Tell me your boat range

Bait O' Eggs · 07-12-2002, 10:00 PM

I am really getting a hankering to get either a 2nd boat, or sell my boat and get another one. Listening to these tuna chasing tales has me wanting a new set up.

Just what kind of boat and motor combination does it take to go 50 miles each way and not run out of fuel??? If you could, would you long range runners tell me your boat size, motor set up and how big of fuel tank you have and how far you can run. I assume people like Pilar, Puffin, threemuch and others are not burning 150 gallons of fuel to get a load of tuna :whazzup: :whazzup:

Knowing nothing about this I would tend to think a 4 cylinder with an inboard outboard in a glass boat would be the ticket for a 20 to 23 foot boat with a big tank. Having a ton of HP would just make the boat go fast and burn a lot of fuel would be my guess, as long as it planes easily and does at least 30 miles per hour I would guess the right boat could do a tuna trip on less than 50 gallons of fuel.

Help me get a handle on what boat it takes to get there and back without calling for a fuel drop. My duckworth with a 40 gallon tank and pump would be lucky to see tuna before it ran out of fuel.

Salmonator · 07-13-2002, 04:51 AM

Seems to me a 20' or bigger boat with a 4 cylinder would be a bad thing. Power isn't only for top speed.

My trophy has an 83 gallon tank, 150 merc prop. For the halibut opener we went 34 miles out in rough seas and burned just over a third of a tank round trip.

Marty · 07-13-2002, 07:14 AM

I have a 24' Seasport with a 350 (260 hp) and a duo-prop that has a 120 gal. gas tank. I get about 2 1/2 miles per gallon with the Electronic Fuel Injection. So 40 miles out and 20 miles trolling and 40 miles back should burn about 40 gallons on a nice day with plenty of reserve for any unknowns. My last boat, a 24 trophy with a 350 (no duo-prop or EFI) got 1.25 to 2 miles per gallon.

Hope this helps.

I have heard of guys in Southern Calif. run with their main engines and then shut them off and troll with a kicker to conserve fuel. I would guess you would need a 20 or 25 hp. kicker.

Good luck and I hope you make it outside, as the view is definetly worth it.

Oh, at the fish cleaning station in Newport Thursday two guys were cleaning a huge pile of tuna and they said they were north and 17 miles off the beach for their 42 fish. That would put them a little south and west of Depoe.

Marty

Pilar · 07-13-2002, 09:35 AM

Hello old friend Bait. I can see it now, Team cracker goes Tuna fishing.

Seriously now the rig to have is probably a glass boat with a windshield. My sturdy little craft is 19' with a wide beam and a huge space under the bow for storage. The fuel cell is only 42 gallons but I can strap on a 19 gallon cell for the long haul. I would consider my boat to be too small for a tuna run on any but the flattest days.

The range is about 150 since I get between 3 and 4 mpg out of the little 181 cu in Mercruiser. Our most recent jaunt burned 33 gallons and we went 120 miles. For 30 miles or more of that trip we were overloaded. The boat will cruise at 30 wide open fully loaded. I often wish for more power except when it comes time to fill it up after a trip.

The 4.3L V6 Mercruiser is a good motor and gets pretty good mileage. The inline 181 or 3L is a 140 hp. I think the 4.3L is about 200 Hp. Once you get past about 3000 lbs of boat you'll need more than a 4 banger to push it.

'Puffin' has a very interesting boat. Ed Wing 21' aluminum. The motor is a Honda 130. He ran with me on the last Tuna day and burned 42 gallons. His fuel cell is a 60 gallon and he carries an aux 20 gallon cell. This boat was cheap new. About 10K and add for a motor. So for $20k you could have a bulletproof ocean boat. Big Jon fished all of the Halibut days, even the ugly ones.

Once you get much over that 21 ft you get into big 2 stroke outboards and V-8s. Fuel cells get to 100 gallons or better and the gas station ... ouch.

See you this afternoon. :grin:

avid · 07-13-2002, 10:13 AM

Tell me more about 'Puffin's' boat it sounds very interesting. I can't find any website for Ed Wing boats. TIA

avid

Fishplay · 07-13-2002, 08:09 PM

EDWing is built in Chinook Wa. They used to advertise in the Hunting &Fishing News. Thats all I know. Try a search of one of the online phone directories.

blast and cast · 07-13-2002, 09:49 PM

I am in the first phase of building my last boat. you can view Edwing boats at www.edwing.com. The number is 360.777.8771. I have been looking at the 21RB or the 21 VEC. Both run a seabracket syle motor. I am looking at powering it with the new 140 suzuki 4-stroke or I may pony up for the 200/225 Yamaha.

