Jacob Dryer
Well-Known Member
Can anyone point me toward some safety information for taking a small boat offshore?
OT: Ocean Boating
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Larry Gamble
Active Member
Check with the local US Coast Guard or Game Warden's office. They have classes and sorts of good info to help you.
I used to take a john boat inside a mile of shore, but I could still see the beach houses. That wasn't too smart but I survived it without ever having any motor problems.
As for off shore, I'm thinking 5 to 10 miles out there. We had a 26 foot similar to a Boston Whaler and it was nice. I would not take anything less than 20 feet out that far. Make sure you have a reliable motor plus a kicker motor and marine radio along with all the required safety gear. I even take my cell phone just for kicks. Back in it's day, my 3 watt, analog bag phone was an excellent choice for boating.
Speaking of not too smart things, we road jet skis from FL to the Bahamas once. I would not recommend it again as you really take a pounding plus the gas situation was very tight. We used GPS to make sure we didn't stray off course. I'm sure you can google that and find folks still doing it. Plus the machines now are more efficient than back then.
Good luck, and let us know how this turns out for you.
Larry
I used to take a john boat inside a mile of shore, but I could still see the beach houses. That wasn't too smart but I survived it without ever having any motor problems.
As for off shore, I'm thinking 5 to 10 miles out there. We had a 26 foot similar to a Boston Whaler and it was nice. I would not take anything less than 20 feet out that far. Make sure you have a reliable motor plus a kicker motor and marine radio along with all the required safety gear. I even take my cell phone just for kicks. Back in it's day, my 3 watt, analog bag phone was an excellent choice for boating.
Speaking of not too smart things, we road jet skis from FL to the Bahamas once. I would not recommend it again as you really take a pounding plus the gas situation was very tight. We used GPS to make sure we didn't stray off course. I'm sure you can google that and find folks still doing it. Plus the machines now are more efficient than back then.
Good luck, and let us know how this turns out for you.
Larry
Woppy V
Well-Known Member
hey bud what exactly are you looking to find out? how many life jackets you need? right of ways? night time running? what do you plan on doing better yet?
Jacob Dryer
Well-Known Member
Well hopefully tomarrow we are picking up a 2000 18 ft sea-doo sportster (seats 7) with a 210 hp v6.
I've been on and around boats for most of my life, but it's always been on the great lakes (since I'm a Michigan native) but now the wife and I live San Diego, CA and were thinking about heading to Catalina Island for our anniversiry. Either way I think we are going, whether we drive up to Dana Point and take a charter across or just take our boat.
It's approx 60 miles from Dana Point to the island. I do have a gps.
I'm a little nervous because everything I've read says 22ish foot or larger. But being a jetboat (nice and light) and being kind of a toy I thought it might handle it well.
I guess thats the story, any more thoughts?
I've been on and around boats for most of my life, but it's always been on the great lakes (since I'm a Michigan native) but now the wife and I live San Diego, CA and were thinking about heading to Catalina Island for our anniversiry. Either way I think we are going, whether we drive up to Dana Point and take a charter across or just take our boat.
It's approx 60 miles from Dana Point to the island. I do have a gps.
I'm a little nervous because everything I've read says 22ish foot or larger. But being a jetboat (nice and light) and being kind of a toy I thought it might handle it well.
I guess thats the story, any more thoughts?
John Barnes
Member
Do not do it. If you are asking this question, you are not ready to cross the shipping lanes between San Diego and Avalon.
An 18 foot boat is pretty small for the big water of the Pacific, especially if you have no experience with the boat. One minor failure could become a life threatening emergency.
I have made the crossing many times from Dana Point with my 27 foot sailboat and have seen conditions change rapidly. I also know that even between SD and Avalon there is very little traffic and if you become stranded, you probably will not see another boat.
Then there is the mooring issue: You cannot reserve a mooring in Avalon, so it is first come first serve. This time of year it will be tough to get one, so you may be turned away and have to return to the mainland without ever getting off the boat.
I would do the trip across from Dana Point on a passenger vessel until you have had a chance to get up to speed on offshore boating....
Fair winds to you!
