"You are going 20 miles off shore, alone, on a "beach cat"?

Really?

Why?


Robi, we got one for you!"

I used to do that on my Hobie 16 and 18 - mounted a compass on the front cross beam, packed food and water in a cool cat and pushed off of Galveston Beach going straight out for the day. Carried a full set of replacement rigging and tools in a pocket stitched under the front of the tramp. That's back when I was in my 20's and 30's. I liked solo sailing but prepared as best I could for the risks.

At this point in life, I'd do it again but with a buddy in his fishing boat in the same general area with me so I could hail him on my portable VHF before I activated the EPIRP.

Point is, I want a boat that is in excellent condition.
Whether you are 20 miles out or 4 doesn't matter much if your sailing on a cat that's been abused and breaks up on you.