17’ boat for offshore

[Evanrm105]

So I posted a little while ago about getting a center console for the saltwater. I found one that is a 17’ center console with a Evinrude 70hp on it. Is a 70 enough for that boat? And I don’t plan to go more than a mile out, and will hardly leave the inlet, but do you guys think a 17’ is safe to do that with?

 

[Sprig]

A 70 hp is enough (depending on the weight and hull design) if it is only you and one other person. More people and more equipment and it will be way under powered.
A 17’ in the salt is ok as long you go out on windless or little wind days and you monitor the swells closely. Pay attention to the wind and if it starts blowing head for shore.

 

[Texasmark]

I fished 10 miles offshore in a 13' FG boat with a 22 Scott Atwater for a lotta years and never had a problem...other than getting soaked by afternoon squalls sometimes that pop up on the Gulf of Mexico in the summer months....course if I had a 40' center console with no canopy nor berth or such, I would have gotten soaked on that also.

Main things are conditions and your aptitude.

 

[dingbat]

What inlet and what body of water?

Inlets tend to be far more changing than anything you find out front.

Huge difference between the waters of the Gulf, Pacific and Atlantic.

 

[QBhoy]

Take a back up auxiliary engine, I’d say. Likely different where you are, but here on the west coast of Scotland, not too many would venture too far offshore in a 17ft boat and 70hp...especially an older 70hp. Take care.

 

[Tassie 1]

If you're only going out less than a mile or " barely " out of the inlet you'll be fine provided you watch the weather and don't dawdle back if it changes

an aux is always a good idea though,