How far out and how many motors is the law.

[Krazymaan]

I guess this is mostly for you coastal peeps.
I kinda was under the impression that a boat heading out into the ocean a certain distance with a certain size boat was required to have more than one engine in case one motor failed, this is for safety reasons i was under that impression.
I can't imagine a person with an STV or anything under 20' heading out until you can't see land anymore. Those mermaids would have you for dinner.
So whats the laws or is it just enter the horizon at your own risk and good luck?

[Mr. Demeanor]

Ive been 70 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico in a single engine outboard. There are no laws governing the number of motors required.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Even went for a swim to check out a weather device we found.

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[Brad Zastrow]

In my wildest dreams I would not go very far offshore with one engine in any size boat. I can not put my life on the line for a mechanical object that may fail.

[tunnelmike]

Florida law does state you must have 3 times the depth in anchor line length. Got turned around In Panama City pass once. Mike

[roadkill636]

Even went for a swim to check out a weather device we found.

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Thats not a "weatber device " thats an alian spacecraft.... from Roswell

[mikesufka]

Ive been 70 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico in a single engine outboard. There are no laws governing the number of motors required.

This is probably a dumb question, but can you see shore at 70 miles out ?

MDS

PS: I'm in Brad's camp

[Mr. Demeanor]

This is probably a dumb question, but can you see shore at 70 miles out ?

MDS

PS: I'm in Brad's camp

No. You usually lose site of shore at about 12-15 miles depending on weather. Because of the curvature of the Earth you cant see land out very far.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Thats not a "weatber device " thats an alian spacecraft.... from Roswell

We took it in and to the local Coast Guard in case it had data they needed. Its one of the devices they drop during search and rescue to track currents. Dropped from an aircraft.

[XstreamVking]

You can look back and see the smog on most days. Easy to tell the way home.....

[Mr. Demeanor]

In my wildest dreams I would not go very far offshore with one engine in any size boat. I can not put my life on the line for a mechanical object that may fail.

The majority of failures that would disable a single engine boat also would disable a twin etc. Bad fuel, electrical, etc.
We also carry a sat phone and EPIRB whether its in a single engine or triple engine.

[Mr. Demeanor]

In my wildest dreams I would not go very far offshore with one engine in any size boat. I can not put my life on the line for a mechanical object that may fail.

Thats actually a pretty ironic statement looking at a pic of your boat Your risking your life on mechanics every time you run it.

[roadkill636]

A 6' tall person standing at the waters edge can see 7 miles out

[Brad Zastrow]

If I blow an engine I simply slow down and can run on one or two to get back. I have had every mechanical problem possible happen with my boats. Lost steering twice with a tie bar that fell off on one boat and a loose power steering fitting on a 42 MTI with 1550 Sterlings lose fluid at well over 100 mph in a hard corner. Blown number six drives at 160 mph. Lost props twice. Blown at least 15 engine I/O and O/B. Blown transmissions. Many more smaller items that have always had me limping to port on one engine. But never have I felt my life was threatened. However for me scary would be going 70 miles offshore with one engine. All I can say is you better have a really good marine radio or strong rowing arms.

[capt bart]

A 6' tall petson standing at the waters edge can see 7 miles out

Oh, at least that far unless it's raining or he is facing the other direction .

[mikesufka]

This is probably a dumb question, but can you see shore at 70 miles out ?

MDS

PS: I'm in Brad's camp

That was a dumb question. After thinking about it for a second, I'd have guessed 20 miles or so, but I was wrong there too I see.

MDS

[FUJIMO]

I guess this is mostly for you coastal peeps.
I kinda was under the impression that a boat heading out into the ocean a certain distance with a certain size boat was required to have more than one engine in case one motor failed, this is for safety reasons i was under that impression.
I can't imagine a person with an STV or anything under 20' heading out until you can't see land anymore. Those mermaids would have you for dinner.
So whats the laws or is it just enter the horizon at your own risk and good luck?
...Forget the motors. I go out as far as I want.:smiletest: https://agathearmanddotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/111005_wtworld5.png

[Tom Foley]

In my wildest dreams I would not go very far offshore with one engine in any size boat. I can not put my life on the line for a mechanical object that may fail.
Sea Tow / Boat US .

