Boating Questions

[MrHunters]

Originally Posted by plankton

If you're planning on running in/out the mouth of the Merrimack then you'll need something fairly seaworthy, 17 or 18' minimum, the mouth can get pretty rough, especially on the incoming. I would suggest learning how to handle your boat really well before attempting that spot on a rough day, lots of people have gotten into real trouble there when they didn't know what they were doing.

ill echo and stresss that.

that mouth is good for a few a year. my girlfriend didnt believe me until she actually came out and saw how bad it was....regarding the waters, nevermind the 200 yahoos running around

[keeperreaper]

It is not the size of the boat that makes the captain its the captain that makes the boat. Dont EVER believe you are safer in a certain size boat because even a large one can sink or even worse kill you.
Also it is a comfort level and skill thing. You acquire those from time on the water and learning from others that have more skilland/or experience. Some people wont boat in fog and darkness; others will. Skills learned experience gained. Learn to trust your electronics. They dont LIE and will save you if used properly in certain situations.

Test drive the boat in snotty weather so you have some sort of idea of how the boat handles. Run it hard into the wind and waves, quartering seas and following. Slow down to a trolling speed in all sea types. Some boats are great on the troll some suck. That way you really have a true representation of how the hull handles. Get the compression checked by a mechanic. Get the hull surveyed. Bad compression means the engine is $hitty. A rotted transom means big $$$$$ to fix.

Deep v boats wont pound as much as moderate vee boats do. Some roll fast on the drift some bow to and some even drift beam to. Find this out if you plan on drift fishing. CC's are wetter than Pilot house boats but you cant fish the front of pilot house boats as well as you can CC's. Boating is all about trade-offs

If I were you I'd try to get on as many boats as possible to A) see how different ones ride and handle B) gain valuable experience C) learn the do's and don'ts of boating.
If you are going to be fishing and boating the Merrimack find some people who own boats and go with them. Split the gas $$$ with them. Ask questions and observe. Wind opposing either an incoming or outgoing will makes inlets DANGEROUS.

They are EXPENSIVE and time consuming. That being said, I dont have a problem running 60 miles one way in my 21' boat, running in fog and darkness, and fishing solo (I dont recommend but I do a lot).
I trust my boat and know my limitations and the boats limitations and characteristics. Good luck and most importantly Be Safe. Take some boating classes. KR
They are a blast to own.