the bow? That is my biggest concern...The scuppers seem small and lead to a bilge rather than straight out.

I took a wave over the bow from a headboat going by...there wasn't much time to get away from it so I just pointed the boat into it and hoped for the best. After the wave went by the boat popped up and bilge pump kicked in. The bilge was dry in a matter of 10 seconds or so. Not what I call a fun ride but the boat did what it was supposed to...the boat can handle a lot more than I can, that's for sure. Let us know how you make out. Tight lines.

[Jan from Humboldt]

I run my 150-CC down to Cape Mendocino out of Eureka with no problems. That's a 50 mile round trip, however I pick my days and if it blows up and gets snotty I slow down.

I grew up in San Diego and I know how sloppy comming back from the islands can get so use your head and if it gets sloppy tack and take it easy.

Mo betta to get home late and a little wet than not at all.

[LUCKY7]

We were out around Sandy Hook (NJ) this past weekend, handled 2'-4' no problem. Got a little wet, but the boat ran great. As for water over the bow, again, no problem - straight into the bilge and out.

[STL170]

Hello JDC,
No oceans in Missouri, but Lake of the Ozarks is a washing machine on any weekend day. F60 Yamaha with no foil and I was able to keep everything high and dry in the 2-3-4' mish-mash of reflected boat wakes. Only nervous time was a surprise from the starboard aft corner. I had one foot on the gunnel to keep from sliding out and my buddy had a death grip on the console rail. He started standing beside me and ended up spun around sitting on the front seat. Half a second later I unpuckered and we went on our way. Like cagrove says, boat can handle all I want to play around in.