Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Ric232 on 09/15/08 - 4:51 PM

Who's gone the farthest? I'm itchin' to go about 10 miles. I know that doesn't break any records but it would make me nervous enough to turn around at the 10 mile mark and come straight back. Fortunately, I'd only burn about 2 out of 6.6 gallons. Too bad I don't have twin 20hp motors. That would take some of the edge off the trip.

Edited by Ric232 on 09/15/08 - 5:41 PM

Posted by Binkie on 09/15/08 - 5:28 PM

If it makes you nervous don`t go. If your just trying t set a personal record don`t go. The enjoyment of a boat trip is not how far you can get offshore. If thats where the fish or the dive area is then go by all means. If you don`t think your outboard is capable of running for 20 miles then just stay close to the ramp. Years ago I`d take my family, wife and two small kids snorkeling out to Pennnekamp reef, with out even thinking about it. about 7 miles offshore. I`m not going to tell you that the 13` Whaler is a capable boat. the capable part is in the hands of the operator.

rich

Posted by kamie on 09/15/08 - 7:01 PM

Ric,
you will give out long before the boat, but remember if something happens the boat doesn't need water, food or shelter. You on the other hand do and none of those are in great supply on a 13 foot boat. Have people ventured out into the ocean in 13 foot whalers, sure and even lived to tell about it, but if the though makes you nervous, don't go. Remember what they say, it's not the weather you go out in but the weather you come on in, that matters.

Posted by moose on 09/15/08 - 7:58 PM

Ric,
I've been 5 miles out into the gulf on a good day with an eye on the weather. We caught fish and headed in as the clouds formed onshore. It was a good trip with no problems. That doesn't mean they all are. I would really pick my day to go farther than that. On another forum I read a post of someone that used two 6 gal tanks and made a run to the bahamas from Florida in a 13. I know a guy that did it in a 17. Youth is really something.
Mike

Posted by CES on 09/16/08 - 4:33 AM

Think twice about doing that....like Moose said above, youth is really something. I pulled some crazy crap when I lived in Pompano Beach Florida as a kid in my boat and lived to tell about it. Trust your gut feeling and don't go.

Posted by howard Werner on 09/16/08 - 5:44 AM

#10

So the wife and I were on Block Island one day sitting in an outdoor coffee joint and I start talkin to this guy sittin there. I had just bought the 18' Outrage and I was feeling like I might want to try the run from Point Judith to Block one day. This guy and I are talkin and he tells me the story of when he was a kid he took his little sister in their "tin boat" across the sound to Point Judith to go to the candy store that was owned by their Uncle. Of course your 13' is far from a tin boat. Anyways, they showed up on the mainland at the candy store and their uncle called over to his brother on the island and said " I have your kids here" Needless to say Dad was not to happy. I think that this guy I was talking to still walks with a limp from the woopin he got from his dad.

I still have not made the 15 mile run in the 18' Outrage. We have gone about half way. I am sure that we will make it all the way one day but until I am confident in my abilities I am not going to Block Island for all the tea in china except on the ferry like we did that day.

Good luck and be safe.

Howard

Edited by howard Werner on 09/16/08 - 5:59 AM

Posted by Blue_Northern on 09/16/08 - 7:28 AM

#11

Moose - You should know about this run. I took my 17 from Biloxi to the Chandeluer Islands -- the total run is about 35 miles with 15 or so being over open ocean. Coming back was a little hairy as the weather was less than perfect. I had no issue with the distance but if I go again it will be from Shell Beach Louisiana. The run is longer but you never get in the deep gulf waters.

Posted by Ric232 on 09/16/08 - 7:34 AM

#12

Wow, I was expecting this crowd to talk me into it !! Since virtually everbody is discouraging it, it must REALLY be a bad idea. Well, in that case I'll just wait for a nice day, scoot out through the inlet and make a short run down the beach and back (Atlantic), just to do it.

