May I benefit from your experience pls?

[corkyking]

May I benefit from your experience?
I have considerable experience with small boat handling on inland waters and near-shore areas but I feel less than secure when I think about bluewater cruising in my new boat.

It may be that my boat is not right for bluewater. If you think that it is not the right boat, I will concur and stay inside.

* New 18ft Alumaweld Intruder 175 SJ (38 gal fuel should be good for 200+ miles of full bore running according to specs.)
* 8hp kicker
* handheld GPS
* depth sounder
* VHS radio
* Compass
* all USCG required stuff

Let's theoretically say that I have the start of a boat that would be usable on a good day.

What else do I need to be comfortable and safe.

If under no circumstances would you go out to bluewater with this boat pls say so as well. That's the direction I'm leaning.

Thanx in advance.

[ 05-14-2003, 02:08 AM: Message edited by: corkyking ]

[WaterDog]

Corkyking,

I have similar boat. I have been out in the big pond a couple of times chasing coho. As long as you pick your days you can fish the ocean.

Start now and keep track of your fuel comsumption. My sj burns on average 5 gal/hr. In my boat tho I really need to get on step to get any kind of milage. Last year I got out into a rough ocean, too rough to get any speed. Made it out 5 miles and said that was enough, turned around and headed to port. An hour and a half of plowing, only 10 miles total, burned 15 gal of gas. Going out to the ranch or rock pile probably isnt in it for me in my boat. :depressed:

Take it slow. Think about a bow cover if your boat is an open bow or egg out the drain holes. You'll need a flare kit if you don't have one(didnt see it listed). :smile:

[WildHawg]

You've got some potential for nice days.
I would want you to have charts (maps) of the area you are going to fish, a flare gun, and likely an upgrade on lifejackets. Most boats come with those horseshoe style ones, which are nearly useless. Buy the Type II (I think) which are a vest style and have reflective tape on them. Much more flotation and heaven forbid you need it, reflective tape.
As I recall, the intruder is a windshield model VS essentially. Should have a wash through front deck. Make sure the holes are big enough to allow water to rapidly exit.
Now...become very familiar with your craft, learn how to use your GPS, map, and compass, find the right summer day, and I'd say you're ready for some salty adventure.
Oh yeah, if I were you, I'd bring along someone who is experienced on the Big Blue.
Be careful and prepared, and I think you've got a salmon and bottomfish killing machine. If things were near perfect, I'd say a trip out to the ranch in August might even be a possibility.
I know the areas off Tillamook well, and have a handle on Newport, if ya wanna try some nearshore bottomfishing, give me a call.

[corrirod]

Like the others said Corky, pick your days and you'll be fine.

Fuel is always an issue and if the ocean kicks up you'll burn 38 gallons in a sport jet pretty quick.

Other things we try to do, if possible, is have redundant backup systems. The handheld plastic Jesus is something worth doubling up on, as well as maybe a handheld VHF.

Bottomline, travel with the pack brutha and you'll be just fine.

Feel free to ask ALL the questions you have here. We'll be more than glad to help. Sounds like you've got a good clear head to be asking for safety advice BEFORE you get into trouble. One suggestion I would make is that you should think about grabbing one of these open seats that are offered on this board so you can see what other people do on Big Blue. This will give you the chance to see what equipment other Dogs use and why they use it, as well as give you some experience with the conditions you would feel most safe in.

Welcome to the Salty Dogs and welcome to our playground!

[Beer Waggin]

You will find that generally, a smaller sled (less than 20’) and the ocean do not mix very well. I did my last battle with the ocean on opening day last year. A three plus hour trip back to the dock and over 70 gallons of fuel burned, and this was after running out to the ranch in about 90 minutes. The weather turned very quickly that day and the next day was a bay fishing day. Don’t get me wrong, you can do it in a sled and some of the larger 24’ plus sleds ride very nicely in rougher conditions, just ask Taylor’s Viewpoint. You can do it in your sled, just plan on a bumpy ride and be prepared to sit in the bay on bad days and listen to the fun on the VHF. There won’t be a single person looking down on you for staying in port.
You may want to do your own fuel consumption check before heading out that far as well. Gas is pretty hard to come by 15 plus miles out.
Another thing to consider, if you’re running at 25 plus mph, the ocean is considered flat. You might be on plane, but you’re banging.
Filling the bow with water is another concern, and I have done it before and the water will drain. I don’t like the idea of a bow cover on a sled, only because I like to have the extra storage for the red cans and a cooler. Just make sure your scuppers are big enough to drain the water quickly.