An 18 foot boat is pretty small for the big water of the Pacific, especially if you have no experience with the boat. One minor failure could become a life threatening emergency.
I have made the crossing many times from Dana Point with my 27 foot sailboat and have seen conditions change rapidly. I also know that even between SD and Avalon there is very little traffic and if you become stranded, you probably will not see another boat.
Then there is the mooring issue: You cannot reserve a mooring in Avalon, so it is first come first serve. This time of year it will be tough to get one, so you may be turned away and have to return to the mainland without ever getting off the boat.
I would do the trip across from Dana Point on a passenger vessel until you have had a chance to get up to speed on offshore boating....
Fair winds to you!
I used to live in Orange County and have made several trips to the island via the ferry. The waves can get pretty choppy and for a small boat, you'd risk the chance of flipping it in those kind of conditions. I wouldn't risk the chance if I was you......how far can you swim? Then there is the chance of sharks to deal with as well.
If you must take your boat out on the Pacific, stay close to the mainland and see how well your boat handles the tide. But keep in mind surf conditions can become much ruffer further out at sea. Also, if you decide to take the risk, make sure you stay close enough to another boat making the trip so they can save you if something goes wrong both across and back.
If you must take your boat out on the Pacific, stay close to the mainland and see how well your boat handles the tide. But keep in mind surf conditions can become much ruffer further out at sea. Also, if you decide to take the risk, make sure you stay close enough to another boat making the trip so they can save you if something goes wrong both across and back.
Jacob Dryer
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys, not what I wanted to hear, but I guess it's what I needed hear which is more important.
Rich Stevens
Active Member
Go to PWCToday.com and check the links for GPS and the forum threads. You should have no problem on a back and forth trip. Guys are doing the trip on a daily basis on Waverunners. Check out the race there and back, I think it was held two weeks ago. Boats, Waverunners and a gigantic ocean festival.
When your on the site scroll down to Shaun Alladios subforum titled Heavy Water. she tows surfers into sixty foot monsters and holds safety classes all over the country for fire departments and other municipal safety agencies.
I think that most of her info could apply to your situation. Be safe, GPS, marine radio, all of the proper safety gear and some extra and you should be okay. Email me if you need more links as I have a ton of them....Enjoy and nice watercraft by the way.
When your on the site scroll down to Shaun Alladios subforum titled Heavy Water. she tows surfers into sixty foot monsters and holds safety classes all over the country for fire departments and other municipal safety agencies.
I think that most of her info could apply to your situation. Be safe, GPS, marine radio, all of the proper safety gear and some extra and you should be okay. Email me if you need more links as I have a ton of them....Enjoy and nice watercraft by the way.
John Barnes
Member
Rich,
I am not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but I actually knew a guy that crossed from Dana Poit to Avalon on a PWC with a friend. They got hit by a rogue wave, one guy broke his arm, they became disoriented, did not have a radio, compass, or GPS, and could not find the coast. Fortunately, they saw a Catalina Flyer on the horizon and managed to follow it to Newport Beach.... Very, very lucky.
The race over and back is supervised and includes boats that are there to insure participant safety.
A solo crossing between SD and Avalon is a whole different story. The ships are moving 30 - 35 knots through the shipping lanes, and they cannot manuever or stop quickly. Fog is a real possibility at any time, and rough water, that could swamp an 18 foot boat, can develop quickly.
My point is the open ocean is very, very unforgiving. A light weight 18 foot boat that is designed for daytime use on relatively tame water with an inexperienced skipper and crew is a recipe for possible disaster... One mistake could kill. I would hate to see that happen to a member of this site.
John
I am not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but I actually knew a guy that crossed from Dana Poit to Avalon on a PWC with a friend. They got hit by a rogue wave, one guy broke his arm, they became disoriented, did not have a radio, compass, or GPS, and could not find the coast. Fortunately, they saw a Catalina Flyer on the horizon and managed to follow it to Newport Beach.... Very, very lucky.
The race over and back is supervised and includes boats that are there to insure participant safety.
