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