new to the V20

H

hookedandcooked

New member
I am a new member , and havent had my V20 out but a few times . I like to fish the chesapeke bay and would like to do a little offshore fishing . How capible is my boat , as i have been on my buddys 38 ft'er mostly . How far out do you think would be safe . I plan on goin at least 14 miles to chesapeke light tower.
 
Welcome Hooked! There is no blanket answer on the capability question. A lot of factors are involved. When it gets too rough its not fun on any boat. It sounds like you are not new to offshore, just the V20. The main restriction is going to be fuel and weather conditions. As you know certain winds are more favorable for a specific area. It may be dead calm within 5 miles of the beach and down right nasty out past that.

Watching the weather forecast and knowing your fuel burn rate is key. For example I get around 2 - 2.5 mpg with my setup. I've done a few 40 mile trips one way in less than ideal conditions, trolled 5 hours and came back with around 10 gallons to spare in my 60 gallon tank. Cut a little too close IMO!

All things considered I would not want to be 10 - 20 - or 30 + miles away in a building head sea on the return. One thing about the V's is when the waves stack up close you can and will start to take them over the bow. In this type of scenario it makes for a long slow ride +/- 10 mph.

My conclusion is the smaller the boat the more diligent you have to be in watching the weather and conditions. And always consider that things could change in a hurry - just like in any size boat.

My .02 - probably nothing you didn't know already! Again welcome!
 
I'm lookin forward to getting it out for a good fishhing trip. I also have a 60 gal tank what size motor do you have , so i can get an idea of my mileage
 
2004 150 hp Yamaha 2 stroke.

Among other things I would recommend getting familiar with your rig's fuel burn before venturing into the ocean with it. Some motors are thirstier than other and the prop size plays a role as well. I keep track by tracking miles traveled and how many gallons it takes to fill the tank at the end of the day.
 
As always, Blue Runner is dead on...when he says "know" your fuel burn, notice he didn't say 'GUESS" your fuel burn...and he's right about makin' it back in w/only 10 gals being too close...a common rule is 1/3 fuel capacity out...1/3 back in...and 1/3 left over for when things don't go just right...buffer. So if your V will get you 15 miles off on 1/3 of your fuel, then make that your limit...Sounds like you've been out enough to know how quickly things can go wrong out there...don't let us read about your @$$ in the newspapers...:zip:
 
Can't go wrong with the 1/3rds rule. :clap:

Note: the trips I went 40 miles were up the coast rather than dead east. At least if something went wrong I would have died within site of land! Makes it a lot easier to for the coasties to recover the bodies. :zip:

Its a good idea to have at least two VHF radios (fixed mount and handheld) 2 compasses, two cases of beer, and associated safety equipment. Know your heading so if the GPS goes out you can make it back in on the compass. Know how to relay your position to the CG.

J/K on the beer....that is optional equipment.
 
Welcome Hookedandcooked!! Unless that Johnson is mighty thirsty you should be fine on the gas consumption going out to the Chesapeake Light Tower (only 16 miles). Been out there a few times myself on my buddys 19ft. GW and didnt have any trouble. I haven't taken my V out there yet but May is coming and the Big Spadefish usually school up at the tower then!! Hope ta get out there soon. Just as the others said keep a close watch on the weather and all your safety equiptment up and running and you'll be fine. Good Luck and let me know when the Spadefish come in, the're alot of fun and mighty good eatin!!
:sun:
 
you will be fine!! I use to go in my V with a 175 HP about the same distance and always out and in and movking around with no more then 25 gal gas, mostly less.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I'm lookin forward to gettin her out on the bay . I'm putin hydrolic sterring on my V befor i take it out this year,my cable steering is real stiff . I hope I see you out at the tower this summer Cfelton , the spade fish are what I'm lookin for to . My buddy got one that tied the state record, I think last year .
 
I just converted to hydraulic last year after 2 failed cables in less than 2 years time. Somebody could have gotten hurt on the 2nd failure - running almost 30 mph w/ 6 people on board it snapped and motor suddenly turned violently to starboard. Sent us heading for a seawall but luckily I backed off in time and nobody got thrown out.

Its expensive but its the best.
 
A spade fish is black and white striped like a zebra ,shaped like a spade on a deck of cards. they average 4 to 10 # . The state record in Va is 14 # even I think. They are some of the best eatin fish in the ocean.
 
Just wanted to provide a welcome to the site. I too am new to my boat and leery of going out too far. There's great fishing out at stellwagon bank, but I may wait a few seasons before venturing out there.
 
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