You need to figure actual fuel consumption on that rig at twenty miles an hour into a three foot swell with short periods, then you know how FAR you can go most days, you are gonna burn more going than coming , and no way would I take a 1977 model motor out without a kicker for back-up - take plenty of food and water, its a Looooong drift to Cuba, you are looking at at least a 160+ mile round trip to fish Tuna out of Galveston, that particular motor gets about 2.2 miles to the gallon on a good day,hmmm do the math, MINIMUM fuel you will have to pack would be 100 gallons to allow an edge for safety, so a 55 gallon drum in the back of the boat and a transfer pump --

So $300 worth of fuel -

Some good Mae wests with built in EPRIBS and strobes, vaseline to coat face and exposed skin while you float around would be good too --

Its not that it can't be done Polynesians crossed thousands of miles of the Pacific in rafts and dugouts, but I have a sneaking suspicion they were better dead reckoning mariners that the BEST that exist today.

Really I'm not discouraging you if you are a good sailor and pick your days its doable - I done it many times - a buddy boat to go with you is really the best safety factor you can have as a mosquito fleeter.

I forgot to fill my oil tanks one day fifty miles off and ran out of oil still twenty miles out, sure was glad my buddy boat was packin extra.

My great grandpa had a fleet of shrimp boats in louisiana but I have only been to the ocean about 5 times. This thread has really helped me as I can hopefully learn from other peoples mistakes. I didnt know they have tow trucks in the ocean, that is a plus no matter how much it costs! I can hopefully manage fishing at the oil rigs that you can see from the beach until I get a newer boat.
I use to fish alot at Cedar Creek Lake until it dried up, I figure the lake dried up time to head for bigger water.

Dont do it unless you want to die, man. Some of those rigs are a LOT farther out than they look from the shore. I'm not knocking your boat, because it's fine for the small bays, but there is no way I'd take her offshore and I ain't afraid of much. You arent going to make it far enough out for Tuna..sorry.

BTW, if your family is from Morgan city, you should already know this and be able to spell " Atchafalaya"....

It all depends on the size of your Cajones

Very interesting thread. I had a neighbor in Aransas Pass that always wanted me to go out with him in his 20' bay boat. Said we would go out 30 miles. He was a retired Border Patrol agent, and from stories he had told me, I had no doubt he was serious. Every time he asked, I always managed to come up with a convincing story of a doctor's appointment or some other scenario. I've got a Blazer Bay 2220 now, but there still ain't no way I run 30 miles out there in that dang gulf. Hell, I ain't even made the jetties at Port A yet!

Oh we got BIG Cajones for sure!!!

It's not that I wouldnt ( or havent gone) out very far in less than a 24 footer, because I have. The seas were flat and we had new twin outboards on the back most of the time. But we were in an old Aquasport 222 ( back then) which was very seaworthy. Back then we had LORAN also.

I've been 20-30 miles offshore in a 21' and a 24' Kenner numerous times. Understanding sea/wind conditions and knowing your limits and the boats limits are key. Of course those boats were modern with dependable motors and redundant safety systems in place.

That boat appears to have a hull that is perfectly capable if it's in good shape. The motor is the weak link. No fuel tank makes this an impossible proposition.

I always planned to use 1/3 of my fuel going out, 1/3 returning and 1/3 in reserve in case of an "oh chit" moment.

I routinely see low side/no side scooter flats boats out to 25 miles. Of course these are also new/modern and dependable motors. They also have VHF radios and safety gear.

When things go wrong offshore you have to be able to handle the emergency on your own. You cannot depend on someone else to save you. The CG could be several hours away. A tow boat might take many more hours to get to you. Perhaps a Good Samaritan will be able to help out...or maybe not.

I've written about a dozen responses to this and deleted them all. Too much wrong with this entire thing. I'll leave it at WOW and good luck.

Joe

I keep more gas than that in my bass boat...

No offense bud, but I have done that off of the Lake Whitney cliffs close to the dam (when I was younger) and I still wouldn't attempt to go as far as you want.

This whole "plan?" makes me real nervous!

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

http://fishcatchingtravel.com/

Just make sure you have a good rope so flipper can pull you back in. I was stranded out in the gulf by myself one time. Had a rock for an ancor. North wind blowing me further and further out to sea. Sure enough a pod of dolphins found me, but no matter how hard I tried, they would not take the rope. By the time I saw a boat and shot off a daytime flair, my hands were tore up from trying to row the boat with a paddle. I learned real quick a four foot paddel is no match against the wind and current. My grandma had gotten on the CB and had all the local Cameron guys looking for me. I sure was glad to get back to land. I also sold that boat.

there is so much intelligence in this thread.
I don't know if I can soak it all in........

just go and fill us in on details when you get back. should be a good read.