| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
MJW
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1150
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:43 am Post subject: Boat Range |
 |
|
Had a couple questions, I just got a 171 series mako the 17' 4''. And was wondering if anyone could tell me from personal experience what her range will be in regards to offshore fishing. I realize there are the ever changing weather variables but just want any suggestions that are out there. Would really like to be able to get out as far as safely possible. Thanks in advance for the feedback.
Mike
_________________
Work hard to play harder!!!
MeetMikeandLori.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Netboy
Horse Mullet
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 184
Location: Padre Isles
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
your range will depend on 2 things,
1. What size/type motor you have (i.e. miles per gallon).
2. How big your gas tank is (# of gallons x mpg). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MJW
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1150
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
well it holds 37 gallons and has a 140hp Evinrude on her. I was thinking theres enough power there for sure but more along the lines of the boat itself being able to handle a long trip out since its one of the shorter models...or does that maybe not have much to do with it at all?? Obviously we dont wanna worry about taking on a whole bunch of water or things like that
_________________
Work hard to play harder!!!
MeetMikeandLori.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Johninaustin
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 1114
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
A 17' boat is not really an offshore boat unless you have perfect conditions. I have a 22' cuddy that is outstanding in rough water and I stay in close a lot of times, but then again I'm paranoid. I'm one of the few people I know that carries a spare motor for the kicker squirreled away in the cabin and a inflatable raft with EPIRB tied down in the bow. 
Your main problem is, 17' is adequate in great weather, but there is not a lot of wiggle room there safety-wise.
I HAVE seen folks in a 14' jon boat with a 15hp motor at the standpipes off of PA, (In 3' seas) but just because it can be done does not mean it's a good idea.
To answer your question though, I always figure 3 miles to the gallon. Use one third on the trip out, one third back, and one third in emergency reserve.
Definitely look at adding a fuel meter. It'll save a lot of guesswork and nasty surprises. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MJW
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1150
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Okay, well let me ask you this. What do you consider "Off shore" I mean once you leave the surf/bays???
_________________
Work hard to play harder!!!
MeetMikeandLori.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iflyabeech
Annavillian in Training
Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 584
Location: Annaville, Texas
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Johninaustin wrote: | A 17' boat is not really an offshore boat unless you have perfect conditions. I have a 22' cuddy that is outstanding in rough water and I stay in close a lot of times, but then again I'm paranoid. I'm one of the few people I know that carries a spare motor for the kicker squirreled away in the cabin and a inflatable raft with EPIRB tied down in the bow.
Your main problem is, 17' is adequate in great weather, but there is not a lot of wiggle room there safety-wise.
I HAVE seen folks in a 14' jon boat with a 15hp motor at the standpipes off of PA, (In 3' seas) but just because it can be done does not mean it's a good idea.
To answer your question though, I always figure 3 miles to the gallon. Use one third on the trip out, one third back, and one third in emergency reserve.
Definitely look at adding a fuel meter. It'll save a lot of guesswork and nasty surprises. |
My thoughts exactly.
_________________
http://www.thirdcoastoutdoors.com
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Johninaustin
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 1114
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| MJW wrote: | | Okay, well let me ask you this. What do you consider "Off shore" I mean once you leave the surf/bays??? |
Anything beyond the end of the jetty. I told ya, I'm paranoid.
I'm not trying to talk down to you or be insulting, but offshore is serious stuff. It kills some folks every year.
I'm turning 50 here soon. I've been going offshore out of Port A in one boat or another since I was 17. (Before GPS we used compasses and charts) Towed in many a guy that broke down for one reason or another. Mostly, they run out of gas trying to guesstimate their fuel consumption.
(One guy was lost. Found him 26 miles out without a compass or GPS. He'd been hopping from one rig to another and gotten turned around. His wife was NOT amused when I told them that they had been heading AWAY from land)
I've even picked up people that spent the night hanging onto a line tied to a rig after their brand new SeaPro sank in perfect weather.
