I just purchased a '98 Sundancer 250 with a single 5.7 EFI/Bravo III.
The boat is in excellent condition, and a full hull and engine survey
proved it was quite the solid boat, with many hours to go on it. While
sitting waiting up here in the northeast for the weather to warm up I
keep reading more and more about fishing off the Jersey shore. I have
read articles about catching Tuna, Dolphin and all sorts of
interesting fish in locations like the Mud hole, which is 15 miles
offshore. I purchased the boat primarily as a Hudson river and bay
boat for the family, but would love to venture to deeper waters to do
some fishing with my freinds.

Now I know prior to making any excursion that is outside a somewhat
controlled environemnt (i.e. Hudson river), I really have to get
comfortable with the boat and know how it handles, as well as how I
can handle it. The boat is pretty loaded with VHF, Compass, GPS/
Sounder, and your common safety equipment. So if I can maybe gather
some opinions to the following it would be greatly appreciated.

- How far offshore is reasonable in this style, size, and equipped
boat?

- What else should I consider getting to ensure any offshore trip
would be a safe one?

- Are there any places or clubs to meet up with other boaters heading
out to the hot fishing spots that might allow someone less experienced
to follow them out? (This would offer a level of safety that if
something did go wrong there are other boats in the area)

Thanks in advance. I am excited to get in the water, the waiting is
killing me. I assume if your reading this newsgroup in February you
are also as eager to see the thermometor tip some warmer numbers.

MJK