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

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


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


It all depends on the weather, wind and sea state. I've crossed Cape Cod Bay
in a 16' Boston Whaler. (stupid). I've also had a few unplanned, white
knuckled fishing adventures in a 36' Egg Harbor.


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

IMO?

1. Radar.

I don't think anyone is experienced until they encounter their first
offshore venture when suddenly, out of nowhere, a fog develops that limits
your visibility to 5 feet beyond the bow.

2. GPS-Equipped Emergency Locator Beacon.

3. Life raft.

4. Learn traditional navigation. Don't assume your GPS is going to always
work.


My other personal requirement for offshore boating is a boat with twin
engines. Many disagree.


- 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)

Around here most serious fishing buffs are rather territorial and secretive
regarding their favorite "hot spots", but it's still a good idea to fish in
the general vicinity of other boats. Meet and make some fishing friends.

Eisboch

On Feb 7, 10:30 pm, "King5899" wrote:

~~ snip ~~

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

Depends on weather. As Eisboch, when I was younger, it was
nothing to take a 13 foot Boston Whaler sport out to Halfway
Rock off Marblehead or even out further on a good day.

However, you have some limitations - like fuel milage. That
5.7 is going to suck some gas along the way, so that's a
consideration. I wouldn't try it until I know what I can expect
for gallons per hour at cruise and know it cold in varying
conditions.

"Reasonable" is a personal concept. I wouldn't do it unless
the weather was perfect and I had a boat going with me just
in case - in particular with a single engine 25 foot boat.

Things can get snarky in a hurry 15/20 miles out and in
a smaller boat, it can be flat out dangerous. That area
of the North Atlantic is a very interesting place and one
I wouldn't want to screw around with in a small boat.

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

You can't "ensure" that any offshore trip will be a safe one - there
are too many weather variables, too many possibilities. You
can only limit the possibilities.

I'll second Eisboch on the safety equipment and on the radar -
essential for offshore running.

The only other items I'd add to Eisboch's list is a kicker engine of
some type and I'd make sure I had an up to date tow package
with Sea//Tow, Safe Sea, Boat US or the franchise of your
choice. Tows can be expensive.

I'd also add that a advanced navigation course would be in
order.

And a decent radar reflector for those situation where you
can't see the bow from cockpit. :)

- 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)

Yes, although for offshore fishing, it's better to charter with
an experienced captain and pick his/her brains about the
various techniques used to catch fish. Offshore fishing is
considerably different than inshore and you can spend a lot
of time, money and effort with little to show for it at the end
of the day. You will actually save money in the long run
by chartering a trip rather than beating the hell out of your
25 footer.

Lastly, my opinon is that if you are serious about offshore
fishing, in particular to places like the Mud Hole, get a bigger
boat. There is a "mosquito" fleet what hits that area every
tuna run - basically boats like yours that tow bladders filled
with gas that allows you to stay out longer.

The size of your boat is going to be an issue if you take one
or two guys along with you - in particular if you do manage
to hook up with a tuna.

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.

Have fun and be carefull.

On 7 Feb 2007 20:30:55 -0800, "King5899" wrote:

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,

The Sundancer 250 is a good river and bay boat but you will soon
discover that it has its limitations there also. It was not designed
as an off shore boat so it is severly weather limited for that use.

I agree with all of the previous advice: radar, liferaft, EPIRB,
kicker engine, navigation courses, SeaTow membership, etc.

In addition, I would encourage you to get a lot more experience with
the boat and its equipment. Over time you will get a much better
appreciation for what it can and can not do safely, and you will gain
experience in how to manage difficult conditions.

The Jersey shore is a dangerous place in conditions that are only
moderately severe. The inlets can have breaking seas even when the
wind is not blowing, all it takes is a large swell and an outgoing
tide. 25 foot boats get rolled and people lost every year after
getting caught by an inopportune breaking wave.

On Feb 8, 9:04 am, Wayne.B wrote:
On 7 Feb 2007 20:30:55 -0800, "King5899" wrote:

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,

The Sundancer 250 is a good river and bay boat but you will soon
discover that it has its limitations there also. It was not designed
as an off shore boat so it is severly weather limited for that use.

I agree with all of the previous advice: radar, liferaft, EPIRB,
kicker engine, navigation courses, SeaTow membership, etc.

In addition, I would encourage you to get a lot more experience with
the boat and its equipment. Over time you will get a much better
appreciation for what it can and can not do safely, and you will gain
experience in how to manage difficult conditions.

The Jersey shore is a dangerous place in conditions that are only
moderately severe. The inlets can have breaking seas even when the
wind is not blowing, all it takes is a large swell and an outgoing
tide. 25 foot boats get rolled and people lost every year after
getting caught by an inopportune breaking wave.

Great point. It's like working the Charlestown Breachway. Perfectly
calm day outside, six foot breakers on the tide going into.

Tough to do in a smallish boat.

On 8 Feb 2007 07:52:58 -0800, "Short Wave Sportfishing"
wrote:

Great point. It's like working the Charlestown Breachway. Perfectly
calm day outside, six foot breakers on the tide going into.

