FS Digest

So I live in Tallahassee and my friend and I are planning on getting an inflatable raft and trolling motor to expand our fishing location but my question can you go out in the ocean with just the raft and trolling motor or do you need an actual motor? And do you still need to register the vessel if there is only a trolling motor? Thank you in advance!

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by droptopjosh

FS Digest

You need to register it if you are putting any kind of motor on it, and you will need a title. They have saltwater trolling motors you can buy. I have an old 9’ Jon boat with a trolling motor I use on the rivers down here in central Florida.

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by Dudley151

FS Digest

You do need to register the raft. Gov't wants that money. For the ocean reliability is the goal. Not necessarily the power. power = conditions, reliability = destinations. i.e. two 9.9hp motors make me feel more comfortable far from home than one 140hp. One 140hp makes me feel more comfortable in heavy seas than two 9.9hp. Having twin 140hp on a twinVEE makes my pants tight.

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by runz_with_waves

FS Digest

Please don’t go out on the ocean in your raft. Put it in a lake or the bay under the right conditions.

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by mrGBX

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Take the money for that inflatable and buy something that will last. Just think hooks and rubber don't mix well.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Droptopjosh: You are taking your life in your hands to do as you've suggested. Watch the wave action when there is a 10 to 15 mph on shore breeze, and then calculate whether you can navigate into the wind with what you've suggested for power. And that is only the minimum, think about much higher wind force?

Now, people have done more risky things. If you do strike out, make your trip into the wind, so you can come home with the wind. I make the same recommendation to "newbies" taking out a kayak. You are going to be tired, so take advantage of the power of the wind, rather than fighting it! You are only betting your life! I live close to the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston. They regularly find empty kayaks and small fishing boats! The crabs think humans are delicious! Just Sayin.....RJS

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

You are so right RJS and wade fishing can be just as dangerous. we fished San Luis pass a lot saw a helicopter carry a body out one day kinda ruined that day.

kpt Loc: texas

You are so right Cam. That's not a very good ideal. I have a 10' Jon and a 50lb thrust troller and sometimes it's even hard to get off the lake with the wind in your face. Better to keep that thing in a lake. Not to mention like plumbob said, hooks and rubber don't mix.