This forum is for comments and the exchange of information relating to Trojan Boats and boating. Please do not post used parts or boats For Sale in this area. For general, non-boating topics please use our "General Discussions" section.
Note: Negative or inflammatory postings will not be tolerated.
I don't know what kind of hull the 30 foot Sea Raider has vs 30 foot flybridge model I have, but it will handle some weather.
Mine has a bit of a flat bottom in the back, so the time I was out in 7 foot following seas last Winter I felt a little uncomfortable - I am not a fan of surfing. We made it, but I didn't like it
My husband slept through the whole thing so it must not have been that bad.
But like everyone else has said - there are probably better boats for that kind of purpose, but if you aren't planning on going out in the rough stuff you should be fine.
Any boat is a compromise. You are fortunate that your boat choice is for one purpose - offshore fishing. With that in mind, IMO, you would be money ahead to pursue a boat that has been designed, built and proven for that purpose. I used to think I was doing fine on that thin hulled, flat sterned Chris Craft 35 miles offshore until my son bought the Bert and I ran it through the inlet one afternoon with a 6' following sea. I was lucky and survived some near misses pushing my CC beyond it's envelope. Not everyone does.
1980 F-36 with 6BTA 250 Cummins enjoying the Sounds and coastal waters of North Carolina
My f25 does pretty good in 2-4 with 6-8 seconds between swells, but wouldnt take it out in anything rougher, mostly what it boils down to is ow much experience behind the wheel and what your comfortable with. What part of NC are you in?
no, that one by the tennis courts is taylor's creek, you turn at the first light going into beaufort, go to the end of the road and turn left and go about 100 yards to the airport ramp, much nicer facilities and deeper water.
i never lauch on that one, maybe you can give some precise direction to it, and how to get to the ocean from there. since i've going to beaufort i always go to the taylor's creek docks i guess cause im familiar with it and just stick to it...but ill try something else idf its better or get me to the ocean quicker
Made2008, the weather guys get it wrong all the time. I have been out 10 miles in my F26, in what was supposed to be "2-3" footers that were 3-5 by the time we decided we'd better run in. Did the boat "handle it"? as you say. Sure but it was no fun because it is a big bull nosed cabin cruiser that was designed for a spacious cabin and beamy back deck, not a 5' quartering sea. What's more, is that a less experienced captain (not bragging guys) might have gotten into trouble.
Listen to these guys on the forum, they know what they are talking about.
MY CURRENT FLEET
2003 KEY WEST 2020 WA
1978 14' ASHCRAFT SKIFF
Where are you going 30 miles out of? Hatteras? Morehead?
TAs you know, i tcan get pretty dicey quick off of the Outer Banks, so pick your days. The 30 should be good up to a 3' chop 30 miles out. Any more and you'll wish you had more deadrise. With tte shallow reaqr draft, it can be dicey on a following sea (typical in the afternoon sea breeze).
As others have stated - redundancy is they key. I take my 26', since screw boat out to the Gulf Stream, but only when I'm with other boats and on decent days. I don't take my F32 out because its 60 miles each way + trolling and too expensive when I have friends with more economical boats.
2 Radios, 4 bilge pumps (2 fore & 2 aft), hand pump, 2 or 3 GPSs, EPIRB!!!, 2 sets of USCG flares, 3 or 4 batteries, floating ditch bag, plenty of water, etc.
Good luck - Mahi have been thick here (on certain days). We even deep fried some cajun coated King Mack chunks and they were good (who woulda known?).
Oh yeah -
HOW ABOUT THOSE GAMECOCKS!!!!!!!! #1 US College Baseball team!
Captain Ross, 2009 Trojan Boater of the Year
"Viva Mahia" F32 Cummins 6BTA diesels,
"Mack Attack" Chaparral 244 Fish, SeaPro 180, McKee 14, Montauk-17