[olboatman]

Hey guys...ya got it all wrong! The # of motors on the boat does not make off shore trips any safer. Actually the more motors the more chance of fire which is a mariners worst nigntmare! The marine radio ( to summon help) and a survival craft or suit(s) (to get into when ya have to get the f--k out) are your best friends. Cell phones are excluded!!!!!!! I have a LOT of hrs and miles off shore wreck diving and have allways had the best VHF radio and TALLEST antenna on board. Glad I only needed to use them for recreaction. JMO Gary

[mjw930]

If I blow an engine I simply slow down and can run on one or two to get back. I have had every mechanical problem possible happen with my boats. Lost steering twice with a tie bar that fell off on one boat and a loose power steering fitting on a 42 MTI with 1550 Sterlings lose fluid at well over 100 mph in a hard corner. Blown number six drives at 160 mph. Lost props twice. Blown at least 15 engine I/O and O/B. Blown transmissions. Many more smaller items that have always had me limping to port on one engine. But never have I felt my life was threatened. However for me scary would be going 70 miles offshore with one engine. All I can say is you better have a really good marine radio or strong rowing arms.

The big difference is you are running high performance, highly stressed mechanicals so yes, you will break things on a regular basis. If you are going offshore on a regular basis you use the right tool for the job and be fanatical with maintenance.

I know know a number of people who routinely run to the Gulf Stream from central Florida in single engine outboards almost every weekend but they run the most reliable equipment they can buy and maintain it on a regular basis. Many run twins but some do run singles but all have EPIRB's, some have sat phones as well as survival inflatables. Like I said, the right tool for the job.

Personally I've always been the guy that would only take twins offshore but with the reliability of modern 4 stroke outboards and technology like sat phones I wouldn't hesitate to run 20 or 30 miles out with a single.

Talk to any boater who grew up in S. Florida and I bet they either went to the Bahamas in their 16' whalers or know someone who did. THAT would scare the hell out of me but when I was 16 and indestructible I would have probably done it too.

[Mr. Demeanor]

If I blow an engine I simply slow down and can run on one or two to get back. I have had every mechanical problem possible happen with my boats. Lost steering twice with a tie bar that fell off on one boat and a loose power steering fitting on a 42 MTI with 1550 Sterlingslose fluid at well over 100 mph in a hard corner. Blown number six drives at 160 mph. Lost props twice. Blown at least 15 engine I/O and O/B. Blown transmissions. Many more smaller items that have always had me limping to port on one engine. But never have I felt my life was threatened. However for me scary would be going 70 miles offshore with one engine. All I can say is you better have a really good marine radio or strong rowing arms.

Brad I m just comparing the "risk" of going 70 miles out in a single engine boat VS. going however damn fast that beast of your runs LOL.
We could ask an insurance company which they think is more dangerous.
Most commercial fishing boats are single engine.
As I stated we have an EPIRB, Satellite phone, etc. Do you?

[Chaz]

Talk to any boater who grew up in S. Florida and I bet they either went to the Bahamas in their 16' whalers or know someone who did. THAT would scare the hell out of me but when I was 16 and indestructible I would have probably done it too.

Some even crossed at 3:00 am .... :leaving:

The reality of it is that it don't matter if your in a 50' sport fishin boat . There are times when you go in the valley so deep you can't see the 50 footer that's 300 yards in front of you . All ya can do is try to surf the backside slope ... got Dramamine ??? :eek: :D

[W2F a V-King]

6 ft to horizon vision is about 3 miles (ball park)...VHF is also line of sight only, so you need a really tall antenna to get the marine operator. Or to bounce communication from one boat to another that may or not be there. 25 ish miles max?

Sat phone and a working GPS is your friend. Extra water and supplies, And Deep Pockets for Sea-Tow! ;)

The real issue is what the weather can do to you that far offshore. Single motor or multiples. A boat with no power in rough seas can get ugly.

[W2F a V-King]

...Forget the motors. I go out as far as I want.:smiletest: https://agathearmanddotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/111005_wtworld5.png


That was a Great movie !!!

[Li'l Toy]

I always kinda felt this, but after those two boys were lost off South Florida I am convinced I don't want to be offshore in anything short of a cruise ship w/o an EPIRB on me.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Fishing guys: You go fast boaters are nuts.
Go fast boaters: You fishing guys are nuts.
Sailboaters: You guys are both nuts.

