Heading Outside For The 1st Time In My Vessel

[luffyjnr]

Hey All, confident enough in my new vessel after getting out as often as possible - belting around Brissy Waters and the Hawkesbury. I would like to head offshore for the 1st time. I would feel much better if I could accompany another vessel.

I have a Allison BayRunner 5 with a 50hp 4 stroke on the back, 60lt fuel capacity, does'nt fly but gets along well enough and is very economical, just under 5m long.

I have used this for reference => http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/sbh/safetyequipment.html#Open

Would anyone be heading out from Hawkesbury area in the next month or so and I could tag along for that reassurance on the water.

I am not sure how far, she compfortably does 20-25 knots ( think, running of GPS).

So if you have any recommendations, suggestions that'd be tops!

Thanks,

Luffy..

[Yarraone]

Hi mate I would love to read how you did with your boat outside....Your boat looks tops by the way I am also keen to take mine outside and would be interested in what people that go outside think of a boat that is around the 5m length.. Mine has a 90hp mercury....

this is my boat.. So if people think it would be safe with yours then I have nothing to worry about..

let us know how you did

[Flightmanager]

With a boat of that size , the prevalent weather conditions , as well as the expected weather and sea conditions will determine how safe it is for you outside.

How far out were you thinking of going? If only to Long Reef or somewhere similar, you would proably be OK . If heading further out , I think a few more horsepower might be advisable.

Ross

[pelican]

Big consideration is transon height and how well a boat rides at rest in different swells regardless of length. Low transoms and boats with not much freeboard which move a lot can get swamped very fast and no bilge pump will save them.

Like the others it is relly hard to give any advice as so much also depends on the captains experience as it is easy to put even the correct boat in a bad position let alone a boat that possibly shouln't be out there and as Ross mentions the decision of when to leave or turn back is often a critical factor. Going with another boat of similar size adds some comfort but if the worst was to happen if weather blew in two little ones don't make a bigger boat and if one gets in serious sinking trouble they other will be hard pressed to give a lot of support as it would be overloaded.

If it doesn't feel comfortable with your level of experience when you stick your nose out it is a pretty good indicator that it isn't going to be any better further out.

One thing we used to do is always run into the direction any weather would be likely to come from as that way if it did come in or comes in stronger you are going with it not hammering against it on the way home

Edited March 1, 2009 by pelican

[Yarraone]

Thanks for the help guy's it will be a while before I will tempt the deep yet..But could anyone suggest maybe the best spot to start temping the depth's ...

I quite regulary do The hawksberry,Botany Bay and sydney harbour, But would anyone consider anywhere else up or down the coast from Sydney that may be better for the first timer outside? (weather permiting)

Stay safe

[bb4life]

Thanks for the help guy's it will be a while before I will tempt the deep yet..But could anyone suggest maybe the best spot to start temping the depth's ...

I quite regulary do The hawksberry,Botany Bay and sydney harbour, But would anyone consider anywhere else up or down the coast from Sydney that may be better for the first timer outside? (weather permiting)

Stay safe

mate you should try just outside the heads, to the south, i was directly opposite bondi beach and there is a huge flattie ground there, we caught about 50 flatties in 3 hours, some over 1m, only had a 20ft boat, looks a bit like yours. try there

[Yarraone]

mate you should try just outside the heads, to the south, i was directly opposite bondi beach and there is a huge flattie ground there, we caught about 50 flatties in 3 hours, some over 1m, only had a 20ft boat, looks a bit like yours. try there

hey thanks That sounds excellent that will be next trip I think

[luffyjnr]

I like the suggestion of if you stick your nose out and don't feel comfortable then don't go any further.. I think I'll stick with that practice.

She seems to handle the swell pretty well, I have had her outside box head on the northern side of the hawkesbury mouth. I will venture a little further out each time, see how things go.

I think I'll be upgrading to a 75 or 90hp evinrude next year, which will give me a bit more comfort.

In regards to transom height, I'm not sure if mine is good or bad in a swell. She has a pod out the back that the motor is attached to, with board either side, make a hell of a noise when anchored up in a swell, slappin the water.

thanks all for your responses

Luffy....