Phil Layer · 07-14-2002, 05:45 AM

I love everything about my boat except it's range. I'm interested in "strapping on another fuel cell" but have nightmares whenever I think about it.

Where do you locate this strap on fuel cell? What should be avoided so the vessel doesn't get kattywampus and go down? Do you plumb it into your fuel line on your inboard?

Tuna. I wish I never heard of em. I was much happier when I thought they only came in a can.

Pilar · 07-15-2002, 07:41 AM

Moby, you can add fuel several ways. Most people try the gas can thing at least once. It is pretty hard to add fuel in a rocking boat. Let alone do it without spilling a bunch of it.

So you can buy Aluminum (best) or plastic tanks of different sizes. The Aluminum tanks are pretty much for permanent under deck mounting and must be adapted if used above deck. The vent line should be run to a fitting just like the existing permanent tank. The fill fitting can be done with a short length of hose and a fuel fitting. Use the one that is made to bolt through the gunnel.

Either tank should be tied to the mounting location. I used some aircraft cargo tie downs. You can find them in the GI surplus stores and sometimes at Andy and Bax. This is a disc that you secure to the deck and a clip that can be removed that has a ring on it. I used 2 of them in front of the engine box and set my plastic 19 gallon there. Then just bungee across the tank from the cargo clips to the engine box hinges.

For the connection to the fuel system you have options as well. You can plumb everything together to a 3 way valve. Or you can use outboard motor hoses with the squeeze bulb and put the receiving fitting on the fuel separator or wherever you tap in. Then use the aux tank on the way to the fishing grounds by snapping the fittings together and shutting off the main tank. Any connection should have a valve to isolate it in case a hose gets holed or leaks. When the aux is dry, pop off the bungee cords and stow the empty tank wherever convenient. Then you switch over to the main and continue the hunt.

Whatever you do, try to keep the added weight on the center of gravity of the boat. Absolutely, never put a tank forward of the center of roll. If you do, the trim of the boat will change as you burn it and the boat will tend to hop when the tank is full. Also the force of bouncing fuel will test the integrity of the tank.

The plastic box tanks are at West, Fishermans and Boaters world. There is a 27 gallon but I thought it was too big for my boat. It would take the place of one fisher.

will_e_fish · 07-15-2002, 10:18 AM

BOE- are you going to strap on more fuel or get a different boat? Just curious what you are getting for fuel milage?

I wanted to know that as well. What does it take to get out there to the tuna? After talking tuna trips over with family and we are looking at what different boats will do.
So good to read about fuel economy vs. power for boat size and weight. Keep the information comming! Thanks again Salty Dogs.

Denali · 07-15-2002, 12:42 PM

Bait,

I run a 21 ft Duckworth Pacific Silverwing. Has the bracket off the back for the outboard. Fuel tank is 54 gallons and get between 3.5 - 3.8 miles per gallon depending on conditions and speed. Boat is powered by Yam 200 HPDI. Top end speed is about 52 @ 5600 which you need not worry about in the ocean. Cruises nicely @3300. I would guess this set up would get you to Tuna town and with a spare tank have more then enought to feel pretty good. The most I've run in one day was 87 miles but this was on an inland resevoir (Lake Roosevelt) and still had over 1/2 a tank. Wish I lived on your side (this time of year) so I could join you on the salt.

Threemuch · 07-15-2002, 12:50 PM

I hold 125 gallons, and get about 1-1.5 mpg at best. Thirsty boat. Add oil and a day of tuna fishing will run 200 clams. Will that stop me? No fargin way. Split three ways, it's still a reasonable cost.

KB

whaler21 · 07-15-2002, 02:17 PM

I have a 21' -1996 Boston Whaler Outrage. She has a Johnson 225 Ocean Runner for the main, and a 25 hp Honda Kicker. She holds 119 gallons of gas. I usually put $100.00 in gas each time I go offshore more than 30 miles. I probably burn about 40 gallons on a 100 mile trip. When I go out for tuna, I put the kicker in the water and can troll all day without burning any real amount of fuel. I usually come back with over half a tank of fuel to spare. I like having the extra weight of the fuel onboard to make the ride that much smoother.