But who gives a fck what sailboaters think? :D

[baja200merk]

Try being 20 miles off Ambrose when your trim tab control box catches fire and smoke is rolling out from under the console. 2 engines wouldn't do chit for ya. :eek:

[99fxst99]

Fishing guys: You go fast boaters are nuts.
Go fast boaters: You fishing guys are nuts.
Sailboaters: You guys are both nuts.

But who gives a fck what sailboaters think? :D

:D:thumbsup:

[Mr. Demeanor]

Try being 20 miles off Ambrose when your trim tab control box catches fire and smoke is rolling out from under the console. 2 engines wouldn't do chit for ya. :eek:

Had to be towed in once from about 20 miles out when I had a battery short. NOt realizing what happened I switched both batteries together which killed the good battery in a very short time.

[powerabout]

good old carby engines, you could pull start them

[nitro_rat]

I would hang a pulse pump on my '79 175 Mariner and stick it on a fishing boat to go 70 miles off shore before I would do it in a boat with new twin 4 strokes. The difference is I can fix the one (and yes, pull start it too!). That warranty don't do squat 'til you get it back to the dealer!

[baja200merk]

Yea my optis were always very picky about batteries since they have to crank a certain amount of time to build air pressure and those reduction starters seem to crank so slow even though the starter was new.


good old carby engines, you could pull start them
E-Tec doesn't need a battery to run either. Notice the positive battery cable is disconnected.

https://youtu.be/yE4gXSYvwWk

On the Suwannee for New Years foleys 260 quit charging so the fuel pump killed battery 30 miles from ramp. My brother fired his etec gave foley his battery and they made it back to the ramp.

[W2F a V-King]

Always carried a separate hot battery when I went "offshore" blue water fishing. Maybe I was a bit paranoid, but I always got back home. Used to night fish deep water structures, and again always carried a separate hot battery just for emergency. Took up so little room, and sure was glad I had it if the night of fishing left me with slow cranking motors...

Yes, you can pull start a warm carbed motor. I think most would be hard pressed ( I would anyway ) to pull start a cold 2 stroke carbed (Merc anyway)

[mrcrsr]

Most ocean going freighters are single shaft single diesel engine

[nitro_rat]

My company builds reduction gears for ships and the only single screw vessels I have seen are sub 200' fishing boats. Never been on a container ship though...

[mrcrsr]

My company builds reduction gears for ships and the only single screw vessels I have seen are sub 200' fishing boats. Never been on a container ship though...

The 450 ft ffg I was on was single screw

[Krazymaan]

Maybe the thread should be limited to speed boats and fishing boats under 40' Unless you own a freight liner a cruise ship or a tanker.

[baja200merk]

A friend watched a kid go from Florida to Bahamas in a 15 whaler. He fueled up at the dock bought a coke and headed back to Florida. :eek: stupid is as stupid does.

[FUJIMO]

A friend watched a kid go from Florida to Bahamas in a 15 whaler. He fueled up at the dock bought a coke and headed back to Florida. :eek: stupid is as stupid does.
Classic 13' Whaler with a 50 Merc short shaft, in the 70's... Peanut brittle bar out of the candy machine at Lott's Tackle gas dock(North Palm Beach) & a Coke.

[FUJIMO]

On the Suwannee for New Years foleys 260 quit charging so the fuel pump killed battery 30 miles from ramp. My brother fired his etec gave foley his battery and they made it back to the ramp. ...A battery will run 260 electrics & fuel pump for 30 miles?

[Chaz]

Hugo still holds the record ... ;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Vihlen

http://iscc.marinersmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/31059.jpg (http://iscc.marinersmuseum.org/subject/hugo-vihlen/)

[Mr. Demeanor]

The 450 ft ffg I was on was single screw
Must have had a hell of a torque tab welded to the skeg :eek:

[FMP]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Kon-Tiki.jpg/1280px-Kon-Tiki.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/ThorHeyerdahl.jpg/240px-ThorHeyerdahl.jpgThor Heyerdahl August 7, 1947, the Kon-Tiki. After a 101-day, 4,300 nautical mile (4,948 miles or 7,964 km) journey across the Pacific;):thumbsup:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kon-Tiki_expedition

[Mr. Demeanor]

BTW we also carry a drift sock. Its basically a parachute tied to an anchor line and tied off the bow. Keeps the bow into the waves when drift fishing or if you lose power in heavy seas.

