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Offshore in south Florida
I currently have a Donzi Blackhawk Classic 22 that’s in very good original condition. I live on a fresh water lake in Michigan and as I contemplate retiring, I was trying to understand what the best mid-80’s or 90’s boat and length I would need to run from Fort Lauderdale area to say the keys.... mYbe a mile out or so. I know my 22 won’t work and I have no issues rebuilding a couple of big blocks for maybe a 35’ boat? comments on any and all are much appreciated! |
Anything 35' plus would be a solid option for your description. Winter the seas are definitely a bit rougher but you can get into Biscayne Bay and get to the Keys pretty easy. If you run north and come in north of Boca Raton the ICW is pretty decent for running up to Palm Beach and north.
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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.... |
Any true offshore boat with decent freeboard over 25’ will be fine. Leave early, don’t go out when there are advisories and keep your eyes on the horizon, you’ll be good. |
Not my boat and I have no interest in it, but I can attest this boat will handle rough stuff quite well.
https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...ay-o75733.html |
Sonic 30' or 35' well rounded boat for ocean running. More freeboard downstairs with all the amenities like shower, head, long V birth, fridge, ac also can be had with 12 volts. No more generator.
my 2 cents. Photo for attentionhttps://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cd071affc6.jpg |
Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4712784)
I currently have a Donzi Blackhawk Classic 22 that’s in very good original condition. I live on a fresh water lake in Michigan and as I contemplate retiring, I was trying to understand what the best mid-80’s or 90’s boat and length I would need to run from Fort Lauderdale area to say the keys.... mYbe a mile out or so. I know my 22 won’t work and I have no issues rebuilding a couple of big blocks for maybe a 35’ boat? comments on any and all are much appreciated! |
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? |
Originally Posted by B38
(Post 4712812)
Sonic 30' or 35' well rounded boat for ocean running. More freeboard downstairs with all the amenities like shower, head, long V birth, fridge, ac also can be had with 12 volts. No more generator.
my 2 cents. Photo for attentionhttps://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cd071affc6.jpg |
You can boat all year. Its just tough outside in March, April and May so its a great time to just cruise the intercoastal. You can easily take out a 22 foot boat during the summer and go from inlet to inlet. People do it in 20 foot wakeboard boats all the time.
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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. |
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.
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There is a 28 Active Thunder with twin 350s in it for sale in Seattle Washington area. |
Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4712801)
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.... |
Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4712822)
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? 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 |
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https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1937d4db3d.jpg
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. |
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. |
Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4712821)
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? 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. |
Originally Posted by Griff
(Post 4712839)
How big is your shop?? You will probably want an aluminum trailer and they tend to be longer than steel ones depending on brand.
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Sounds like sonic and fountain are two worth looking at...where does or does donzi fit in somehow with these bigger boats? |
Baja 36 Outlaw
Cigarette 38 Top Gun Donzi 38 ZX |
I'm thinking of boating the same way (although I'm further north, Perdido Key) and I'm hoping my Formula 311 with twins serves the purpose.
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Originally Posted by B38
(Post 4712848)
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Originally Posted by CT River Baja
(Post 4713469)
Baja 36 Outlaw
Cigarette 38 Top Gun Donzi 38 ZX |
I think I’ve heard that above 35’ is the target for offshore, but I did see a good deal on a 32’ Chris Craft Stinger.... is that boat a candidate (despite its slightly shorter length? |
I have a very nice 33 Powerplay for sale which would be perfect. PM me for pics.
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Originally Posted by Moses
(Post 4713542)
is this the boat out of Vegas? |
Originally Posted by B38
(Post 4713576)
Yes
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Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4713573)
I think I’ve heard that above 35’ is the target for offshore, but I did see a good deal on a 32’ Chris Craft Stinger.... is that boat a candidate (despite its slightly shorter length? |
Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4713573)
I think I’ve heard that above 35’ is the target for offshore, but I did see a good deal on a 32’ Chris Craft Stinger.... is that boat a candidate (despite its slightly shorter length? |
Originally Posted by offshore312
(Post 4713867)
owned one, and loved it. Run it on Lake Michigan most of the time. Like any other boat, you will need to check transom and stringers, but the hull does handle some big water
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in the 30 range
31 sonic 31 cigarette bullet 33 powerplay 28 powerplay 29 powerquest 31 stuphen 33 stuphen 29 formula 31 formula 29 Baja outlaw 30 Baja outlaw 33 Baja outlaw Baja also has the performance Same hulls just has a windshield. Not sure what they made for hull sizes for a fountain under 35 is smaller then the boats listed above but are nice and fast. built well also. nothing against them. |
Originally Posted by caseyh
(Post 4713900)
in the 30 range
31 sonic 31 cigarette bullet 33 powerplay 28 powerplay 29 powerquest 31 stuphen 33 stuphen 29 formula 31 formula for a fountain under 35 is smaller then the boats listed above but are nice and fast. built well also. nothing against them. |
You can boat from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo without ever going offshore, but it requires you to take the intracoastal from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Then from Miami you are in the protected waters in Biscayne Bay to Key Largo. This can all certainly be done in a 30ft boat. From Key Largo to Islamorada you are more or less in protected shallow water on the gulf side, but from that point on to Key West (depending on where you cross back over to the Atlantic side) you are exposed to rougher water. Sometimes it is totally flat other times it is a bit spicey.