Pilar · 07-15-2002, 02:22 PM

Boston Whaler makes a nice boat in the Outrage. You lucky devil.

avid · 07-15-2002, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ganzerman:
I have a 21' -1996 Boston Whaler Outrage.

What is the tow weight on your boat minus the fuel? TIA

Threemuch · 07-15-2002, 02:52 PM

They call it an outrage because that's what happens when you see the price tag.

Many of my buddies in CA run BWs. They jokingly refer to themselves as "the dark side".

One of the flagships of the fleet is a '72 Outrage called the Angela C. I have been out on this boat at 40 miles in 10' seas in 25 knt wind. Not something I want to repeat, but the integrity of the boat was never in question. That boat was filled to the gunnels the whole run for the barn, pump running full blast, green over the bow again and again. We got 15 longins though. Not bad for a 30 year old boat.

KB

seasquid · 07-15-2002, 03:17 PM

Wait a minute -- is that the Outrage that keeps waking me up in the morning at South Beach? if so, now that's an OUTRAGE! Actually thanks for being my alarm clock, some of the time anyway.

I'm really feeling like some tuna need to go in my box Thursday -- looks like that could be the best day of the latter half of the week, according to the latest forecast -- which will of course change 20 times between now and then.

ss

whaler21 · 07-15-2002, 05:25 PM

I believe the tow weight on my '96 Outrage is around 4,500 lbs. (Boat, Motor, and Trailer). This boat is now manufactured under the commercial version of the Boston Whaler named Justice. This boat is very heavy and has an 8'6" beam. This is my dream boat. I'm pretty fortunate to have my dream boat at 29 years of age. I had been looking on boattraderonline for about two months when I came across a gentleman in Ohio who only put it in the water once. It had been stored in a barn and in mint condition. To buy this baby new, you would have to pay $55,000 to $60,000 with the way I have it equipped. I paid $32,000. I had the boat surveyed by a company in Ohio, and the surveyor said it was in mint condition. I drove to Omaha, NE and met him a little over half way across the country to pick it up. The boat was in better condition than I had hoped, and so far hasn't let me down. I am currently towing it with a 1996 Toyota tacoma (4 banger even). I am going to get a bigger tow vehicle in January. I can only get one toy at a time according to my wife. I wouldn't mind taking some of you out for tuna fishing if my boat isn't full. I only ask that you pay part of the gas for the boat. If I have any vacancies, I'll post on here for any takers for tuna trips.

Tim

AngleThis · 07-15-2002, 05:56 PM

My boat is the same as Pilar's,...same drive train, but my boat is slightly smaller, and a V instead of a Tri Hull. In spite of the weight difference, I get slightly better mileage than he does, do to the hull design difference. I probably get more like 150 hp out of my engine due to boring and balancing, and it is barely enough to plane the boat when heavily loaded, since adding so much weight into a hull relay. We both have a 40gal main tank, but he also installed a second tank in his bow. I get 100 miles minimum out of 40 gals of fuel. More like 150 on high plane.

avid · 07-15-2002, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ganzerman:
I wouldn't mind taking some of you out for tuna fishing if my boat isn't full. If I have any vacancies, I'll post on here for any takers for tuna trips.

Tim

This ifisher would be all over that! Even though it would be a serious drive for me, living in the Rogue Valley. A BW Outrage is the boat that I want and have to wait to afford. I am stuck with the one toy a year limit as well. I would be glad to help with gas.

avid

Lepper · 07-16-2002, 05:55 AM

I reallly haven't had my new boat longenohg to figure out the range on it..... You guys figure it just like for a car? mph an dgallons??

If so I will have to figure that..... I do know I can run for around 20 hours on 1 tank...... and it hold 38 gallons Have a 90hp suzuki 4 stroke... I LOVE THAT ENGINE!! it's my kicker (8hp evinrude 2 stroke) that burns my fuel.
dave

BlueWater · 07-16-2002, 10:44 AM

BOE-
I have a 4.3L 175hp mercruser in a 19' bulewater cudy. I have in perfect conditions a 120 mile range if I burn all 35 gal I have in the main tank. My boat is about 3500Lbs.
I still feel kinda small off shore but the 19' is O.K. if you pick your days and IMHO a cudy cabin is a must have for any non-self bailer hull. I have yet to fit for extra fuel tanks but have gotten some ideas of late on have to do it pratically.
The other cool thing about the 4.3L 175hp (at least mine anyway) is it will idle all day at 500 rpm which lets it idle down nice for trolling if you don't want to mess with the kicker for the day.

