| Offshore fishing is the stuff of legend, and brings | | | | while for the Coast Guard to come and get you! |
| about daydreams of hours-long battles with huge | | | | In general terms, the bigger your offshore boat |
| sailfish ala Hemingway. To realize those dreams, | | | | the better off you are. Of course, this is a moot |
| one must first own the right equipment, including | | | | point to those of us not rich enough to buy one |
| an offshore fishing boat. Offshore fishing boats | | | | of those huge cabin cruisers that we all dream |
| are not your everyday boat. They are much | | | | about. Trade-offs may need to be made...Just |
| heavier and more rugged than the average lake | | | | make sure that you are aware of the risks and |
| runabout you see in many of your neighbor's | | | | take them under consideration when purchasing |
| driveways. In fact, you are highly unlikely to see | | | | your boat. As might be expected, offshore boats |
| any kind of offshore boat in anyone's driveway | | | | are the most expensive of all leisure boats due to |
| as most are not trailerable, though some of the | | | | the increased ruggedness and sheer size of them. |
| smaller ones are. | | | | Offshore boats range in size from about 26' in |
| Safety is a primary consideration when purchasing | | | | length to just about any length you can imagine |
| an offshore saltwater fishing boat, as you can't | | | | and you can expect to pay anywhere from |
| just take any boat out into the open ocean. | | | | $40,000 on up to a cool $500,000 for a good |
| These boats must be able to withstand some | | | | offshore boat. Anything more expensive than |
| rolling ocean waves, and be able to protect the | | | | that is a yacht and is nothing more than a status |
| occupants in case of sudden inclement weather. | | | | symbol! |
| I'm not saying that your boat should be able to | | | | The smaller offshore boats will be equipped with |
| plow through the perfect storm, but at least be | | | | either single or dual outboard motors. Most |
| able to get out of the rain and expect to come | | | | offshore motors will be of the high-horsepower |
| out alive should a few waves come along. Other | | | | variety, due to the need to power through rough |
| safety concerns includes having bilge pumps, radio | | | | waters. On larger boats, you can expect to have |
| contact with the shore, and radar to detect | | | | an inboard diesel motor of many hundreds of |
| oncoming vessels who may not detect you, | | | | horses. The overall price of the boat, of course, is |
| especially if you should happen to be one of those | | | | directly related to the amount of power that is |
| crazies who likes to fish close to shipping lanes. | | | | packed into the motors. |
| Having an adequate supply of food and water is | | | | This article gives a general overview of some of |
| also a primary concern should you be forced to | | | | the items to consider when shopping for an |
| camp out for a while due to a conked out motor | | | | offshore saltwater fishing boat. |
| in the middle of inclement weather. It may take a | | | | |