How far out wide for a runabout?
Submitted by Ashen on Wed, 2015-10-14 19:01
Hi guys.
I have a 18.6ft Penguin Huntress runabout with a 120hp johnson, dual batteries, 130L fuel tank with 2 additional 25ltr jerry cans (180L in total). Boat handles wonderfully, and the motor is quite reliable. How far out wide would you take a similiar boat out? I have all the safety equipment; epirb, flares etc.
I am quite confident with my boating skills but the furthest I've been out is around 40mtr deep between 3 mile reef and Direction bank, when I had a Voyager LTD.
Thanks
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A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
Tank
Posts: 358
Date Joined: 12/05/12
All comes down to you
Comes down to you, what you are comfortable with really and your judgement on what the boat can handle. If you were a gambling man you would bet on a newer motor having less chance of a break down than an older one but Ive seen new cars break down too. I couldnt swim 1 mile or 20 mile so if I had an issue the safety equipment would be deployed either way.
You hear of poeple getting in trouble close to shore as well as out wider.
Really a question know one else can answer IMO
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Should do rotto fairly easy
Should do rotto fairly easy on a decent day
lastcast
Posts: 215
Date Joined: 04/04/13
i've got basically the same boat
But with a pod on the back and a bigger engine.
Furtherest out i've been is about 50km. I knew it was going to be rough on the way in
so took it pretty easy coming home and kept my wits about me. Mate with me fell asleep
though so thats a good sign those boats are pretty smooth in the rough stuff.
coryhenrickson
Posts: 59
Date Joined: 29/01/12
Iv got a stacer 525 n always
Iv got a stacer 525 n always out between 20-40km easily on good days mate. U shouldn't have any dramas with ur boat just pick ur days
epic restos and...
Posts: 226
Date Joined: 22/06/15
allways go as far as you feel
allways go as far as you feel confident live within your limits your heart will tell you a boat will go as far as the skipper
barneyboy
Posts: 1392
Date Joined: 08/01/09
work out your fuel consumption
and allow an extra 20%. That should dictate it for you!!
FEEEISH ONNN!!!
resurgence
Posts: 578
Date Joined: 23/04/14
The first two things that
The first two things that would ultimately determine how far you go are fuel range and radio coverage.
Aside from that, if the conditions are right for your boat, then the only real limitation is your own level of comfort and confidence. I've been out 75km in my 22ft boat, but conditions were good and there were other boats around.
The Saint
Posts: 473
Date Joined: 30/01/13
Ashen, I had a Huntriss some
Ashen, I had a Huntriss some years back and they are a very capable hull.
As others have mentioned it really comes down to your own abilities, motor reliability and the amount of fuel on board.
With a reliable motor and sufficient fuel I would be comfortable heading out for a deep drop in a Penguin Huntriss.
scubafish
Posts: 962
Date Joined: 15/08/12
Penguin top hull.
Had a huntress years ago want it back!
Now have a Phantom, go to rotto all the time no problem, like everyone says pick your days.
Key points,weather,batt x2,motor,radio vhf,epirb,all must be in good order and reliable.
Best advice I could give is go with another boat a few times to build your confidence and experience and dont fight the conditions,fight against the ocean and you will loose.
trips over to the Rock for a overnight are a good start.
Summer is good mid morning when the easterly drops head over and return next day same time can fish on the way over and on the way back next day.
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
carnarvonite
Posts: 8670
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Weather report
Learn to read the weather reports and how it relates to where you plan to fish and what its going to be like on the return trip in.
Good conditions and you could head out 30-40nm depending on fuel capacity, but remember with fuel usage on ideal conditions you should have 30% left in the tank when you arrive back in, this allows for any sudden change in the weather that may require you to head to a different harbour/ ramp to get in safely.
mallesh
Posts: 254
Date Joined: 18/11/10
+1 Carnarvonite
I have got a 19 foot Coralline with a 115 Yammy.
I have been to Bernier island and behind.
Even I was fishing 110 - 160 meters metro over the long weekend couple of weeks ago.
It all comes to what you feel comfortable with and the fuel capacity.
Keep Fishing. Stay Relaxed.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8670
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Weather permitting
Weather permitting I regularly travel out to the islands [30nm] in my 5 metre plate ali with a 60hp on the back, though a couple of times I had had to travel down the west side of Bernier to the gap and sneak down across Disaster bay before heading home to soften the ride when the promised SW wind hasn't come and its stayed SE. Wouldn't have been able to do this if I hadn't allowed the extra fuel safety margin
Ashen
Posts: 1042
Date Joined: 22/03/13
Great info and advice, thanks
Great info and advice, thanks guys! Good to hear some members had the Huntress in the past and have taken it out a fair distance.
Having owned a few boats in the past (Derben, Northshore, Voyager), I agree that the Huntress is very capable and stable at rest. I thought the Voyager was great, but the Huntress is awesome! Haha!
I'm also looking at upgrading the motor to something newer and with more grunt (130-140hp) or maybe twins.
End of the day, I'm not the type to go out in rough conditions, just because it's ideal for snapper etc. I prefer a good day where I can kick back with some mates and enjoy a couple of beers, with rods in the water.
A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!