Re: How many people go off shore?
distance from shore is just one factor in coastal/big water boating.
Often when you get far out the water is smoother; you trade chop for swells.
I may be 15 miles from "shore" at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay at the bridge tunnel and it's a washing machine; the bridge being there is not a safety haven.
But running through the barrier island/outer banks inlets can be a very tricky venture, far more dangerous than anything you'll see offshore. And it changes radically with the tide so a smoth out can be a bone-crusher returning, with weather having nothing to do with it.
Going far out exposes you to two primary concerns: a break-down (or worse, sinking) with limited to no communications back to shore, or adverse weather changes where it gets worse faster than you can make it to shelter. Note: shore is not shelter and is often worse than open water.
So you need a seaworthy dependable boat, one that can handle rough conditions you wouldn't go out in, and preferably some means of rescue, includnig a buddy boat as mentioned. Going to popular off-shore grounds on a nice calm Saturday in July is not the same as a breezy Tuesday in November.