Hope it helps.

BlueWater. :smile:

Bait O' Eggs · 07-16-2002, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the replies!! :smile:

I think of fuel economy and I think geo metro with a little 4 banger. As long as it does the speed limit I think it works great for a commuter car for somebody just not me. I think of tuna fishing as requiring fuel economy since I dont plan on spending $200 at Texaco everytime I launch the boat. As long as the boat gets up and planes and does 30 mph with a load I think I am going fast enough in the ocean. My current Duckworth only does about 32 mph inoptimal conditions and it is almost fast enough for any condition I get into, I guess I am just not in a big hurry to get there.

I can see where if a boat is too heavy a bigger motor is needed. And a tuna boat also must be big enough to get you there and back without taking on to much water over the side/back etc...... And of course more room for gear and carcasses is important.

I would have never thought Salmonators boat had that kind of range.

Maybe if I bolted on a prop instead of my pump and put on some outriggers for additional floatation, added a second 40 gallon tank, bolted on some plywood sides to get them a little higher I could go after tuna in my current boat.

Lepper · 07-16-2002, 02:27 PM

BWAHAHAH

CATCH AND EAT · 07-16-2002, 11:41 PM

Roy, I'm not sure what my range is for my battleship. I've never had to "fire" on anyone before. :grin: :grin:

170 miles tops on a good flat day. 150 is safe.

Slow Roll · 07-17-2002, 12:06 PM

Scariest part of that last idea BOE is that I wouldn't put that past some people to do that to their rig and think it would work.

I suppose those are the ones that keep the Coast Guard from getting bored.

Paul B.

Salmonator · 07-17-2002, 09:38 PM

Roy, putting a prop on your motor is like adding an overdrive to a car as far as gas mileage is concerned.

I'm not exactly sure how accurate my gas gauge is. I should have topped her off after opening day to see exactly what I burned. Even if I burned half a tank, that gives me an easy 100 mile range on the sloppiest day with plenty to spare. Actually, my engine is rated at 10gph at 30mph. So with 83 gallons I can run over 8 hours at 30mph under good conditions. Thats 240 miles, so 200 should be a safe range. Today was a rare glassy day. Ran from yaquina to 7 miles off the lighthouse wide open there and back. Averaged 35mph and the needle on the gas gauge barely moved.

Phil Layer · 07-18-2002, 05:46 AM

Salmonator,

Were there fish up there off the lighthouse?

Captn · 07-18-2002, 05:46 AM

Thanks to Pilar, we nailed a burn rate for the 24' trophy with a 350 V8. We topped off one morning and took out of chinook landing on the Cloumbia. Went to Bonniville at 2800 RPM, screwed around a bit, and then John and Mike could not resist putting the throttle down. Maxed out at about 4700 or 4800. We were rollin. Cut back to 3000 the rest of the way back. Topped her off when we got back and all we could put in her was 25 gallons. That is 60 miles/25 gallons. So she is a bit better than 2 miles per gallon under very good conditions. 96 gallon tank should put us safely 180 miles. 140 to 150 in poorer conditions. More on when the "double gaynor" is back in the water later. And thanks John for all your help, it has been a tough summer for us.

Salmonator · 07-18-2002, 08:22 AM

Yes, we hit them 5 miles straight out and then hit them on and off as we trolled to 7 miles out. Should have been an easy limit of ho's but we had a couple of tackle failures and the usual 50% lost to barbless hooks. Still brought home 6 nice fish, no natives released. Most hit in the propwash, the rest about 14 pulls. Most on hoochie/dodger, a few on whole herring/dodger.

Phil Layer · 07-18-2002, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the report, Salmonator.

I'll be down there this weekend fishing early both days, weather permitting, of course.

Cohos are legal 7 days a week there, right?

Salmonator · 07-18-2002, 11:45 PM

Don't quote me but yes I believe it is. Watch the weather though, it's supposed to get choppy over the weekend.

sturgn · 07-25-2002, 08:38 AM

I know have a better idea on my boats range, yesterday we went out of depoe bay and ended up 42 miles offshore, I trolled out there for about 2 hours and headed back in, My tanks went fry at 15miles out, I had an extra 15 gallons in cans and that was just enought to get me to the ramp. Total used 85 gallons I figure it was around 100 miles with the trolling.

fish assassin · 07-25-2002, 09:13 AM

I've never figured boat fuel usage on a miles per
gallon basis ... always a gallons per hour (gph)
basis. On my boat, "Pacific Mistress", a 30 foot
by 11.5 foot catamaran with twin 250hp MerCruiser
diesels and Bravo III outdrives we use between
3 1/2 to 6 gallons an hour when fishing for tuna.