Posted by Ed Lim on 09/16/08 - 7:57 AM

#13

Ric, remember that no matter how good the weather is,bad conditions can come up really fast. Also, if you are determined to try it someday, do what we do out here on the Pacific: partner up for saftey. I've been out to the Farallon Islands(26 mi) on small skiffs, but not alone! We usually have 3-4 boats in our group just in case something goes wrong with one of the boats. And remember, no matter how calm the weather, a small boat can get lost in a thick fog(we have lots). Carry a radio and compass.
Regards, Ed

Posted by Binkie on 09/16/08 - 10:26 AM

#16

Of course folks have gone further offshore in vehicles a lot less seaworthy than a 13 ft. Whaler. Personally I don`t like to go deeper than I can anchor. Living on the Florida Gulf coast is not much of a problem. Its 65` deep at 50 miles. Actually in Central Florida where I am now, I can wade ashore from 3 miles out.

A Cuban man made headlines around the world for his bold bids to flee his native country by floating to Florida. Link to story here.

Luis Grass failed twice to reach Florida from Cuba in a floating 1951 Chevy truck and in a floating 1959 Buick car one year later. The Coast Guard stopped each attempt.

Ewald Getty photo
from Daily News

Posted by kamie on 09/16/08 - 10:34 AM

#17

Ric,
because we have boats that won't sink, doesn't make us crazy to do things beyond our ability. The previous owner of my 18 used to run from Cape May out to the canyons and back to go fishing. I have been out into the Chesapeake Bay, but not solo and not in potentially bad weather, unless you count 3 footers where I just had to zip into a protected inlet. If you feel strongly that you want to take your 13, 10 or more miles off shore, then go for it, but remember there are risks with walking out your front door. If your not comfortable then don't go, if you expected us to talk you into it, why? I wouldn't encourage you to do anything beyond your ability, because I don't know what that is, only what my ability is, and what I am comfortable with.

Posted by Ric232 on 09/16/08 - 11:11 AM

#18

Don't worry. I'm staying inland.

Funny story: My dealer told me one of his customers with a 13' regularly takes his 20 - 30 miles offshore. He leaves the motor running the whole time to eliminate the chance of it not restarting. My dealer was NOT encouraging this. He thinks the guy is crazy. But he also mentioned that the guy is military special ops. He was in the real, live "Blackhawk Down" episode in Somolia. I think that explains a lot.

Posted by scrimshaw on 09/16/08 - 12:49 PM

#19

As a high school student and member of the Sportfishing club in Fairfield , Ct we took a 13 footer from Bridgeport,Ct to Montauk Pt. N.Y. more than once. Oh! the Jesuit proctor followed in a Crosby Striper 24. One way 70 miles.
With the proper support go as far as your faith will permit.

Posted by CES on 09/16/08 - 1:01 PM

#20

My ex longtime girlfriend had a brother that took his 15' BW with a 70hp to Havana Cuba with a buddy of his. They left from Big Pine key Florida and headed south 90 miles. Their intent was to pick up a few Cuban refugees and bring them back to florida for about $10K a head. The two of them had a 55 gallon drum of fuel with them too. Needlesss to say they were stopped by a Cuban gunboat and taken into custody. Her brother spent more than two months in a Cuban jail and when he was finally released from jail, the Cubans did not give him back his 15 'BW. This took place in 1996-97 timeframe.

Posted by Yiddil on 11/15/08 - 3:38 PM

#29

I think Kamie is perfectly correct. As a carefull boater Kamie knows whats she is talking about. Many here would rah rah you to go out, and others would rah rah you to stay in.

Remember, your 13 was not designed for that kind of water ... or was it suggested anywhere in the BW lit. to strt living bigger than the boat was designed for.

I have a Nantucket and I would never put myself i harms way just to say i could boat in waters not designed for....

If you, make sure you have will:) The boat will always survive, never sure about the passengers...good luck

Posted by Turpin on 11/18/08 - 2:21 AM

#31

I've done some pretty bold things in my life (some called them dumb ) but I have to wonder where did the journey start from when headed to the Flemish Cap because otherwise it was a 350 mile cruise.

Edited by Turpin on 11/18/08 - 2:22 AM

Posted by CES on 11/18/08 - 6:00 AM

#32

If the Flemish Gap is 350 miles out at sea, he must have been in a 13 that was used as a dingy for a larger vessel. There's no way he made it out that far in a 13' alone. It all makes sense to me now.