---

Looking @ 73 17FT. CAN THIS BOAT GO OFFSHORE ~ 15MIL IN GULF OF MAINE TO PLAY WITH LITTLE TUNA

---

I would in 2 to 3 but no more then that.
It can get nasty in maine fast.
But you wont sink.

---

Can it ? Yes, it can also roll over, and Capsize, Pitch pole, Etc., I would NOT go into the ocean in anything less than 22', I'm not familiar with the Gulf of Maine at all, so I don't know it's conditions. On "Long Island", our ocean contains Great White sharks, Whales, Tropical Fish, and everything else found in the ocean, I would'nt do it. I have seen 17 footers out there, and 15 footers, even 13 footers, and although, I think that "Whalers" are superior to any boat in it's size class, it has "LIMITS", A good rule of thumb to follow on the water is "NEVER push your boat past it's limits", Give "Search and Rescue" the day off. Stay Safe, keep that P.F.D on always.

mw

---

lg,
welcome to the forum. I assume your talking about the standard 16 foot hull? I would be more concerned about the current engine than the hull, as long as it's sound. 15 miles doesn't seem like a long way out but when the things turn ugly, even 1 mile is a long way to go. If the boat has newer power and you pick your days, I would say you should be fine.

---

You should probably listen to all these guys above.

But I will tell you I take our 17ft Montauk 15-20 miles out down in the keys for diving and fishing trips. I'm very confident on my abilities to operate in the off-shore environment(20 years living on the ocean and you learn a thing or 2) the key is you need to be observant and you need to study the weather like a hawk. Make sure before you leave the weather channel isn't expecting any storm activity in the area. Make sure you tell people where you are going, so they know where to look for you, make sure to bring extra fuel, and other supplies especially a VHF radio and GPS. Most importantly bring your head. as stated before things can get rough quick, and you need to know how to deal with these situations quickly like water over the bow or capsizing.

I believe you just have to be crazy to do it. Thats what most people tell me when I tell them how far I take the montauk out some days.

Also its very important to make sure you motor is in pristine condition. Its a long way home if the motor fails. and a small kicker isn't gonna get you that far fast enough if trouble does arrive, and currents can drag you further out.

Best Advice is to just use your head, and don't operate outside of you or your boats operating limits.

---

LJ

Welcome!

I am an hour north of you and the answer is ....it depends.

- As I am sure you know, a Boston Whaler can take more punishment than you can stand.
- The weather is really fickle out there. I have seen days were the near coast is terrible, while off shore (+2 miles out) is really nice.
- How much discomfort are you willing to tolerate. A pre-smirk 17 rides rougher than the post-smirk. Having had a 1987 Montauk, there were many days that were uncomfortable. I now have a Outrage 17 I and it helps. I don't go more than 5 miles offshore and only when conditions are good.
- I think a 20+ ft is the minimum length for Gulf of Maine with a kicker for safety. If conditions go to crap, you can get through it.
- While a 17 could do it, I would not think of doing it for a minute.

Just one opinion.

---

Thank - you all for your information. I will look for a larger whaler. Thanks again.

---

If you really want to go 15+ miles out, look for an 18 Outrage. A much bigger boat than the 17 foot hulls, deeper V and a 63 gallon built in fuel tank make for softer ride and better range.

---

LJ,

Another model that is overlooked by many is the Outrage 17' II...

This model has a softer ride than my Outrage 18' in offshore use...
I owned one of these models in the past.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...album_id=4

I know of a person who owned one of these and took it 40 + miles offshore for tuna all the time.

---

sorry..still new here.. "pre-smirk" and "post-smirk" ?????

---

Is that since mercury bought them? did i answer my own question or just dig myself further into NOOBness?

---

Depending upon how far offshore you want to go....you can also look at the 17' Outrage I...it's a really nice riding hull, 36 gallon fuel tank, rated for 120hp and with the super sized console, you have more storage than a basic montauk...plus with the V hull, it rides nicer than the other style...just another option...there's a few people on the forum that have them and love them...

