Ok I hope I came into the right forum. Long story short, a lady who is like my second mom wants to go fishing. However, her husband has given up on the hobby. Now this is where I come in, she wants me to pilot her 32' Boston Whaler. Where do I go and does anybody have any suggestions on where to obtain one. I have driven boats around the bay and what not, but never driven offshore. I'd imagine it wouldn't be that hard with all the gps and what not. Any guidance and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks & Gig'Em
Cm3

Are you just going to do it once or are you going to make a job out of this? To get one you have to have more than 300 hours sea time and go to sea school and its like 900 bucks or something. If you are going to start running charters you should get one but if not I would save your money.

No sir, no charters for me. She just wants me to be able to take her out and bring her back. Beable to find my way back if all the electrical equipment fails and what not.

Pretty much I'll be running the boat when and where she wants. I really would like to go offshore with someone who would let me sit in on a trip. Not to fish, but to see what preperations are needed and how to handle situations if and when they arise.

WOW! Thats a big pond out there to just venture out into. I would check on www.2coolfishing.com and see if someone will let you come along. Just post the same thing- you want to learn how to navigate the Gulf. If not- better get a good compass, a GPS, and a BACKUP GPS. You do realize weather is a MAJOR factor in offshore fishing. YOu can get in a mess in a hurry- with nowhere to run.
~SOme very nice guys on the 2cool board. I would at least catch a ride( you will have to share expenses with crew- gas, food, bait, beer) a dozen times before I went out. Then I would "buddy boat" with people for awhile.
~Not tryin to be harsh here- just trying to keep you guys safe.... Like they say "You become part of the food chain when you go offshore"

Hey thanks for the info Skeet. I know its a huge pond to jump into, but I really have no choice. Would you tell your momma no? I will definitely post on the site you suggested. Her boat is loaded with all the tools and gadgets I would need. I've driven 10-15miles off to the rigs and troll around, but never more then that. You by no means are being harsh, its the truth and well sometimes it comes out that way. Thanks again for the timely and truthful response

sounds like you have a little experience already. shouldnt be that much harder to get that long range experience.. Another note- I dont know how far Port Mansfield is from you- but seems a less pressured area for fishing. You wont have to go as far to get the goodies. I remember seeing some good snapper taken at 15 fathoms. - Also by experience I have fished within sight of land and caught 20# snappers off SPI.(South Padre). THey chummed em up- and I picked which ones I wanted- was a blast.

A 32'Boston whaler!!!! throw me in the brair patch.Within reason ,you can fish anywhere you want to.Get a little exprience and enjoy!!!

Crispin,
What area are you fishing out of?
Rik on TTMB will take you out, show you how to use your sounder,give you some great snapper spots and teach you the basics on your boat for a fee. But he is more Port O north if I remember correctly.
Your other option is to buddy boat with some one who knows the ropes, but again the port you run out of makes a difference.

I keep here about this Rik gentleman, I believe I'll be in close contact with him very soon. Thanks again snagged.

yea i have been offshore in my 17 foot kenner out 20 miles with just a compass and it worked out fine but if you dont want to drive out that far i would consider going to freeport or sumthin down the coast a little more bcuz you can catch big fish at the rigs that are close up bcuz it gets so deep.