Got a new boat.....but will it do????

[thedust]

Wife and I are travelers and missed our boating life so much, we bought what I think is an "all around fishing machine". It is a Kenner Vision 1902 with a 115 Optimax. My question is, since we are due to spend December-April in Florida....will this boat be suitable for "Near offshore" fishing. This boat is known for it's dry ride hull and bay fishing, but will it be ok for going out to the many man made reefs that lie just offshore, within 20 miles of the beach?? Really looking forward to getting back to saltwater, just hope we will be able to use this boat to it's fullest potential.<br />Thanks for any response (since this is my first post) and good fishing and clear days to all.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

Going out 20 miles in the ocean in a 19' boat sounds like guaranteed eventual DEATH! I have always been one for pushing the limit with a small boat but if a storm ever crossed your path you would have no where to run.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

It can be done and people do it all of the time. However, some know what they are doing and some don't. Some boats are better than others. <br /><br />I think the first thing you need to consider our your own skipper skills and experience. You need to be brutally honest with yourself be comfortable with your decision. Most boats are far more capable than their operators. <br /><br />A popular approach to this is to follow out one or more larger boats with experience captains. They will know when conditions are right and be able to support you if needed.

 

[JB]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

When I lived in Ft. Likkerdale I used to fish the Gulf Stream every weekend that seas were below 5'. I also took the trip to Bimini twice.<br /><br />In my 1966 Boston Whaler Sakonnet 16, "Sunshine I".<br /><br />In the winter the seas are bigger than in spring or summer, but there are many days suitable for "bay" boats offshore. Winter is the best time to troll for sailfish and marlin.<br /><br />Be sure to have a working GPS aboard, unless you are a trained navigator/pilot. Oh, and a good VHF, too.

 

[thedust]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

I have spent many a overnighter off shore with grandparents (when younger) in a 22' homemade cruiser grandpa built, and have gone myself on other boats with friends and relatives a lot farther out than I had of gone on my own. Back in those days, time of day, sun placement and time spent going out initally was our only navigational aids. Now there is GPS and radios, both of which I have had the fore thought to have installed during the purchase. We just want to be able to get to some of the hundreds of sunken ships, bridges etc etc that have been placed not too far off shore. Want to get into some grouper fishing and other pole bending salties for the wifes sake since the largest thing she has ever caught is a 3 lb crappie. So is there any experence out there with this type of hull? You can pull it up by going to Kennerboats.com and looking at the vision 1902. Once again thanks.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

Where in Florida are you planning to go? The Keys are about the best there is for what you want to do and you won't have to go 20 miles off shore to do it. Even so you need to stay on top of wind and weather as others have posted. You can get into big trouble less than a mile off shore in the wrong conditions.<br /><br />Try a Google on John Pennycamp State Park or Bahia Honda. Might check directly with wherever you decide to go as some places were hit pretty hard by hurricanes. I know Flamingo is closed - Everglades National Park.

 

[thedust]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

We will be in the Leesburg area and will stay on the Harris lake chain mostly...but still want to get out on the "big pond" a couple of times. Lees is just about center of the state, so does not matter east or west...not 70 miles difference. Just wanted the wife to experence some somkin drag on her salt tackle. <br />Been looking at some of the charts on artificial reefs over off Citrus county (due west) and most of those are in 30-60' of water. Now here is a couple more questions these charts have brought up. 1) 30 - 60' of water should not be too far out right? and 2) looking at these charts it list depths and "reliefs". Is the relief how far off the bottom the structure is...or how far down from the surface it is???? If you knew me better you would probably name me "question man" cuz I do have a tendency to be inquisitive. Thanks for any help.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Got a new boat.....but will it do????

20 miles...hmmm...I would not think about it in that boat (with my wife), but if you do, make sure you know your meteorological forecast models. The National Weather Service marine forecast is notorious for changing rapidly and very unreliable. I am a Meteorologist and interpret the same models that NWS uses (they come out at about 11AM and 11PM daily). The resolution of the models off shore is poor which is one reason they are not very accurate. <br /><br />Anyway, if you decide to do this, I suggest:<br /><br />1. Go above and beyond the minimum coast guard requirments<br />2. VHF radio!!<br />3. In most cases, leave before sunrise and get back before any diurnal tstms<br />4. Check forecasted wind right before leaving<br />5. Install backup bilge<br />6. Have chart plotter and backkup waterproof map<br />7. Tell someone when you will be back and where you are going<br /><br />I am sure others will chime in with items to add to your checklist.