Boat sizes

bassin · 04-23-2002, 05:06 AM

I have not fished the big blue pond in years. In the late 80's I moored my 22 Foot in IIwaco, Wa. So what size of boat is needed to fish out of the Tillamook Area. I have read the post of the past weekend bottom fishing and Crabbing, and it reminded me of the old days before I went to bass fishing.
I own a 19'- 18 degree V bottom, Duckworth with a 150 Prop. Given the disclaimer of weather, wind and experence. Would this boat work for some of that BF and offshore crabs?What kind of run is it to the rock pile? Any input will be welcome.
Thanks in advance.

Pilar · 04-23-2002, 06:57 AM

Anyone with a sled, chime in here. Pete? Aluminum river boats ride rough in the ocean. Having said that, it is possible to go for a crabbing trip or a short run to a reef on a nice day.

The huge problem is that if the flat ocean turns into something else then you will take a beating getting home.

19 degrees is much better than the typical 12 degrees. There are other things to consider. Is the bow used for storage? Most of the sleds I see have a compartment used for anchor line or whatever in front of the windshield. Then there's a couple of 1" drains, one on each side. Imagine what happens when that area gets filled by a breaking swell. At 8 lbs to the gallon water is pretty heavy. The nose goes down and the next wave comes in too. The drains are small so the water stays there way longer than you want it too.

If this is you get a canvas to cover it. The type that has a bolster under it to support the weight of water.

The other issue with sleds is the inefficiency of jet drive and fuel consumption. You don't have that problem. Do some homework and find out what your fuel burn rate is and exactly how your gas gauge works. You should be able to translate any level on the gauge into how much is left.

The Rockpile is about 15 - 17 miles depending on where you start fishing. This last Saturday I put 20.6 gallons in the boat after a 15 mile check ride Friday and the Rockpile run on Saturday. That was also 5 hours on the meter. About 4 gallons an hour at 18 - 20 mph. Total distance about 55 miles.

What size? I've made the run to 3 arch in several boats the smallest of which was a 16' bell bouy, fiberglass and outboard. Your 19' should be good. The big challenge will be finding a nice enough day to avoid getting a beating from the chop.

Tacklebuster · 04-23-2002, 07:36 AM

Bassin,
I too own a sled and like to get out into the big blue whenever possible. When I ordered my boat, I kept a few things in mind for the bar hop. I have a bow that is completely closed with drain holes in the side almost big enough to put my fist through. I didn't want any storage in the bow so it is water tight and the water drainage is very fast.

Your prop will be more efficient than my pump so the question would be what fuel capacity does your sled have? I have a 42 gallon tank and I still cary a little can of go juice with me. I always look for the water report and as long as the combined seas are 8 foot or less, it isn't a real bad ride. Pick a good day and give it a shot with a buddy boat at your side. You should be fine.

Troller · 04-23-2002, 08:49 AM

Now you guys have me a little worried I just purchased a 22 foot alumaweld formula vee with an 18 degree bottom. It has a outdrive bracket that the motor is mounted. It hangs out 2 feet with the motor behind that. I do have a kicker and 80 gallons of fuel capacity. It also has the open bow witch is about 1 foot deep and has the drain holes in it. So should I have a cover made for the bow and have it supported to hold the weight. I am not new to using a boat but new to saltwater. I have fished the sound but not the big blue before and am planning some trips out their this summer.

Pilar · 04-23-2002, 09:07 AM

On a nice day the cover is unnecessary. I fish up to a total of 10 on the sea state. Add Seas and swells At the worst of these conditions we will take green water over the bow at least once in a day. This happens on a sneaker wave or catching a swell just right.

I'm pretty happy with the new canvas top. The green water no longer soaks the people in the boat.

Joe Schwab · 04-23-2002, 10:06 AM

I wouldn't get too concerned about sticking the bow of a jet boat into a wave. Stay attentive to what you are doing and don't try to power though a wave. Judicious use of the throttle comes into play in rough seas. I get the heck off when it starts to get rough not after it gets rough. I fished Cook Inlet for 6 years in some pretty godawful stuff and never stuck the bow. I have owned a number of glass boats and found most would plow through a big wave while the jetboats by design are built to recover quickly and get up on top of it. This makes for a rough ride though so be prepared to take a pounding. I also have three inch scuppers on each side but have never had the bow full of water.
There is no argument that glass boats ride better than aluminum. the design is completely different. They each have their advantages. Just know the boat's and your limitations.
An old Coast Guard Chief at Newport told us once at a safety school. " No one person or boat can conquer the ocean. The ocean decides if you live. If the ocean wants to kill you it will. "
I don't know about you but it kind of made an impression on me.
There is no greater feeling than crossing the bar coming home from a successful, safe day on the ocean.

Fish Hunter · 04-23-2002, 10:22 AM

Also remember some open bow boats are built with a little compartment in the front bow that won't drain to the outside of the craft. During a test drive I took a Jetcraft salesman stuck a standing wave in the Clackamas that filled the front compartment. The small holes drained the bow slowly, the front compartment drained most of the water into the bilge. We sat on the bank pumping the bilge for 15 mins before we continued! Was pretty amusing!

[ 04-23-2002, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]

Troller · 04-24-2002, 04:56 AM

My boat has that lower box but it has drains also. It is also prop powered. Pilar I know you have posted the wave information before but where do you find that info at.

Beer Waggin · 04-24-2002, 05:56 AM

My sled had an open bow as well, and although I have put some water in it, most of it has been intentional. Can you say brakes?
Troller,
19 footer with a prop would do fine on an ocean with good conditions and some experience behind the wheel. Prop's are much better than pumps, mostly because of the fuel economy. I would burn 60 gallons of gas running out to the ranch and back (32 miles one way). I'm not up on my hull lingo, so 19 degrees to me, only means you are better off than I was with a 12 degree hull. Best thing to do would be to check the conditions, take a short trip out with no intentions and see how your boat handles in the rough water. Start with calm water days, say no more than 4 foot swells and find out what your boat can handle, and more importantly, what you can handle as boat owner, operator, and liable individual.

One place to view the wave conditions are the buoy reports. http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Northwest.shtml 46050 is out of Newport in about 390 feet of water. I'm not sure how fare out it is from the bar, but it does have a long/lat location.
This is supposed to be real time data.
You can see the forecast here http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtb.../pz/pzz275.txt
This will give you an outlook, but weather does change and it's a rare occasion that the weather man is correct.

Pilar · 04-24-2002, 05:57 AM

http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtb...ape+Shoalwater

Phil Layer · 04-24-2002, 08:26 AM

NorRiverDave's advise is sound. Take it out into the ocean and determine for yourself how it is going to handle.

I have a bud with a 12 degree hull and air ride seats on a 20 foot JetCraft and you could not pay me enough to go on a long ocean ride in that sled. Another friend has a 20 foot Alumaweld with 18 degree hull and that boat is a pleasure to ride in the ocean. It handles the chop extremely well.

12 degree vs. 18 degree is like night and day.

bassin · 04-27-2002, 06:34 AM

I want to thank you all that replied to my Post. I have ordered my Ifish decals and will be watching the board for a group or party going out. Maybe I could shadow a few of you for a trip or two. Most of my fishing buds are not to sure they want any part of the pacific. I guess I spent to much time out there.Charter bait boy, Navy and my own boat a in the early 90's. I even spent time on a friends boat who worked for tiki(sp) Charters out of Warrington. Care care and thanks again.
Watch for the white Duckworth with Ifish decals.And say Hi.