Offshore in an F32

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:31 pm

Just curious for those who have been offshore, in an F32 and how far... I'm curious to it's sea keeping ability and if it's a good platform for offshore fishing- nevermind the fuel usage.

I've fished the Gulf of Mexico before a few times but nothing like the mid atlantic.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:08 pm

it would be ok , not great but ok ,and pick your days

jav · Post by **jav** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:48 am

I'm not a big off shore runner and if I was, the F-32 would not be my weapon of choice BUT, it doesn't mean it can't be used off shore. You'd be surprised what you'd see 20-30 miles out. The previous owner of my boat was big into sharking and routinely ran it out beyond Block and Martha's Vineyard with the occasional Canyon trip.

The F-32 was not really intented as a big sea runner. It has a modified V hull with fine entry and relatively flat aft section. It's also quite beamy for it's length. When sea's kick up, it will not run fast into a head sea... the speed must be kept down or she'll pound. Runnning in a following or quartering sea demands a little more attention- as do most boats in our size range. The most important thing on the F-32 is NO TABS and make sure you don't overload the bow or she'll bow steer. Other than that, it's a very stable boat and it will rock MUCH less than better blue water boats.

You'll here the guys that bash every boat that isn't a true blue water boat but the reality is- most ARE much better at running hard into a head sea BUT- they can also be a handful in following sea's and even just on the drift. You have to know what your doing becuase stupidity can get you in trouble regardless of your ride.

So I would say- the F-32 was not designed to be a wave smasher but if you pick your days, there should be no reason to avoid off shore duty. If things get rough (within reason)- a good and smart captian should be able to get the boat home... perhaps not as fast or as comfortably as others- but faster and safer than some.

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:10 pm

I know very little about boating, since I only bought my F25 about 3 months ago. But I think about those poor football players out 65 miles in a 25 footer. Can you imagine how small that is compared to the gulf, let alone the Atlantic!

For me, to get so far out from shore I may not see it, I'd have to be in something like the USS RONALD REAGAN aircraft carrier. Cluck, cluck!

It would take a braver heart than me.

Larry

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:15 pm

The proplem with the football players boat was not the boat , it was sadly human error .

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:47 pm

prowlersfish wrote:The proplem with the football players boat was not the boat , it was sadly human error .

No anchor is worth saving- just cut the damn line! That's just one of their errors. Sad but true...

Jav, I pretty much agree with what you say- just curious if there was someone here who has taken their boat offshore. No plans to head offshore unless someone with money wants to sponser me in the big OC White Marlin tournament one day...A man can dream...can't he?

willietrojan · Post by **willietrojan** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:14 pm

There is a guy in Ocean City, MD that runs his F32 out to Hambone (32Miles) and Jackspot(21miles)all the time and docks at Sunset Marina. He is on the following fishing forum and goes by Trojan Joe.

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/f133/

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:25 pm

Thanks Willie, I'll look him up!

captain don · Post by **captain don** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:06 pm

I now own an F-32 but took a trip across the gulf when I owned a Bayliner 32. I consider the Trojan to be a more seaworthy boat but as another poster wrote the main thing is to watch the weather. Listen to NOAH radio for a window of the calmest seas possible. 1 to 2 ft. is really good. Wouldn"t try much in anything over 3 ft. Came from Tampa to Apalachicola in a forcast of 2-3 ft. and had no trouble. Be sure you figure you fuel for any trip. No help out there. Captain Don

Mac32 · Post by **Mac32** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:21 pm

In my f32 I have traveled across lake Michigan from Holland to Chicago (75 miles) and milwaukee (90 miles). So I guess this would mean at least 45 miles from land at one point.

Got caught a few times (twice) in 5-7 footers that were quite close together and it was a white knuckle ride for a few hours. Its funny now when I think of it but we buried the nose a and sent the props spinning at the skies over a steep crest more than once, well probably more heavy cavitation than air spinning but thats what it felt like.

I was with a few seasoned sailors that knew what was going on both times so we made it without any problems (if it was my wife I would be divorced).
So the boat didn't physically break but, I can tell you that it is not my first choice for heavy seas off shore boat, For a direct size comparison It doesn't come close to my buddies old bertram 33 that has a deeper v, bigger props and, much more ponies under the hatch.

In the long run, maybe this is the answer you are looking for. :
I still own my F32 and will not hesitate to take her out 50 miles (but I will check the forecasts and play safe odds).

I do recommend a few things:

1) Get out in mild waves (few feet) and get used to what angle you can let the following seas hit and how it pushes the boat while under way, play and get pushed so you know what it feels like.

2) Play in bigger waves (close to home of course), no trim tabs and see what kind of power you have available, if its like my 318 setup it will be a little under sized so get used to it. She doesn't dig in very well going up hill. This may also be due to the flat wide bottom causing her to ride the wave more than push through it. But it is what it is you just drive her accordingly.

3) Bilge, pump. Bilge pump, Bilge pump. Make sure you have one good one, if not two in the aft. Its not factory so they all dont have them because at the dock the boat sits bow heavy. But when running and in heavy seas you WILL take on water either over the deck or through the side vents. This is not good but it is a problem with the earlier f32s so if you are aware of it it is easily managed, and you will feel her sitting heavy in the aft when water gets in the bilge. Just pay attention.

I had a rear bilge pump go out on a trip and thought nothing of it until she starting feeling sluggish, had a good foot of water in the bilge....Glad I checked. so for the rest of the trip I had to back down and let the water flow to the bow to get pumped out.

So all in all, I will still take my f32 off shore and will still complain she doesn't handle all that great and needs more horsepower, but with confidence I know we will make it home.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:22 am

I love my F32, but it is NOT an offshore fishing battle wagon. It is too beamy for its width, and very flat. It is downright dangerous in 4'+ following seas.

Pick your days, check the wave forecast and you can run it offshore, but if you have engine problems in heavy seas, you would have a handful. I have used it offshore a few times, and its a great ICW cruiser!

Here in Charleston SC, we must run 50-70 miles offshore to the ledge, and I do not take this vessel! I am much safer in my deep V hulled 26, which I have run in heavy seas (12' i one harrowing experience).

The F36 is basically the same hull, with 4 extra feet in the back. This is you offshore fishing platform.

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 4:43 pm

I wouldnt,
not that type of boat

willietrojan · Post by **willietrojan** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:09 pm

Be careful offshore with any boat! 48 Ocean Yacht 55 miles out of Ocean City,Md last week.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:16 pm

Willie, I saw that...actually he runs out of OC. The boat sank 55 miles out of Cape May, NJ. Sad story. Here's CG video.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news ... 002e0.html

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:38 pm

Glad everyone was rescued, though I'm not sure I'd want to continue fishing on someone else's boat after that....