Just curious as to what you all think about the positive/negative points to owning your own deep water/gulf boat? I am kicking around & looking at a 25 foot sportcraft for going out to the closer oil rigs, but this is all new to me. Been in a inland lake/bay boat all my life, only going offshore seems a bit "spooky" to me. But tired of paying for the charters. What do you all think, yes or no? thanks!

Buying the boat is the cheap part. We have over $10,000 in rods and tackle. Then you have to keep it up in tip top shape.. Cost alot to do that even if you DIY.

the party-boat approach is cheaper, way cheaper.

Pondered this for a few years. I concluded that private trips on party boats is waaayyyy more fun and cost cost effective

+100% on not taking your boat

Thanks guys... that answered my curiosity.

I have my on boat and love it. There is more maintenance than my bass boat and it takes a lot more gas to tow it to the coast and back. But I enjoy it.

Going out on charters is way easier, I agree. In the scheme of things, I prefer going out myself. I'm not regulated to time, I can Marlin fish one minute and bait fish the next and so on. There is much satisfaction to being your own captain and learning the ins and outs of offshore fishing. A 25' boat is not too big to use in the lakes when your stuck at home because of weather. I run a 24' Grady with twin 150 yamahas, all over North Texas lakes.

If you want to try it, try it. It may not be for you but since 1994, after 1 charter, I've been in my own boat, fishing as far out as 75 miles in the 24' and over a 100+ miles in a 32' boat I used to own.

I will be the first to admit it, but I am just a little bit scared of the concept of being so-o-o far offshore. I have been in a boat for 40 years, and have logged thousands (yes thousands) of miles navigating boats, but all on inland lakes or the bays. Love the gulf fishing, but a bit uneasy about taking the plunge and buying a boat. Was kinda' looking at a 251 sportcraft. And maybe after a couple short trips, I would grasp it and the fear would go away.

Just start with short runs offshore . It may be all fun you ever need . Oh make sure all Your plumbing is water tight and your have boatus , so you know someone can come get you if needed . Always head home well before dark in case of problems.Theres plenty of rigs within 10 miles of poc.

What bigtbone said. How most of us started. Kingfishing nearshore on light tackle is lots of fun. Believe it or not, ambassador 6500 will do the trick.

Hoping to get out to some Rigs on the calm days , have the same fears you have dryberry , have been working on this 24 footer since June .. Think it's gonna be fun once I start figuring things out. It has a 91 gallon fuel capacity.. Trying to nail down the possible range I will have with the 250 four stroke to get out to some rigs. Think it's looking like 2.5 mpg at 3500rpm that would be about 20 to 25 mph.. Have to run it a bit more to see where these numbers settle in at. Just added the T top , here's some pics ,,

I went for the first time in my own boat this year. As long as the weather is good I will risk it. Might buy a personal locator just for safety reasons. Being in control of where, when, and what you want to target that day is a blast.

Are you talking about those party boats where the rail is lined up with people standing shoulder to shoulder all around the boat, or something else? I have been out on those boats a few times, but it is so crowded and it hardly seems like fishing. It wouldn't be quite so bad if there could be at least a few feet between me and the people on either side of me. What are the alternatives to this?

Nice boat Whiskey, you should have a lot of fun with that one. I personally am a big fan of owning a boat and have for the last 10 years (until I sold my 22' bay stealth last summer). I have since tried some of the party boats and I refuse to use them anymore.

As far as getting the jitters out, I also agree with Bigdbone. Start out with short trips to the rigs you can see from shore. I would also add that if you have a friend that has a boat, buddy boat with them. I think what you will find is that the most challenging part is getting out past the jetties. It can be glass smooth past the jetties and still have 3 foot swells by the end of the jetty. Gets kind of hairy at times. I found that keeping it slow with the bow up will get you through it.

Some of the best times I have had with my Dad was out of Port O'Connor at the 9 mile rig. You cannot see land from there, but my cell phone always worked. I have never been skunked at that rig, lings, shark, snapper, King Macs, Spanish macs, bull drum, you name it, they are always there.