[Mr. Demeanor]

A friend watched a kid go from Florida to Bahamas in a 15 whaler. He fueled up at the dock bought a coke and headed back to Florida. :eek: stupid is as stupid does.

Ill let you know next time were looking for another guy for one of our deep (150-200 mile out) trips. We just split expenses up usually 6 guys. Stay out 24 hours. That boat has triples LOL.

[Mr. Demeanor]

This is a photo shoot we did last summer for Florida Sportsman Magazine.

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[Mr. Demeanor]

Hard to find these within sight of land :-)
Never would have thought an Amberjack would win the wildcard division but this one paid $1000 or about 1/3 of our fuel. We were 180 miles from port or about 80 miles N/W of the Dry Tortugas. 100 lb AJ hooked 350' down KICKED MY ASS.

370478

I love it out deep. Nothing better! This one is was awesome. Thats a ship on the bottom.
370479

Sunrise 200 miles out.
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[powerabout]

Most ocean going freighters are single shaft single diesel engine
no electrics

[powerabout]

so if you want to go offshore SOB its a carby engine with pulse pump or Etec

[Mr. Demeanor]

so if you want to go offshore SOB its a carby engine with pulse pump or Etec

Mine was an Opti. I see em all out there.

[stoker2001]

Hard to find these within sight of land :-)
Never would have thought an Amberjack would win the wildcard division but this one paid $1000 or about 1/3 of our fuel. We were 180 miles from port or about 80 miles N/W of the Dry Tortugas. 100 lb AJ hooked 350' down KICKED MY ASS.

370478

I love it out deep. Nothing better! This one is was awesome. Thats a ship on the bottom.
370479

Sunrise 200 miles out.
370481
Nice AJ,are they related to tuna species?we get something similar on west coast here that is called yellow or split-tail,not to be confused with yellowfin.

[hydrochicken]

...A battery will run 260 electrics & fuel pump for 30 miles?

Sure will .....trust me i know also it was a 6 year old optima at that

[capt bart]

we have something here in Florida that is often referred to as a split-tail . Although some of them can provide hours of quality entertainment they must be handled with extreme caution . Tag and release is generally considered the safest way to handle them as it has been documented on more than one occasion that trying to make a keeper out of the wrong one will cost you half of everything that you own .

[W2F a V-King]

Sure will .....trust me i know also it was a 6 year old optima at that


Got to love the optimas...pricey, but the best. :thumbsup:

[W2F a V-King]

we have something here in Florida that is often referred to as a split-tail . Although some of them can provide hours of quality entertainment they must be handled with extreme caution . Tag and release is generally considered the safest way to handle them as it has been documented on more than one occasion that trying to make a keeper out of the wrong one will cost you half of everything that you own .

True that!

Up here they are 2 leg deer. Whole nother kind of hunting ;)

[mikesufka]

Hugo still holds the record ... ;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Vihlen

http://iscc.marinersmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/31059.jpg (http://iscc.marinersmuseum.org/subject/hugo-vihlen/)


That is flat out incredible - I don't even know what to say ...

MDS

[Chaz]

so if you want to go offshore SOB its a carby engine with pulse pump or Etec

Maybe even points and condenser , for total reliability ..... :eek: :leaving:

[FORBESAUTO]

Maybe even points and condenser , for total reliability ..... :eek: :leaving:

I LOVE IT!!! Always get those old timers come into the shop talking about how they don't make cars like they used to. And I'm thinking THANK GOD!! Lol

[powerabout]

Maybe even points and condenser , for total reliability ..... :eek: :leaving:
the only time I have ever had a tow was a 888 mercruiser broke the rotor button, we were up the river in our usual test track pre mobile phones and boat had no vhf to call the marina.
Spent ages trying to make a rotor button and gave up, drifted to shore, walked back to the marina and got another boat.
Fords should never be in boats

[baja200merk]

...A battery will run 260 electrics & fuel pump for 30 miles?
Apparently. 30 miles only takes 25 mins at 80-90mph cruise :thumbsup:


Ill let you know next time were looking for another guy for one of our deep (150-200 mile out) trips. We just split expenses up usually 6 guys. Stay out 24 hours. That boat has triples LOL.
Trips :iagree:

its crazy how shallow the gulf is. Around here it's like 1 mile out =1 ft deeper. It's still strange to me cause Where I grew up it's 100ft on the other side of the seawall. Gulf is the calmest sea in the US the lakes are rougher. I'm not complaining I've been 6 miles out in my 18ft tunnel boat cruising at 70 :D

[H2OPERF]

I remember when i was a kid my brother and i were out in the everglades in an old jon boat with an 18 evinrude the carb got clogged up wouldn't run so we pulled the fuel line kinked it over so only a little fuel would come out stuck it in the carb throat and i gently squeezed the primer bulb to keep it going all the way home, first mechanical fuel injected 18 evinrude lol. When murphy shows up lookout. Dave

[FUJIMO]

Apparently. 30 miles only takes 25 mins at 80-90mph cruise :thumbsup:


...Impressive, considering no charging system. The smaller pumps use a bit less juice than the original Kinslers, lol.

[hydrochicken]

...Impressive, considering no charging system. The smaller pumps use a bit less juice than the original Kinslers, lol.

I run a huge magnafuel pump
And it may have caused me to blow my engine but it ran all the way

[Capt.Insane-o]

I'll go as far as the end of my driveway with an opti. Even then I get nervous.

[dwilfong]

Bin 30 miles out from Port Canaveral many times by my self in a 17' boat with a single 90HP. Just do a radio check as you head out to make sure some one can hear you. The cell phone goes dead at about 15 miles out.
Most of the time you have to dodge some one when trolling.........LOL
The hardest part is standing for a hour on a throw cushion so your back dose not go out.
The ride back is easy you just ride the sea breeze in.

[olboatman]

Back in 83 I h.ad a 18' center console with a 65hp triple merc that cooked the top cyl 17 mi out on the way to photograph a wreck. Pulled the top plug out and came back in on 2 cyl. Long ride! Back at the dock a lobsterman told us we sounded like a Harley common across the ocean! Had a brand new 115 l6 the next wknd! Gary

[fichrman2]

I used to run my 21 Outrage with a single 225 offshore, 25+ miles in the Gulf all the time, lots of times alone. As stated -epirb/sat phone and a float plan are a must.
When I was alone , I was 10x more mindful with the simple chit- cutting bait/handling fish/pulling anchor ect, cause I knew if I hurt myself bad- I was f-cked.....

Andy

[olboatman]

I used to run my 21 Outrage with a single 225 offshore, 25+ miles in the Gulf all the time, lots of times alone. As stated -epirb/sat phone and a float plan are a must.
When I was alone , I was 10x more mindful with the simple chit- cutting bait/handling fish/pulling anchor ect, cause I knew if I hurt myself bad- I was f-cked.....

Andy

I compare this to my camp in northern Maine. No fire dept, Police dept,or hospital within 30 mi! There was NO cell service there till couple yrs ago. I stopped using my 36" 2 cyl chain saw and felling trees when I am alone. If ya did it every day that would be another thing like the locals. Gary

[XstreamVking]

Myself and 3-4 of my buds run the glades in the winter months. 120 miles or more each trip. We all run opti's. Somehow we always get home without any issues. But I make sure they stay on top of the maint. on all of them. Have towed a sunk yammi, and a blown lower unit yammi over the yrs. They freaked out when I planed them out and hauled butt. It's 40+ miles to the ramp from camp.

[Mr. Demeanor]

I'll go as far as the end of my driveway with an opti. Even then I get nervous. I had my share of problems but they never left me with no power luckily. I always have a Seatow membership though.

[Tom Foley]

...A battery will run 260 electrics & fuel pump for 30 miles?
Actually it was charging but the battery was dying internally . 16 amp system is not a good deal unless battery is peaked and in great shape . Pump , trim will kill the battery really quick with no charging at all . Beef rescued me with his battery !

[olboatman]

Myself and 3-4 of my buds run the glades in the winter months. 120 miles or more each trip. We all run opti's. Somehow we always get home without any issues. But I make sure they stay on top of the maint. on all of them. Have towed a sunk yammi, and a blown lower unit yammi over the yrs. They freaked out when I planed them out and hauled butt. It's 40+ miles to the ramp from camp.

Not to change the subject BUT This sounds like a hell of a time!!!!! Simular to hedding out in my Bronco with others from camp 75+ mi in N. Maine! When I was younger and family was still together. Gary