Tough to do in a smallish boat.

Especially when you are upside down with people in the water.

People who are moving up from smaller boats tend to think of a 25
footer as being large. I used to, because most of my time on the
water as a kid was spent in 14 to 17 ft runabouts.

However even with our new SeaRay 270 it is still pretty easy to get
beat up on open water. We were out on the Gulf of Mexico two weeks
ago with just a moderate 12 kt breeze, and that was plenty. Not
dangerous by any means, but rough enough to require a substantial
speed reduction.

Now if I still had my old Bertram 33, it would have been damn the
torpedoes...

On Feb 8, 2:28�am, "RCE" wrote:


My other personal requirement for offshore boating is a boat with twin
engines. *Many disagree.

I think twins are important if you are a gas boat. Less important for
a diesel. Once you get a diesel started it will run until you shut it
off unless it overheats (entirely preventable) or is denied
combustible fuel. (Fuel problems tend to affect both engines, so twins
are less of an issue from that perspective). Witness- nearly every
commercial fishing boat ever built; offshore for sometimes a couple of
weeks and running with a single diesel. May be less true than before,
with all of the intricate comptuerization now incorporated into a
modern diesel- but I suspect in most cases a diesel would continue to
run if the electronics crapped out- just wouldn't run very well.

And of course, don't leave the dock without a VHF and a decent
antenna.

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 8, 2:28?am, "RCE" wrote:


My other personal requirement for offshore boating is a boat with twin
engines. Many disagree.

I think twins are important if you are a gas boat. Less important for
a diesel. Once you get a diesel started it will run until you shut it
off unless it overheats (entirely preventable) or is denied
combustible fuel. (Fuel problems tend to affect both engines, so twins
are less of an issue from that perspective). Witness- nearly every
commercial fishing boat ever built; offshore for sometimes a couple of
weeks and running with a single diesel. May be less true than before,
with all of the intricate comptuerization now incorporated into a
modern diesel- but I suspect in most cases a diesel would continue to
run if the electronics crapped out- just wouldn't run very well.

And of course, don't leave the dock without a VHF and a decent
antenna.


I agree with your point of diesel vs gas although modern diesels are
increasingly reliant on electronics to run. There are, however, other
propulsion system failures or accidents that could leave you dead in the
water while doing offshore cruising and/or fishing. IMO being dead in the
water, 30 or 40 miles from land in rough seas is second only to fire in
terms of danger.

Eisboch

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 8, 9:04 am, Wayne.B wrote:
On 7 Feb 2007 20:30:55 -0800, "King5899" wrote:

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,

The Sundancer 250 is a good river and bay boat but you will soon
discover that it has its limitations there also. It was not designed
as an off shore boat so it is severly weather limited for that use.

I agree with all of the previous advice: radar, liferaft, EPIRB,
kicker engine, navigation courses, SeaTow membership, etc.

In addition, I would encourage you to get a lot more experience with
the boat and its equipment. Over time you will get a much better
appreciation for what it can and can not do safely, and you will gain
experience in how to manage difficult conditions.

The Jersey shore is a dangerous place in conditions that are only
moderately severe. The inlets can have breaking seas even when the
wind is not blowing, all it takes is a large swell and an outgoing
tide. 25 foot boats get rolled and people lost every year after
getting caught by an inopportune breaking wave.

Great point. It's like working the Charlestown Breachway. Perfectly
calm day outside, six foot breakers on the tide going into.

Tough to do in a smallish boat.


Do new boaters still get all nervous about passing through Plum Gut on a
quiet day, or don't you get out that way at all?

On Feb 8, 1:36 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in ooglegroups.com...





On Feb 8, 9:04 am, Wayne.B wrote:
On 7 Feb 2007 20:30:55 -0800, "King5899" wrote:

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,

The Sundancer 250 is a good river and bay boat but you will soon
discover that it has its limitations there also. It was not designed
as an off shore boat so it is severly weather limited for that use.

I agree with all of the previous advice: radar, liferaft, EPIRB,
kicker engine, navigation courses, SeaTow membership, etc.

In addition, I would encourage you to get a lot more experience with
the boat and its equipment. Over time you will get a much better
appreciation for what it can and can not do safely, and you will gain
experience in how to manage difficult conditions.

The Jersey shore is a dangerous place in conditions that are only
moderately severe. The inlets can have breaking seas even when the
wind is not blowing, all it takes is a large swell and an outgoing
tide. 25 foot boats get rolled and people lost every year after
getting caught by an inopportune breaking wave.

Great point. It's like working the Charlestown Breachway. Perfectly
calm day outside, six foot breakers on the tide going into.

Tough to do in a smallish boat.

Do new boaters still get all nervous about passing through Plum Gut on a
quiet day, or don't you get out that way at all?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes, new boaters are nervous about the Plum Gut
and I go there all the time. It's a hop, skip and a jump
from the Stonington launch ramp at Barn Island.