I have an 86 204c. Pretty much fish the back of raritan bay with. Couple foot chop on worse days. Boat has done great. Looking to start fishing inshore ocean maybe 8 to 10 off tops. Curious if anybody doas this in an overnighter. Hull seems to stand up pretty well when the bay gets rough. Wondering if anyone has some experience with this hull in the ocean.
86 204c inshore ocean
- Thread starter gxsess
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Doc Stressor
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- Seafarer
The hull is stable, but rides very wet and pounds in a chop. You'll need your canvas.
Nobody fishes in 8' to 10' seas offshore. I used to fish my 204C in 3'-5' seas out of Niantic CT. It couldn't ride on plane in anything over 3'. But the hull slogs very well with the bow up at about 15 mph. I took green water over the bow many times fishing the race and I remember the cooler floating around in the rear of the boat on several occasions. Hitting the throttle just spilled the water over the transom.
I got caught in a thunderstorm at night in the Gulf where all we could do was to face the bow into the waves and hang on for 4 hr. The hull can take a lot more than you can as long as it's in good shape.
Nobody fishes in 8' to 10' seas offshore. I used to fish my 204C in 3'-5' seas out of Niantic CT. It couldn't ride on plane in anything over 3'. But the hull slogs very well with the bow up at about 15 mph. I took green water over the bow many times fishing the race and I remember the cooler floating around in the rear of the boat on several occasions. Hitting the throttle just spilled the water over the transom.
I got caught in a thunderstorm at night in the Gulf where all we could do was to face the bow into the waves and hang on for 4 hr. The hull can take a lot more than you can as long as it's in good shape.
thanks guys, I did mean 8-10 miles offshore. Hull is stable. I am having the transom redone this winter. Floors are solid
On a good day, 8 to 10 miles is nothing. After clearing the inlet in Wachapreague, VA I cruised another 20+ in my old 204 before wetting lines on multiple occasions.
Watch your forecast carefully though because it doesn't always look like this out there...
I got caught once after the wind picked up and while the boat took it, I can't say it's something I would want to go through again.
Get your fuel tank and lines checked/replaced as well. They're overdue if they haven't been done already. Thru-hulls too.
Watch your forecast carefully though because it doesn't always look like this out there...
I got caught once after the wind picked up and while the boat took it, I can't say it's something I would want to go through again.
Get your fuel tank and lines checked/replaced as well. They're overdue if they haven't been done already. Thru-hulls too.
When I got mine I wasted no time on learning how the boat handles in 3-4-5 ft seas, went out and turned around about 5 min later, too much pound for me. And wet. The boat was real solid and never had a thought I was pushing its limits. But, my back and butt not so much. Also, I cound not keep the boat on plane at lower rmps, it would squat so bad I hads to come off plane. 2-3ft was my limit. My enclosure stays on when I go out now. Last year I got trim tabs and now I feel pretty comfy taking on the 3- 4ftrs and staying on plane even in a pretty snotty chop at low rpms, Can even hold a drink in my hand (soda of course). 4-5 ft, well you have to slow down to just barley on plane but its still better with the tabs. Now thats heading into. Following or quartering, I still have not found the happy place but found bow up, tabs up motor trimmed in, hand on the throttle I can keep pretty good control. Have been out 18 miles once and felt pretty good but the day was like the picture above, I would not go out that far with a 3-4 ft with chop predicted. Also I did not feel good knowing my cell phone had not sig. But thats just me. The boat can take it if its in good shape.