Looking for Opinions - 250 CCP

[Evan337]

About three years ago my father and I bought a 250 CCP with twin 150 Evinrude Fichts. It has an enclosed transom with a bracket. We have been fishing the Louisiana gulf coast - primarily around Grand Isle and towards the west delta area of the Mississippi River. We target speckle trout, redfish, red snapper, mangrove snapper, lemon fish, etc. We have gone as far as 15 - 20 miles offshore.

My questions is how comfortable would you be in taking a 250 CCP 50+ miles offshore? Anyone have any experience going that far out in a CCP model? I really want to target tuna and to do that from the Grand Isle part of the south Louisiana Gulf coast you have to go 50+ miles to get to deeper, cooler water.

We have run in pretty calm seas to this point but my feeling is that this hull can take some pretty rough seas if needed. What's the roughest seas you have run in with the same hull/ comparable hull?

We burn about 1.5 gallons per mile so our fuel range should allow us to make a 75 - 80 mile round trip. Am I crazy wanting to make that long of a run with this boat?

[Capt. Bob]

When sea conditions are right, you can go that far in a Jon boat.

The CCP was the hull made for extended trips in the Atlantic and  I made many 25-30 one way dolphin trips in South Fla with my 222. The 250 would handle that and given a sound hull, I would not hesitate if.....

The forecast is favorable.

Bimini is about 60 miles off the coast and people make that run (one way) quite often with smaller craft.

We have members here that do it in the Gulf in slightly smaller models and the same size too. I would be most concerned with my power plant first, once I knew the hull itself.

Good luck.

[gran398]

Back in the eighties I mated on a 250 CCP running twin 115 Yammies  (am sure the guys have had a bellyful hearing about this boat )

It is an excellent ride, fast with small V-4 twins, high freeboard, very forgiving in a seaway, and quite capable of taking you guys as far offshore as you care to venture. As Bob advises, pick your days. Dome of static high-pressure above, light winds, slight seas. But, if necessary....will run like a champ in a heavy slop.

Went 65 miles straight offshore in the Atlantic on the 250 CCP "Dream Lady" for yellowfin tuna when she was new. Beautiful boat,  the pride of the Wrightsville Beach, NC center console fleet back then....and a looker still

[slvrlng]

you might consider port Eads marina it is open now at the southern end of the Mississippi. That will shorten your ride considerably. it is 25 miles south of Venice they do have a gas dock there and rooms. Using this as a starting point the closest rigs are only 7 miles for snapper and such. If you want tuna you only need another 30 miles and you are at pretonius.
check it out, we are planning a trip there soon.
www.porteads.com

[wingtime]

With the proper safety gear on-board... I'd have no problems running that far out in that boat.

[Evan337]

Thanks for the replies.

As far as the engines go we have them dialed in at this point. They gave us some problems initially but I blame most of that on the previous owner and the poor quality outboard mechanic we had working on the engines for the first year and a half of ownership. They have been reliable this summer and since we re-propped a single engine can get us on plain and back home. For as much bad pub as the Evinrude Fichts receive there is some upside. They are quiet, light on fuel consumption, the power and responsiveness has been adequate to good. Once you figure out their sensitivities and how to manage them they perform well in my opinion.

I'm not really looking to go out in 4 - 6 foot seas but we have had some really calm days this summer. So calm that at times there is not even a ripple on the water. Those are the days I would like to get after the Tuna and make a 50+ mile run. Having a boat that could handle heavier seas just gives you a little more peace of mind.

What in your opinion is the proper safety gear? I have been looking at adding some items to our gear. Particularly a gps emergency beacon and maybe some type of quick inflatable raft. I never really feel that unsafe/ alone in the water when we are offshore because every where you look there is a rig, a crew boat, a helicopter, other recreation fishing boats, etc. Also the radio activity out there is non-stop. So it's not like you are alone in the open ocean. The oil and gas industry as well as the recreation and commercial fishing industry makes the gulf its own city of sorts with lots of human activity.

[Bergertime]

Its great that you have that much activity around you that is well within VHF range...  If you are going out that far I would have the following at a minimum (beyond normal coast guard stuff):

New and working VHF setup with a quality 8ft antenna <<Test every trip via an automated radio check service or person to person.  Here in the tampa bay area we have channel 27 which is dedicated to automated checks with speak back so you can hear your transmission.>>

*ACER PLB or SPOT (Make sure you register it for free if it's a PLB.  Spot requires subscription)

Offshore life Jackets with strobes for all on board.  They are a little expensive but invaluable if you have to take a swim

*Handheld VHF submersible vhf radio

*Backup GPS (Garmin submersible handheld)

* I keep all of these in my water proof boat box in my console compartment whether I go offshore or not.  The PLB will send the distress signal with your GPS coordinates and the hand held VHF and GPS will be your best friend if your in the water and need to communicate.  A sinking boat (which usually capsize) when full of water is problematic to fixed mount VHF use.

I am sure other will chime in with their recommendations.

PS- I am flirting on a life raft but dang.. They are expensive!  If I was in a colder water climate I would consider it mandatory.  I really matters not what emergency equip you have.. swimming in 40 degree water is not healthy.

B

[gran398]

Excellent recommendations.

When you are going offshore, throw a couple fresh cases of bottled water onboard. Also, you may consider some canned food, etc you can take back and forth between the boat and the house.

Life raft:

You guys are right, they are pricey. They also have to be serviced every several years. Had a soft-sided one that has expired and needs to be serviced to the tune of $1100. Think its in the storage building unless I threw it away. If anyone wants can dig it up and ship it to you.

[JoseGaspar]

This year, all of my grouper trips in my 250 CCP have been 43-45 miles into the gulf.  I only go if seas are 2 ft. or less.  No sense beating myself up getting out to the fish.  There are too many nice days to get out.  

JG

[wingtime]

Bergertime is spot on.

I would just add that the VHF DSC is connected to your GPS AND your MMSI number is registered and programed into the radio.  A quality antenna is also a must. I DON"T consider most fiberglass Shakspear antennas a "Quality" antenna.

I wold not bother with a SPOT for offshore.  A true PLB or Epirb emits more than one radio beacon.  One of which can be tracked by direction finding equipment on rescue aircraft and vessels.


As far as a life raft.  I'd look into renting one.