Alternatively, the better way to get from Fort Lauderdale to the Keys is to run outside in the ocean from Fort Lauderdale to Biscayne Bay then follow the same route described above. During the summer months the seas are frequently calm enough to run in a 30ft (or smaller) boat but during the winter 3-5ft seas are fairly normal and the Fort Lauderdale, Haulover and Miami inlets (not to mention the ones north of Fort Lauderdale) can get a bit wild. During these times a 35+ ft boat will definitely give you more options to be out running. As previously mentioned, with a smaller boat you can always trailer it down to Miami and start your trip from there if you have something planned but the waters offshore aren't cooperating. Lastly, if the water is calm on the shoreline it is generally calm several miles out so running one mile offshore would not be a problem on those days. |
Originally Posted by TheBigD
(Post 4713915)
You can boat from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo without ever going offshore, but it requires you to take the intracoastal from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Then from Miami you are in the protected waters in Biscayne Bay to Key Largo. This can all certainly be done in a 30ft boat. From Key Largo to Islamorada you are more or less in protected shallow water on the gulf side, but from that point on to Key West (depending on where you cross back over to the Atlantic side) you are exposed to rougher water. Sometimes it is totally flat other times it is a bit spicey.
Alternatively, the better way to get from Fort Lauderdale to the Keys is to run outside in the ocean from Fort Lauderdale to Biscayne Bay then follow the same route described above. During the summer months the seas are frequently calm enough to run in a 30ft (or smaller) boat but during the winter 3-5ft seas are fairly normal and the Fort Lauderdale, Haulover and Miami inlets (not to mention the ones north of Fort Lauderdale) can get a bit wild. During these times a 35+ ft boat will definitely give you more options to be out running. As previously mentioned, with a smaller boat you can always trailer it down to Miami and start your trip from there if you have something planned but the waters offshore aren't cooperating. Lastly, if the water is calm on the shoreline it is generally calm several miles out so running one mile offshore would not be a problem on those days. |
Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4713918)
thank you, very helpful!! Couple of questions. I will be there around Thanksgiving.... is there a local rental place that will allow that trip? Also, do you know what the name of the Miami marina I could get in from? Finally, if the seas are calm, could a 23’ boat go around at about a mile out..or not recommended? I ask as I have a buddy with a 23 that might want to go along. Thanks again! I'm not sure about boat rentals, I guess I would start starting calling around in Fort Lauderdale & Miami to see if any would let you. There are several boat ramps you can use: Haulover Boat Ramp (North Miami Beach), Beagle Boat Ramp (Miami Beach), Seminole Boat Ramp (Miami) are a few to check out. I sea small boats outside in between Fort Lauderdale and Miami all the time, so I am assuming if the seas are calm a 23' is fine. The best thing to do is google "Fort Lauderdale Beach Cameras" and take a look at the live cameras of the ocean before heading out (also take a look at the Dania Beach camera which is just south of Fort Lauderdale). Lots of times the actual ocean is much different than described in marine forecasts. If the ocean looks calm on the cameras you are usually good to go. If the water looks rough, it is probably rougher (or will get rougher) than it looks. |
A 33 OL with 502 mag mpi's would fit the bill and very reliable.
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Originally Posted by sandslot
(Post 4713879)
good to know as it was a boat of interest, but had not heard any feedback at all...thank you...I want to take a look at the boat soon as I need to have something behind the truck before late December to take south! |
Originally Posted by caseyh
(Post 4713900)
in the 30 range
29 formula 31 formula See attached for a 1988 Formula 311...31'1" to 33'0" https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fcba4e2b64.jpg |
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