You are no doubt a great guy, but you have this new boat and no idea of what it's capable of. Might I suggest you spend a bit in the bays getting to know and understand your new boat?
Heck, go on over to Lake Travis and run that boat with a full tank a few times and then see what the average number of gallons you use per hour/miles is. That's a good baseline to start with.
If you don't want to do that, might I suggest you go out with another experienced boater and keep the first trips short?
Something to keep in mind is, offshore trips are RARELY in a straight line. Normally you'll zig-zag all over the place searching for fish. The result is that you'll be say, 10 miles off the jetty but you have travelled 30 miles all told. Especially true if you troll. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gib
Member White Shrimper Boot Club
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 944
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject: jetties |
|
|
Be careful at the end of the jetties. This can be the most dangerous part of the trip.
Take it easy going out, and be sure to come in with the waves. If waves are traveling in a north to south direction - washing up against the south jetty - enter the channel from the north side.
Reason being if you try to correct once you are in them, you could potentially at some point catch the boat sideways in the waves, and this is not a good thing.
Ride a wave in; otherwise you stand a chance of burying your front end into the water.
With your size boat and motor, you will have some good range for offshore, but I would not go more than 20 to 25 miles, and only on a good day such as late summer.
Hope this helps. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Uncle D
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 1645
Location: Third Coast
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Also something to consider is weight. When you test run, load your boat as if you will be running offshore. I had a 140 and they can use a lot of fuel with a heavy load. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MJW
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1150
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Guys, thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated. Johninaustin no harm no foul. I know that there are a ton of intracacies to the boating world and you are just trying make me aware.
So bottom line would i be correct in saying that the 17 footer will be able to go out as far as the fuel capacity will allow. With experience in navigating such vessel???
_________________
Work hard to play harder!!!
MeetMikeandLori.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iflyabeech
Annavillian in Training
Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 584
Location: Annaville, Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| MJW wrote: | Guys, thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated. Johninaustin no harm no foul. I know that there are a ton of intracacies to the boating world and you are just trying make me aware.
So bottom line would i be correct in saying that the 17 footer will be able to go out as far as the fuel capacity will allow. With experience in navigating such vessel??? |
Not really, I think thats what everyone has been trying to tell ya!
_________________
http://www.thirdcoastoutdoors.com
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Fish Chaser
Finger Mullet
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 40
Location: San Antonio
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| My 19 foot Whaler has a 60 gal. fuel tank. I normally get 3 mpg when running offshore. Even though I have a 180 mile range I would never go farther than 30-35 miles offshore and that's with GPS navigation, marine radio and a friend following in another well equiped boat and good weather. Too many things can go wrong and I've had a few minor issues before. Problems can be rather stressful when all you can see is water for miles in every direction. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MJW
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1150
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: jetties |
|
|
| Gib wrote: | Be careful at the end of the jetties. This can be the most dangerous part of the trip.
Take it easy going out, and be sure to come in with the waves. If waves are traveling in a north to south direction - washing up against the south jetty - enter the channel from the north side.
Reason being if you try to correct once you are in them, you could potentially at some point catch the boat sideways in the waves, and this is not a good thing.
Ride a wave in; otherwise you stand a chance of burying your front end into the water.
With your size boat and motor, you will have some good range for offshore, but I would not go more than 20 to 25 miles, and only on a good day such as late summer.
Hope this helps. |
Thank you this helped tremendously. What i was looking for.
_________________
Work hard to play harder!!!
MeetMikeandLori.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CopanoCruisin
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 22 Apr 2006
Posts: 1064
Location: West shore of Copano Bay
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sometimes I am so confused!!!!!!! Why is it that always when things go south in the really big boats, everyone seem to get in little ole boats?
Just some food for thought................. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Fish0157
Flour Bluffian in training
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 278
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
im sure this has been stated but in case it hasnt remember to abide by the 1/3 rule.
33% out
33% back
33% trolling/reserve
I suggest you might try to sabiki up some hardtails and troll them close in for kings for some good times. but safe at the same time |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
