A terminology suggestion.

Just a suggestion on terminology so we all talk about the same thing and understand the same thing by whats said / typed.

With regards to hull here - on this predominantly bream fishing board - we see folks referring to boats as river boats, bass boats bream boats etc - and meaning different things at times.

Some guys fish for more than just bream and want a boat that can be used in the ocean as well on occasion.

Oftem when referring to this they suggest they want "limited offshore capability" or "the capability to be used Offshore on good days" etc.

What does 'offshore' mean?

anything past the beach?

3 miles out to sea?

5 miles out to sea?

12 Miles out to sea (where the land becomes no longer visible!)

20?

50?

120?

What does "offshore" mean?

Should we talk about, say

River boats, Inshore (bay) boats and Offshore boats instead?

If we look at the "rules" by Transport department, they specify things like "offshore flares" & two way radio's, when beyond 3 nautical miles, or 5 nautcal miles, as well as an EPIRB etc...

So - should the Marine Transport rules and regs be classed as the arbiter of what "offshore use" means?

Is a boat without an Epirb, 2 way radio, SOLAS life preservers, and offshore flares, "really offshore capable" in limited situations , on calm days , etc as people sometimes describe?

Should we be talking about boats with river / inshore / bay use rather than "offshore use" in a bream forum?

I think that would be closer to the mark for the majority if users...

We need to remember there are youngsters who read these pages - I'd hate to think of some of them heading "offshore" in little tinnies without the appropriate gear because someone suggested here in writing that a certain type of boat was "limited offshore capable"....

I think it would be handy perhaps if we adopted a better method/terminology to describe the capabilities of vessels / boats / hulls on this forum lest we inadvertantly give anyone the wrong impression.

Thoughts?

Cheers!

Let commonsense prevail. Everyone should know their own boats capabilities whether in the River or on the Ocean.

[Brody]

yes father bear, they should, as we do, we take our topender sometimes 5 or 6 k's out so we know what our boat is capable of. but i think the point that trouty is trying to make is that you shouldnt head out there with out the right safety gear, and as you say knowing your boats and you boating capabilities.

cheers, Brody

Couldn't agree more. Safety Equipment is utmost when venturing off the Coast. It's amazing the amount of boaters that still do not carry everything that is required of them, especially in the North.

[wingala]

Nautical Virgins are sadly a great expense to search and rescue services but outstanding news items for the forktongued media.
Ive seen a couple of excellent examples of idiots that posess the pussycats nine lives.
This one never made the news desk as the youngsters who were involved had politician parents.
These two 25year olds were staying at daddy's holiday house in pittwater sydney. They wanted to go out dancing in the city. A $50 cab fare each way was deemed uneconomical As they were both drunk they thought this method of transport would be safer. They took Daddy's 18ft cuddy cabin from church point, out around Barrenjoey then full steam ahead to Sydney town. Petrol or lack thereof became a problem at Narrabeen beach. They just made it to collaroy basin, called a cab to get a ride to the service station. He then bought all available petrol tins and filled em up and paid with Daddy's fuelcard.
All fuelled up, Vrroooom next stop Darling Harbour Sydney.
They danced and drank most the night. When the night club closed 3am they stumbled back to their daddy's shining steed and embarked on the return journey.
"Home James and don't spare the horses!"
By the time they got to Barrenjoey headland, fatigue, queezy bellies and a fresh southerly change took there toll.
One started chucking then number two started as well. The next challenge of disorientation coupled with extreme intoxication rendered them running aground near Pearl Beach Umina area.
It was clear to these two donuts that an alternate mode of transport was required to get the last 10 - 15 miles home as Daddies boat was nearly as trashed as the two of them. As they wandered off the rocks and onto the beach they were greeted by a couple of constables from gosford station. Once proof of identity and family ownership was established, Gosford's finest dropped the two rather damp fools at the train staion where they boarded the next train to hell and beyond as Daddy was waiting at Hornsby station to provide them the final leg of their journey.
To quell any thoughts that I may have been one of these very lucky pratts. I know the families gardener. We gardeners often double as our master's/mistresses confidents and councillors.
I believe the two lads have survived the fathers sentence and punishment.
The pic below is one of my ocean going vessels. The photo was taken the day before my succesful return voyage to the Chatham Islands. Next time I head that way I will definately pack another jumper.