After reading through the posts and although I think RADAR is way over kill
for me, I have a few additional suggestions

I've taken my 20' Wellcraft, 200hp merc out 30-35 miles in the Gulf of
Mexico on a few occasions, up to 11 miles regularly, and found the following
to be good practice.

1. Check the weather, both on NOAA's website and the Weather channel. If
the waves are predicted to be over 1-2's or wind hits the 15 knot mark it
will be a shorter trip. By the time we get to the pass, we would have
checked for reports on the VHF from boats already out there and whether the
seas were building or diminishing. Through most of the summer the almost
daily "afternoon scattered thunder storms" are an issue. We take that
seriously and plan the trip to be out and back by early afternoon and may
not go at all. We constantly check the weather, noting direction of the
clouds and wind.
2. Safety: In addition to the required and standard we have spare prop,
prop wrench, plugs, tools, fuses (for radio, engine, etc.) twin batteries
with selector switch, twin bilge pumps (a 700 and a 2000gph), a back-up hand
held VHF, etc. I have a good knowledge of mechanics (having rebuilt this
engine, the transom on the boat, replaced gas gauges, re-wired and really,
been through every sq inch of this engine and boat). We wear inflatable
life vests plus have the others available and immediately accessible. We
go through a checklist before every trip that lists everything from
"sunglasses to bait to GPS. (If you want, I could email you the checklist I
made up on Excel as a guide).

On your fuel, know your normal range. The rule is 1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3
for reserve.

Do you have the tools and knowledge to remove a 6/0 hook? How treat the two
inch gash that needs stitches? Can you instantly radio your current
position before you sink? Does everyone on the boat know where the fire
extinguisher is? and how to use the radio? and the proper dialog (Mayday,
Securite, Pan Pan http://www.boatingsafety.com/vhf1.htm ).

Before we head out, we check all equipment--lights, horn, VHF, GPS,
fish/depth finder, bilge pumps, etc. We tell someone where we are going and
when we expect to be back. If we change plans and are still in cell phone
range we let them know.

Get the Coast Guard to give you an inspection and get their suggestions for
additional equipment beyond that "required".

I take my 81 year old Mom out frequently. Just be safe, don't take chances,
if any questions or doubts on the weather, err on the conservative side. We
can not, nor can you go out far any time we like. The weather tells us when
we can.
LD


"King5899" wrote in message
oups.com...
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