Sending a colony ship alone into Rage territory is NOT a good idea. Lacking better tech (turn 8 low tech) I sent a small transport with 6 minelayes 2 cargo with it. Carries 42 small mines plus 15 and 4 population in the colony ship. Launches up to 12 per turn. Do not launch unless you have to because you will really need those mines when the colony plants.

Assuming you have plenty of minerals, then building a yard facility and six base yards puts you ahead on mine production within 24 turns, with a profit per turn of 30-10 mines with yard 1. You just need to have a starting stockpile big enough to withstand 3-4 mine sweeper attacks. Plus you can build ships really fast when the time comes....