[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by Cutiger

We used to run to 80-120 feet during the summer, which is a fricking haul out of St. Marks to the SW, but we were in a 29 Mako, not a run you'll do a single engine 20 footer.

Yes you can go that far offshore in a single engine 20'. I used to take my 20' Seafari 105 miles offshore out to the Florida Middle Grounds launching from Cedar Key or from Fort Island in Crystal River. I did it several times and never had an issue.

That being said, I never went as a solo boat, but in the company of other boats, most often along with a 23' SeaCraft Tsunami and a 44' Cruisers, which served as our floating hotel. Your boat has to be in good condition, as does your boater, and your complete boating plan. If any of the three are even a little questionable, don't go.

I've also run a 20' SeaCraft from Lake Worth/Palm Beach over 50 miles of open Atlantic Ocean to the Bahamas more than 30 times, not to mention in other boats as small as a 13' Whaler. You'll find that lots of CSC members have made this same run many times.

The only time I ever had trouble was in 1984 in a 25' Robalo with twin 200 Mercs when the owner hit a coral head north of Grand Bahama with both motors at about 25 mph, making both motors inoperable. Fortunately, he had a kicker bracket and a 15hp Chrysler kicker stowed in the forward fish box, which ran like a fine Swiss watch, getting us all the way back to Ft. Pierce. (There was no such thing as "Sea Tow" or "TowBoat US" back in those days.

If the boat is right, the plan is right, and the boater is right, go have fun!