inshore beginner

[Guest]

I've recently bought a 17' coble with o/b to use for fishing inshore. I am not new to boats having experience on norfolk broads/lakes etc, but I would like to know what extra information I need to know regarding taking a boat out to sea and of owning my first boat.

 

[iainmillett]

Look at the range of RYA classes as soon as possible - initially theory and then practical.

Enjoy the sport - but be informed about it.

My single tip is to watch the weather and get forecasts if possible. If it's wet saty in the pub!

 

[AndrewB]

Take care!!

Very small open fishing boats used off the shore are high risk and have a rotten safety record.

You should carry a range of safety gear including life jackets, flares, VHF radio, warm clothing. You must have a backup means of propulsion, even if only a stout pair of oars. RYA, MCA (Coastguard) and RNLI will all be very pleased to provide full safety recommendations - see their websites.

RYA courses aren't geared for fishing boats. Take a genuinely experienced friend with local knowledge the first few times, and be very, very cautious until you have built up decent experience yourself of what it is like on open water, in tidal currents, in winds of F4-5. Keep in company with other boats.

Be particularly wary if the wind is blowing offshore, when everything looks just fine from the beach. That is when many accidents occur.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Tides, chart, fuel

One big difference is tides. Depending on where you are planning to fish, tides can run at considerable speeds. Apart from everything else, buy local tide tables and tidal charts. You'll be able to look-up the time of local high water and relate this to the chart to find out what speed and direction the current will be running for any hour that day.

Also buy the local waters navigational chart, which will tell you lots of good stuff about depths, nature of the bottom, hazards, where buoys and lights are, etc.

And always take a spare can of fuel. Running out of fuel is a major reason for rescue calls.

And did anyone mention flares yet? You can buy a ready assorted inshore flares pack at most chandlers.

 

[Guest]

Re: Tides, chart, fuel

All of the above is good advice but there are two things you might conceder, one, contact the RNLI and ask for a FREE Sea Check, someone local to you will come along from the RNLI and give totally unbiased advice on your boat and equipment. Two, think about joining a local boat fishing club, where you will find both friendly help and advice.