Stick around and learn. There seem to be a few of us that are out every weekend when the weather allows it. Tag along with the group and have fun.

[Birdnest]

Coryking,

Be very careful. You are in a lot more trouble than you know. If you hang out with these guys for any length of time you will find yourself talking with your bank about home equity loans, mumbling about scupper ports, wondering if Ed Wing has a better webpage, deciding if RADAR is in the cards for this season or next. It only gets uglier from here.

If you don't believe me, I responded to your post about a boat name. I posted a ? about which is the best float tube to buy, and this is the direction these jokers sent me. :grin:

Like most things in life, there is a conspiracy theory floating around. It's rumored that Pilar and his dogs actually work for Bush's economic team and are involved in a grassroots attempt at turning the economy around with marine related purchases. You can chose to believe what you want, but I think the writing is on the wall.

Birdnest

[CrazyFish]

corkyking

Concerning your fuel, check it your self. Jets tend to take up more fuel than props.

all USCG required stuff

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">This changes once you cross the bar, you are now REQUIRED to carry flares (not required inland).

Watch out for the bar crossings, Newport isn't to bad but Garibaldi can get pretty rough especially during minus tide runoffs. It doesn't hurt to give the USCG a call to check on bar conditions before going out or coming in. Garibaldi bar will close from time to time.

Taking someone with you that knows the bar crossing and the sea is a great idea.
:grin:
Welcome to the Salty Dogs and welcome to our playground

[tag-a-long]

you might ask the stoyjun princess. She and her hubby have been to the ranch in a similar boat and had very different stats for fuel consumption. One ride back was a long one. I know they take a few small cans of gas strapped to the bow just in case... We have bottom fished around the rockpile for hours and run to seal rock as well... From a non boat owner, please be careful........

[fisher-price]

Hey Cork: I am in the same boat, new sled last year. As far as the ocean goes there are days that you can and days that you can't. You will learn to tell the difference. I have had a lot of fun on the ocean without going to far out. We have caught tons of fish and had some great times.

Drop me an e-mail and I will share all that I know and we can both listen to the dogs.

[corkyking]

Thanx for all the good advice:

This changes once you cross the bar, you are now REQUIRED to carry flares (not required inland).

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I traded a 26' sailboat in on the Alumaweld-I pulled all of the safety gear (except size and seaworthyness)off of it. I think I'm good to go with the USCG.

Fuel is always an issue and if the ocean kicks up you'll burn 38 gallons in a sport jet pretty quick

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">This is one of my main concerns - ya can't hoist a sail on a jetboat - no rudder - well let's put it this way, It would take a lot to sail a jetboat.

Now...become very familiar with your craft, learn how to use your GPS, map, and compass, find the right summer day, and I'd say you're ready for some salty adventure.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I am more than likely going to hang around the kelp beds, channels and jettys until I really know the boat well.

Thanx again

[corrirod]

Kelp and jet are two words that do not go together. Be careful or those two will equate to jetty and jet which equates to helicopter ride to hospital.

[Fishplay]

Kelp can be an issue at low rpm. I fish alot of kelp beds in Canada. It is imperative to make sure the intake is free of kelp before firing up the engine. Use the paddle and work your way out from the bed before starting. If your running and come up on a kelp bed and don't have time to avoid it. Stay On The Pipe!!!! Can I say.....Salad Shooter.

If your Intruder is the 10 degree hull, you only want to fish the nicest of days. Those things submarine in three foot wind waves. I took a heck of a bath in one on the Columbia a couple years ago.

14 degree is better but the sixteen is what you really want.

[Slugranch]

Regarding the flare issue,,,,,,,,they are required in the rivers once the width of the body of water exceeds two miles.