Offshore in south Florida

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10-29-2019 | 09:51 PM

#11

sandslot

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From: Waterford, Michigan

My intent is to be south in the Classic late fall to end of March.... with a focus of short ocean trips in and out of Ft Lauderdale area.

10-29-2019 | 10:05 PM

#12

Keith Atlanta

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From: Delray Beach, FL

Its hit or miss in March. Some days like a pond and by 2PM there are 3 - 4 foot seas. To be honest, if you just want to cruise and go to lunch run the intercoastal anything above 2 feet outside. If you want to blast to the next inlet, hammer down.

10-29-2019 | 10:18 PM

#13

Craney

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From: Clayton NJ

There is a 28 Active Thunder with twin 350s in it for sale in Seattle Washington area.

10-30-2019 | 01:36 AM

#14

Griff

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Joined: Oct 2000

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From: Omaha/LOTO

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandslot

Thank you for the input. What brand of boat and or model should I look for? Thinking I want something well-balance, min porpoising..... I’ve read quite a bit about Fountain.....maybe there’s a better choice.

one added thought, if I wanted to keep it under 30’ so it it’s in my shop, would it be a big hit for open water (maybe only go on calm days)? .... Nd if that was the case, hat brand and model? Maybe my questions are too open ended....

How big is your shop?? You will probably want an aluminum trailer and they tend to be longer than steel ones depending on brand.

10-30-2019 | 05:15 AM

#15

B38

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From: Deland, Fl

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandslot

I was not familiar with Sonic, but based on a very preliminary review they seem like good ocean runners. How do these compare to a Fountain?

Fountain are good hulls, the beak takes away from cabin space. Low freeboard, shift throttle on left.
Also have rotten transoms do to not being sealed around tailpipes and rigging. Fountain is nice but the Sonic beat them out with all around creature comforts. In picture is my lastest project to run in salt water. Sonic 358 with closed cooling 502s MPI, XR drives. Should be a runner.
B38

10-30-2019 | 05:18 AM

#16

B38

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From: Deland, Fl

358 Diablo

10-30-2019 | 05:22 AM

#17

B38

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From: Deland, Fl

I'm 6.2", I can stand up in cabin. I have been in many combos of boats. Sonic seems to be in the middle of the road between cig and fountain.

10-30-2019 | 05:59 AM

#18

B38

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From: Deland, Fl

I have been scared to death on the ocean with 38'&42'. A boat 30' in the ocean may be a tad undersized since the waves are a 30' spread.
my 38' Bertram has made me safe a many a times in the big pond. Golf stream can eat you up and toss you around mid day. Ouch!!!.
Broken window frames loose, fridge on floor. Stereo busted out. Just basically hell when you get into confused seas. Best of luck. Early morning runs the best time.

10-31-2019 | 05:47 AM

#19

ToMorrow44

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From: Jacksonville, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandslot

That’s a great alternative I had not considered.....It sounds as if you are experienced in the area....if I did a 30’ on an average day and running with the shoreline could I go out? One mile?

Eh, only mildly familiar. I lived there for a few years and used my 27 a handful of times. My thing was to launch at Matheson Hammock or Homestead, cruise Biscayne bay down to Key Largo. So much nicer and quieter down there. Get away from all the annoying *******s blasting Latin pop at every sand bar in Miami/Ft Lauderdale.

The thing with offshore of south Florida is a lot of the time it’ll be reporting 1-2 footers. But the period between the waves is pretty small, so it’s kinda like a 1-2’ chop and can beat you up a bit unless your boat is long enough to span the waves as B38 said. I always had my little kids onboard so I didn’t bother, plenty of cool stuff to see and enjoy in the ICW.