Another Newb ? on which boat to buy

Trojan ?

Another boat not often mentioned that was heavily built and offered a lot for the money is a Trojan Express cruiser 10.8 meter or 11 meter. Large cockpits for fishing, sizable and comfortable [express type] cabins. I had an 11 m with 454 gas that cruised at 16 kts (downhill), but some also had diesels. I'd think about getting comfortable coastal-wise well before thinking about taking the family 40-60 m offshore.

50-60 miles is a LONG way offshore. We have the canyon up here. DK if you have any reason to go that far. Get plenty of experience before trying. Keep in mind those 4 football players last year, 3 of whom died, in the gulf off Florida. Good luck.

NYCAP, the gulf is a little different. If you plan to do any fishing at all, you do have to venture offshore a ways. We're on a coastal plain here that extends out quite almost 60 miles. I do agree about running her in Galveston Bay/Clear Lake for a while before any longer trips. Besides, there's LOTS to see in our humble bay!


Lots2learn, South Shore Harbour is hosting a big in water boat show in Sept. Lot's of different styles of boats to crawl around on. Don't miss it.

Unless they were carrying spare tanks, most 24' boats have a cruise speed range of about 7 hours. That's about 140 nm. Subtract the emergency 1/3 (rule of 1/3's) leaves a range of 93nm. Divided by 2 (there and back) means that boat should be no further than 46.5 nm from their home dock (not just off shore) minus however long they intend to be fishing. That's a long way of saying that, unless they were carrying a good bit of extra fuel, they had no business being out that far. Some boats just don't belong in the deep water.

My neighbor and his buds went out to the canyon last week from Moriches, NY in his 23' Contender. They spent 3 days and 2 nights sloshing around in 6' nasty seas and got skunked. If the white's or the big tuna were there (and not laughing at them) they'd probably still be out there. Fishermen are crazy and lucky. We'll all keep a good thought for your neighbors. There's still time.

new to offshore

Hi and welcome to offshore fishing. I fish out of Port Aransas in the Gulf, and have much the same conditions you do. I am a retired Airline Pilot and have spent my entire career considering risk factors and management thereof. My first offshore boat was a 25' Grady White Sailfish with outboards, which was capable of safely running 50 miles out ON A NICE DAY and returning home with adequate fuel reserves. Another consideration is that the offshore environment can be a hazardous one, you are a long way from home, there is very little help out there, and communication to rescue is hard. The concept is one of redundancy. Anything can and will break, so make sure you have at least 2 of the vital items to get you home..ie..engines, nav sets, etc. Carrry battery powered backups for comm and nav in case of loss of electrics..$30K for an offshore budget will buy a pretty old boat, and in the salt air, subsystems and electronics typically last about 10 years max and need replacement..fairly expensive..It can be done, but spend the time and effort to research this well before pulling the trigger..good luck and have fun.

I'm enjoying my Bertram 28 and it's great value to be sure ... but too small for the kind of comfort my family (wife, 2 kids ... 3 dogs and a cat) wants in the long run.

I want this!

http://www.**************/boats/1984/Bertram-Convertible-1983374/Orange-Beach/AL/United-States

And to keep the Bertram 28 too!

Mike

"Bertram 28" "(wife, 2 kids ... 3 dogs and a cat)"? What happens when the mother in law comes along?

Hi,

Lots2learn- You might want to have a look at thisd if you haven't caught it on the news.

The sea can be cruel and unforgiving to those who do not pay attention to what is going on around them.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/2816350/Texas-boaties-rescued-after-a-week-at-sea

Told (post 29) there was still time. Those good thoughts must have helped. Good to hear one turned out well.

I know ... not sure if the 800's are big enough ... if she falls overboard, I don't want anybody to hear her scream

No ... just kidding ... mother in law is great, it's her daughter that's the boat hater!

Mike

Bert 28,

Well, if you want a 54' Bertram you can have mine!

newer, faster, and cheaper than the one you linked, too.