I just picked up a new 23' walkaround, hard top, 225 outboard and have it loaded with half the west marine catalog now. I bought it mainly for striper fishing and coastal fishing but I also enjoy offshore fishing and thought I'd give it a try if the weather was "right". Any thoughts on a boat this size safely trolling the fingers?

I've seen smaller boats out there. Two important things when taking a small boat offshore....

1. Weather, Weather, Weather....Pick your days and research what may happen during the next 12 - 18 hours. You do not want to get caught 70 miles offshore in a 23 footer when a front is moving through. It can change rather quickly out there.

2. Gas, know your gas useage and how much gas you have onboard. Running to and from the fishing grounds can consume a bit of gas. trollling, while not burning much gas, does use a fair amount over time.

Having said all that, as long as you know what your doing, get out there, it's a blast.....Bob....Still Think'n

Ditto what Bob said. I run with a guy that has a 22 Pursuit and we've run as far as the Cigar with ease, BUT it has been on days when the weather is perfect. We've seen guys out in Carolina Skiffs offshore...not that I'm recommending that, but if your convident in your boat and your skills, and know your range, go for it. Try to get up with another boat, too, when you're going offshore. It's good to know you have some back up in case something goes wrong, plus 2 boats looking for fish is better than 1.

Good luck and Catch 'em Up!

--Don

What kind of 23 Footer do you have? If its a Good hull yes go when the conditions favor, if its a 12 Deg. hull stay in lynnheaven

It's an 04 Sea Fox 230, 18* dead rise, w/ four stroke 225 and 120gal fuel tank.
BTW thanks all for your thoughts... They seem to fall in with mine thus far.

You should be OK but keep an eye on your feul.I would feel better about telling you to go if you had 140 Gal.

We, (Rockin Robin) run with a Honda 225 and 110 gallons and have never had an issue of wishing we had more gas. We've gone out to the Cigar...nearly 70 miles...and had no problem. If you're wanting to fish the Fingers and Wayne's World you'll be fine with 120. Remember...pick your days and buddy up.

--Don

That Honda don't burn much fuel! That trip to the Cigar we burnt around 50 gals!!! It probally would have been less except the extra 300lbs of tuna on board

An important the thing to determine is your range, we made many trips around the bay and up and down the beach til I knew what she would burn. A good trip in the winter is a trip outta Rudee heading south for Rockfish, seems every trip is alittle further the deeper into winter. Watch your mileage and get a sense of your fuel burn.

I think a 230 Sea Fox with a 4-stroke 225 and 120 gals should have plenty of range for offshore, just play it safe and pick your days.

I have a 225 Honda on my 23 SeaCraft it has a 145 Gal tank,I have never had a problem going offshore we have been out Past the Norfolk Canyon and come home with 1/3 a Tank after being out all day. Last summer we had to run south from a 80 mile wide thunderstorm we ended up 6 miles out side Oregon Inlet at 930 PM and doubled back to Owls Creek at 12 30 AM on fumes. I still go offshore but I watch the weather even closer than I did before.The next day I put 137 Gallons of gas back in my boat.The owners manuel says it is a 135 Gal tank but the tank has a decal on it that says it is a 145 Gal tank.

Interesting.. Keith we have the same boat and I thought mine had a 130 gallon tank. I need to check it out. I have flow meters on my boat that are very accurate - I can tell at any instance how much fuel I have used - except that once when I had it in the shop with a full tank and someone took 20 gallons from me. I came in expecting to need 30 gallons to fill up and it took 50. Thank god I had not been off shore and found myself in position of needing the extra fuel.

Donna Sea ,Pop off the round deck plate under the Helm Area,look at the Info tag on the Metal tank it says 145 gal on mine.I was thinking Seacraft means useable Gallons or they had to retrofit the tanks to fit the hull. I checked my fuel receipt it was actually 132 gallons I had to add the next day.While you are in that area look at the ground wire on the sending unit,its prone to corrode.I have had to clean mine off a few times.

Thanks for the tip - I'll do that..