Way back in the 1980's all of our races were offshore. That's why it was called offshore racing. I don't know why they call it offshore racing now.

I love to travel around Lake Michigan. Usually cross atleast once a year to various areas. Grand Haven to Milwaukee. South Haven to Chicago. Pentwater to Sheboygan. Frankfort to Greenbay. Charlevoix to Beaver Island/Escanaba. Didn't make any trips this year but hope to make up for it next year.

[QUOTE=dbkski;2752406]I know this is OSO but I often wonder how many people take
their boats "offshore"? To me "offshore" means crossing one
of the Great Lakes, a long trip being many miles away from
land, or for you ocean guys a trip to Bermuda or one of the
far away "keys". QUOTE]

Bermuda? I guy called me about a year ago and he wanted me to fly a Beech Baron to Bermuda. I said no thanks, and I fly across the atlantic several times a month. I need either a real boat or a Boeing for that trip. Doug

Two years ago we took our 31 Sonic from Marco Island Fl down to Key West. Was about 90 miles down and we were about 25 miles off the cost in some places. Was a little ruff in places but between a good GPS and my compass we had no problems at all. On the way back we got run down buy a Coast Guard Heelo which must have thought we were smugglers that far out with a gofast. He came up from behind and then flew about 20 feet of my starboard side getting to to slow down and call him on the radio. LOL They were very nice just asked us a couple of questions and told us to have a nice day. And we did

To be honest there's not really much here in NJ to warrant needing to travel "offshore" other than to say you did it or if you're fishing the Canyon.

Although, I do most of my traveling on the ocean, 40, 75, 100, 150 miles distances where we're close to the shoreline anywhere between 1-10 miles offshore depending on where we're going.

If you're on the ocean it is offshore......otherwise it is onlake.

That's right. depends on what's close to you/where you live.
+ to some extent, how big your boat is.
Going out far enough to lose site of shore is pretty cool.
At the same time, I haven't been "offshore" in 4-5 years? but doesn't really matter to me.

I usually make it out into the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston a couple of times a year. Pretty much stay in sight of land as there isnt much to look at out there

I'm always with Nort on this topic. The ocean is offshore, the Great Lakes, are the Great Lakes. I have boated on Lake Michigan many times and it can get ROUGH, but by definition it's still a "lake".

That said, we go offshore boating all Winter down in South Florida!

cause once you go 300ft off the beach you are over your head you are offshore now. ps or as soon as your toes don't touch the bottom I swim offshore,hahah