Off shore fishing

[motorman007]

I have a question about off shore fishing, next summer I would like to go up to 15 miles off shore in my 2003 215 dc aquasport osprey w/225 h.p. four stroke Yamaha. single engine, is this safe.

[wingtime]

Off shore from where?  The boat will handle it just fine.  The biggest thing is how you prepare yourself before the trip.  Check the weather and only go on good days.  I think number one is having the proper safety gear on the boat.  This would include a fixed mount VHF with DSC, a back up hand held VHF, proper life vests, signal flares & mirror, and a PLB of some sort.  Having a kicker motor to get you back in is not a bad idea.  I'd also get Sea Tow or a Boat US towing membership.

[Circle Hooked]

It does somewhat depend were you live,but on the west coast of fl,i would run that boat out 30 no problem,been farther then that on a 21 bay boat,just watch the weather very close,and don't be afraid to call it off if it doesn't look right,and have the gear like wingtime said.

[flounderpounder225]

I have a question about off shore fishing, next summer I would like to go up to 15 miles off shore in my 2003 215 dc aquasport osprey w/225 h.p. four stroke Yamaha. single engine, is this safe.

Just the fact that you consider 15 miles to be worthy of questioning your fellow forum members as to safety equipment, and recommendations says a lot about your level of concern for you and others on your boat.  On a nice day, 15 is a piece of cake, take the proper gear as described above, call the trip if the weather looks dicey.  You will enjoy the fishing out there.
Marc

[motorman007]

I sorry the off shore would be out of Galveston, Tx. Gulf of Mexico

[gran398]

Sounds as if you have a sea-worthy boat. Take heed to what your new friends have posted.

Main thing is weather. A good captain is also a good meteorologist. Best conditions occur when the dome of high pressure begins to settle over your area, and hangs tight. That is true throughout the year, anywhere. Light wind, slight seas.

Different times of the year, the dome may hang for only a few hours...or settle in for a few days, without another system behind it, pushing it onward.

As we have discussed lately, BE SAFE. System redundancy is the mark of a good captain.

[motorman007]

what is a plb

[Circle Hooked]

PLB Personal Locator Beacon works like an Epirb except the PLB goes with you the Epirb goes with the boat, which when activated sends out GPS coordinates to a satellite which is received by the Coast Guard and lets them know where to come find you,only to be used in a ( Life Threatening  Emergency).