A solo crossing between SD and Avalon is a whole different story. The ships are moving 30 - 35 knots through the shipping lanes, and they cannot manuever or stop quickly. Fog is a real possibility at any time, and rough water, that could swamp an 18 foot boat, can develop quickly.
My point is the open ocean is very, very unforgiving. A light weight 18 foot boat that is designed for daytime use on relatively tame water with an inexperienced skipper and crew is a recipe for possible disaster... One mistake could kill. I would hate to see that happen to a member of this site.
John
Rich Stern
Well-Known Member
JD, that boat can make that trip if piloted by someone with the correct experience. Human beings have been crossing much larger stretches of open water in far less capable craft. The issue is whether you have the experience to make the right choices that get you there safely; and some of that experience should be in that type of boat
A good understanding of the local weather patterns, wind, and water conditions are important for a trip like that. And even so, since Murphy is almost always an invisible extra passenger, you need backup planning. Communications (marine VHF, cell phone). A good chart. A reliable compass. A GPS. Tools, spares, saftey gear, a good anchor, lots of line, and some basic supplies for emergencies.
Also, that particular boat has a couple of shortcoming relative to the trip: Very limited range. You don't have much margin for anything other than a straight trip. You'd need to take on fuel at Catalina to make the return trip. It's also got a hull that will beat you up in anything more than very light chop. At an efficient cruising speed (30 to 35 mph), would you both be able to withstand the pounding and noise for a two hour trip. Some people get seasick in those conditions and two hours is an enternity if you are seasick.
Take the charter this time, and build up some experience with the new boat.
A good understanding of the local weather patterns, wind, and water conditions are important for a trip like that. And even so, since Murphy is almost always an invisible extra passenger, you need backup planning. Communications (marine VHF, cell phone). A good chart. A reliable compass. A GPS. Tools, spares, saftey gear, a good anchor, lots of line, and some basic supplies for emergencies.
Also, that particular boat has a couple of shortcoming relative to the trip: Very limited range. You don't have much margin for anything other than a straight trip. You'd need to take on fuel at Catalina to make the return trip. It's also got a hull that will beat you up in anything more than very light chop. At an efficient cruising speed (30 to 35 mph), would you both be able to withstand the pounding and noise for a two hour trip. Some people get seasick in those conditions and two hours is an enternity if you are seasick.
Take the charter this time, and build up some experience with the new boat.
Rich Stevens
Active Member
I didn't mean to steer you in the wrong direction regarding this trip. My utmost concern is that you do it safely. Whether that means more water time in your craft or anything that makes it doable. Perhaps with a couple of boats to back ech other up, spare gas and other equipment.
Make sure first of all that you receive the proper education on small boat handling and learn how to deal with emergencies. Nothing is more important than you safety as your lives will be on the line should anything catastrophic occur.
Anyway, all advice given above was right on the money and should you decide to undertake the crossing fill us in for sure.
Also, for Mountain Trac: no offense taken as I didn't think you were trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. We all are trying to avoid have some mountainous waves make JD visit DJs locker.
Make sure first of all that you receive the proper education on small boat handling and learn how to deal with emergencies. Nothing is more important than you safety as your lives will be on the line should anything catastrophic occur.
Anyway, all advice given above was right on the money and should you decide to undertake the crossing fill us in for sure.
Also, for Mountain Trac: no offense taken as I didn't think you were trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. We all are trying to avoid have some mountainous waves make JD visit DJs locker.
Paul Maurer 2
Well-Known Member
As an ocean going boater who has done the Bahamas, I would not recommend the trip. Your boat has a hull designed for smooth water, only a single engine and the water is cold. Conditions offshore can change very quickly and rough water would put you in serious difficulty. I would only consider the trip as part of a flotilla of larger, dual engine vessels. I was fishing by the Tortugas(70 miles out) several years ago and one of my engines failed. It was a slow, miserable 10 hour journey home in a 31 footer at 8 knots....
Chris Taylor
Well-Known Member
For more info and training in your area, you might look up the local US Power Squadron. They have courses for small boating that tend to be specific to the area they are in. I've taken one on the Great Lakes and one a long time ago on the Southern Oregon coast. The basics were the same, but the specifics for the different seas were quite different.
