Taking 17 ft boat offshore question

[Mako1]

I would have a difficult time enjoying being out on the water if I had to be concerned about, "if I'm too far out", or "how far can I go", or basically just the long list of "what if scenarios"?

Maybe it's just me, but as I got older I developed more respect for mother nature.

[hammer4reel]

you really need to know your fuel burn at most of your operating speeds.
what is going to limit you most is a only having a 30 gallon gas tank.
I think at cruising speeds your going to get around 3mpg .


so using the rule 1/3 out , 1/3 back, 1/3 reserved for rougher seas. It knocks you down to a 60 mile round trip.

Then knock that down to 2/3 due to the usually running the boat around or trolling from spot to spot, takes you to 40 miles round trip , or approx 20 miles from port

But you will definetly have to pick your days.

[Charlie B]

One other thing to consider is going out with a buddy boat and staying within sight of each other. Safety in numbers...Charlie

[Walleyed]

Originally Posted by Mako1

I would have a difficult time enjoying being out on the water if I had to be concerned about, "if I'm too far out", or "how far can I go", or basically just the long list of "what if scenarios"?

Maybe it's just me, but as I got older I developed more respect for mother nature.

For me it comes from flight training...there are old pilots and there are bold pilots, no such thing as an old, bold pilot.

I don't obsess over what can go wrong, I'm simply prepared to handle it when it does.