Sailboaters and ocean gurus inside

[volente_00]

Quote from Wayne Gibbous:

Good idea about the prop. Most props on boats like an 18 don't use a shear pin anymore AFAIK. At least mine doesn't (18ft Searay/w 150 merc and ss prop). They have a rubber hub cushion setup but the problem is, if you hit something and it spins the internal rubber bad enough, the prop will need to be refurbished. The hub will just spin and you are pretty much dead in the water. So bring another as backup. It can just be a cheap aluminum one. Definitely check your prop to see what setup you have, and try taking it off/putting on. Could be hard and you don't want to struggle with it on the water.

Prop is stainless by mercury, 23 pitch. I bought it when I bought the boat back in 2008. Motor can be brought high up to a trailer postion but still would be difficult to change in the water with waves breaking on you. I do have 2 paddles and a trolling motor for it as well.

 

[volente_00]

Quote from Banjo:

Damn, only read the headlines , didn't know those guys were 80 mi out in a 20 ft.
I'm a bluewater ocean sailor with 25 yrs experience and 25 yrs of owning/ building sailboats. Twice around the world, ocean racing, two transpacs , Los Angeles to Honolulu, more Newport to Ensenada's than I can remember, etc, etc.
Your idea is fine. I can't stress enough the value of the coast guard courses. They respect a boater that has completed them and you will learn the proper rules and regs. Staying close to shore, plenty of fresh water to avoid dehydration , a canvas top to keep the sun off, enough fuel properly battened down so weight doesn't shift and you should be fine. Every marina has a harbor master and that official will have guest docks or know where to find them.
Familiarize yourself with tidal currents etc, they can be pulling you out causing you to burn more fuel, higher engine revs to correct, all sorts of problems generating the next set of problems are possible. The radio should be fine.To reiterate, it's about preparation and safety, hence the coast guard education.

Yea crazy to be that far out in a small boat, said the swells reached 14 foot. I intend to keep about 20 gallons of freshwater and 20 of fuel aboard and the boat has a full bimini top. I would like to just travel from like 6 - 7 am to 12- 1 everyday in order to stay out of the summer heat and spends the afternoons docked and resting. I'll defintely check into the coast gaurd class.