www.iFourWinns.com

Ok so now I have returned from afghanistan and going to get the boat next weekend. I usually boat in the intercostal here in NC but would like to venture out in the ocean a little so i can shoot about 10 miles down the coast. My problem is I have to clue how to read the waves where the ocean meets the intercostal. Any advice would help greatly.

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2008 H200SS
4.3 merc
2008 Chevy 2500

Watch the ocean forecast and make sure the swell/wave totals less than 10'. The swell period will determine the roughness, a longer period will be nicer, wind waves on your bow will make it wetter. A small swell with a big wind wave will be miserable. If you are unsure stay in port, 10 miles isn't that far so you can pick a window of nice weather pretty easy. From what I have read you east coasters have a pretty gentle ocean compared to what we deal with out here in the NW. I have been across the Columbia Bar many times into a washing machine that made me pucker enough that I could barley get off the seat, but I wouldn't recommend that for everyone.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

Welcome home Jason!

Have fun out there and take your time and go when the weather is right, you'll have a blast in that boat!

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Jon & Rhonda

'88 235 Sundowner
5.7L OMC Cobra
'01 F150 4.2L

And make sure your insurance specifically allows for going out on the open ocean. Many policies will not cover it unless specifically noted.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Seeing as how it's a bowrider I'd keep the bow cover on just to be on the safe side if you encounter big wakes in addition to waves or if the wind kicks up...that's what I do when I go out into Long Island Sound...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Welcome home!

+1 on this.


Just pick a nice, warm day when the wind forecast is low.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

And if you don't have one...a portable VHF radio is a good idea too in case you have a problem and need to call the CG... (I have a permanantly mounted one and a spare just in case that I can hook up fast if the primary one fails)...make sure your bilge pump and auto switch works well just in case...battery jump pack if just a single batt system
We also have on the water towing insurance from Tow Boat US....it is actually pretty cheap and is well worth it...I have not had to use it yet but I know for a fact that if my boat broke down in any of the places I go (really only about 5-7 miles from where it is moored) the tow in could cost from 300-400 bucks...yes you read that right!

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Amen to that. I had to use towing for a soft-grounding into some mud (avoiding a nitwit pulling children on a raft IN THE CHANNEL). Pulling us out and towing us literally less than a mile would have come to over a thousand dollars. Remember their time is billed dock-to-dock from THEIR place, so the hours can really add up. Best $150 I spend each year from Tow Boat US (but choose whichever tow service is consider better in your area).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Welcome home.
Thank you for your service from a fellow vet.

Now enjoy your boat and life, you deserve it.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

Make sure you file a loat plan with someone so they know when you leave and know when you are supposed to arrive, that way if you dont show up they have a general idea where to look, also you can call the Coast Guard and ask what the weather is supposed to be, or tune into NOAA radio.

Mike

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Mike
2007 Horizon 200 SS
5.0 GXi SX drive.

So how'd the trip go?

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista