You can go out as far as you want on a good day. The key to being a good skipper is knowing when to do it!! Learn your forecasts.

I would say fuel will be a bit light for a fads mission. If I had a 115hp I would want more.

 Thanks.  It was mainly the fuel I was concerned about. I'm pretty good with forecasts, been big into surfing for the best part of 15 years. 

I guess the 1st thing is a trip to rotto to see how I go, as I can always refuel there.  

In terms of distance out from a safe anchorage it is a little more complex than just one factor. I have a Savage Osprey 5.25, 90 Honda and 100 liter fuel tank. Fishing the FADs is easy enough, and I set up a 140km journey when I go. What matters is who else is out on your trip day, what comunication equipment do you have, what is the forecast, what redundenancy is built into your boat systems, crew fitness, skipper boating experienance etc.

I take 20 liters of fuel in a jerry, and decanter it as soon as possible, I have 2 radios, 2 builge pumps, 2 radios AM & VHF, two flare packs, 2 sea anchors, fist aid box, good tool kit, 10 liters of water etc, etc. I wear my inflatable life jacket.

I have had two very bad FAD runs, but kept to my plan and kept thinking. I have even done a trench run for marlin safely, but have since considered the target species too dangeous for the distance off shore.

To sum up, I plan my fishing, and fish my plan. Sometimes I head home earlier than I want, but thats safe and thats all right.

Hope this helps so you give it a go.

Opsrey is onto it, you can't get out and walk if something happens so better to take gear that you may never use than not have when you do need it. I think the main thing is to keep a clear head as skipper if you thing the weather is turning turn back.

Hi Justo,

Would be grateful if I could get some info from you.

I am looking at possibly buying a used 2007 Savage Tasman 5.2 with a 90hp 2 stroke as my first boat. I didn't know they were the same as a Quicksilver 520.

Was wondering exactly what you wanted to know in your post. Sounds like it should be ok for fishing Rotto as long as you chose the right day and are prepared.

Anyway I'd be grateful if you could give me your experience of the handling of the boat. Is the ride good with swell/chop, whats the stability like, how many can it comfortably fish, and would you recommend it as a first boat ?

Cheers for your advice

PM me if you wish,

Joycey.

 Justo, i have a 2007 5.2 caddy cab, 115 2 stroke with 90L fuel.

I have not been to the fads as yet with my greatest distance being around the 40k mark, i think it would be around the 50k to the fads but thats just an estimate.

40K out and fish all day moving around and then back would leave me with a half tank, weather knowledge must suit the boat for its not fun sitting on 15knts up /down/up/down/up if you know what i mean.

My first few trips werent much fun for i was keen as musted to get out there, now i wont go past the five unless the weather is exceptional!! 

Full tank of fuel & two stroke oil, take a buddy, radio in/out, epirb, life jackets, plenty of water and food and with a good day GO for it, i will be making my first trip out there this summer thats for sure.

remember to logon with Sea Rescue regardless of weather or fuel size!

i have a 5m trailcraft with a 120l tank 4 stroke 60hp merc

i have taken it to the 90m south of rotto, but i always to go with another boat just to be alot safer, and when i return there is half a tank left, but when its just my boat i mainly stick to the sound and get a feed of squid, better to be safe than sorry

in the right conditions, been out many times in my old 5.2 trailcraft, allways have extra fuel, keep an eye on the sea breeze, it can blow up real fast and turn shitty real quick which results in a long rough trip home of about 30 to 40 ks, allways best with another boat and radio coverage