It looks like you've got some nice options...just take your time and you'll find the right whaler for you...but when you find her, don't wait because there might be someone wanting to take a look at her right after you leave...

Dave

---

Sorry about the confusion.

Some refer to the different generations of hull designs as non-smirk, smirk and accutrac (current)

The hull on the 17's changed around 1980 ish to give a better ride. One way you can tell is looking straight at the bow. (see my personal page) My boat has the smirk. Any Outrage 18, up to 1991 (I think) will have the smirk. In 1991, or there abouts, they listed the model as a 19' and redesigned the deck/console.

Regardless of year, any Outrage 18, 19, 20 or 22 will suit you well. Joe's Outrage 17 II has the accutrack hull and is a big improvement over my Outrage 17 I.

If you browse the various owner pages, you can see the differences.

Hope this helps.

---

All Whalers have there place in the line up.
It just depends on what you want or need from your Whaler.

Here is a visual size comparison of a 1977 Montauk with the 'smirked' hull and a newer 1996 Outrage 17' II with the Accu-trac hull.

It depends on which boat you would feel more comfortable in going offshore 15 miles....
That Outrage 17' II has a really big deep "V" as compared to the Montauk.

[img]http://www.whalercentral.com/images/size_comparison/bill%26steve.jpg[/img]

The Outrage 17' I is somewhere between the 2 Whalers in the above photo..

---

Joe - That is a great comparison photo!

---

Thank-you all for your info on 17ft offshore use.


LJ

---

I know your question has been answered, but just to add a final comment.

I have been in the Chesapeake Bay many times and offshore in NJ several times with my 1970 katama (16'). What I have found is when the wind shifts and picks up and swell gets real nasty, my whaler is okay but a very wet and a hair raising ride home. The big issue becomes, can I make it back with the fuel I have, going only 6mph, dodging big swell. Imaging being 3+ miles offshore and knowing you will run out of fuel with a boat and motor that runs fine.

Good luck with your decision.

John

---

I just got back from a trip to the Shrewsbury Rocks, about 9 miles north of the Shark River Inlet...no, it's not "offshore" but it was my first real "long" trip in my 17' Outrage...the seas were about 2-3'ers...the boat handled flawlessly...we didn't catch much fish that day but what the heck, it was a beautiful day on the water with my kids, what more could I ask? I decided to run a little test...I had an auxillary tank (about 5.5 gallons) that I was running on...I wanted to see how economical my 1991 120hp Johnson was...I was able to get about 9 miles from where I put in to when I ran out of fuel...switched over tanks and off I went...having that internal fuel tank is great...and makes adding additional fuel tanks easy...just put them under the RPS!

Looks like next year I'll be planning some trips farther "offshore"...stretching my legs out there to see how the boat handles...more like how will I handle it! My guess is, on a good day, a 10 mile run to the mud hole might be a decent trip...

---

LJ,

JUST WENT OFSHORE OF HALFMOON BAY THIS PAST WEEKEND WITH MY 17 MONTAUK AND IT WAS A 45 MIN. ROUGH RIDE BOTH WAYS WITH 3-4 FT WAVES EVERY 3-5 SECONDS :o.NO FISH WAS CAUGHT :( DUE TO THE CONDITIONS. IT IS POSIBLE TO TAKE A 17 FT. OUT BUT LIKE WHAT EVERYBODY SAYS USE YOUR HEAD AND BE SAFE.HAVE ALL THE SAFETY MATERIALS NEEDED.AND GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILY.THERE ARE PLENTY OF DAYS AND LOTS OF WATER AND FISH ;) GOOD LUCK :D

---

A good rule of thumb to follow when talking about taking your boat offshore:

Count the number of engines, Divide by 2... If you come up with a fraction, don't go out!

---

Here's a quick read...food for thought...I've always believed the more information you have about a subject, the better informed you are and your decisions will be made on sound advice...

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/articl...p?ID=21436