The 6 gallon an hour fillup came after 3 days of
fishing albacore 35-45 miles off Depoe Bay last
year. Running that far really sucks the fuel.

The approx. 3 1/2 gallon an hour fillups happened
after succesive days of fishing tuna 20 miles off
shore. Much easier on the pocket book!

Next month I'm planning on taking my first over-
night trips out for tuna. I've always been a day
boat before (until last Aug. I fished a 22ft Dory
with a 90hp Johnson). I should be able to save
a considerable amount on fuel by staying out over
night and not having to run in and out as much.

The plan is to put enough
ice on board to hold the fish (400-450 quarts),
motor out to the fishing grounds in the late A.M.
of the first day and come back in late the next
afternoon. That way I might be able to score on
that all important "evening tuna bite" that I hear
all the commercial guys talking about.

BTW, my little Cat holds 280 gallons of diesel and
has an approximate range of 1100 miles at 25-28
knots (as close as I can figure).

Salmonator · 07-25-2002, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sturgn:
My tanks went fry at 15miles out, I had an extra 15 gallons in cans and that was just enought to get me to the ramp.

:shocked:

Sounds like you got a REAL GOOD idea of your range!

sturgn · 07-25-2002, 09:49 AM

fish assassin;
I love that "Little Cat" Of yours, I want one of those in the worst way, thought I was going to be able to arrange it last year, but that all fell through so till then, I am stuck in the Jetpace, could be worst, but it could be alot better. I would love a ride in that cat someday just so I can see if they are as good on hte ocean as I think they are, if you ever need a crew let me know. By the way did I say that s a hell of a vessel?

Salmonator,
I think I got real lucky!

fish assassin · 07-25-2002, 10:22 AM

What are you doing Friday (tommorrow)?? My deck
hand has backed out on me and it looks like I'll
be single handing the boat if'n the weather doesn't
turn sour. Show up at about 5AM Friday morning
with something good to eat!

You're not the guy Andy Heathershaw brought down
last fall to take a boat ride are you? As I remember,
the guy owned a sled that he had been taking out of
Depoe Bay for quite some time. He and his wife
went for a ride on a day when the fog was setting
in and the wind was blowing hard!! I handed the
controls over to Andy and told him to put her thru
her paces and then I watched as Andy turned white
as a sheet at the controls. He'd never been out
thru the "hole in the wall" before and didn't like
the trip out to the outside bouy. Sorry to say it was
a short trip for the folks ... or for you, whichever
the case.

Quote:

Originally posted by sturgn:
fish assassin;
I love that "Little Cat" Of yours, I want one of those in the worst way, thought I was going to be able to arrange it last year, but that all fell through so till then, I am stuck in the Jetpace, could be worst, but it could be alot better. I would love a ride in that cat someday just so I can see if they are as good on hte ocean as I think they are, if you ever need a crew let me know. By the way did I say that s a hell of a vessel?

Salmonator,
I think I got real lucky!

Deepslayer · 07-25-2002, 10:55 AM

Hey sturgn sounds like you need to take a sick day Friday!

Don't worry I won't tell anybody?

Fish Assasin you should have seen the drool running out of Sturgn's mouth when we passed your boat leaving and returning to the dock. :grin: :grin:

Last year he brought the Maxweld demo video to work and must have watched it all day long.

Those are definitely impressive boats.

,Ed

sturgn · 07-25-2002, 12:11 PM

fish assassin,
Thanks for the offer unfortunately cant do it this weekend, I would love another opportunity and I am real sure I can scare up something tasty for the morning run. I stopped in and talked with them where they make the boats up there in Hebo, and he sent me a video app. an hour long that they had videoed during some sea trials, I have been in love with them every since! Someday I will own one its only a matter of time(and a little cash!).
Hey Ed you think his Rod holders are strong enough to keep the Tuna from eating your halibut Rods?? :tongue: (sorry I had to reference it somehow). I looked at the boat this morning and it looks like someone dumped 40lbs of herring in there and and mushed them into the carpet

its a mess!

[ 07-25-2002, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: sturgn ]

fish assassin · 07-25-2002, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Deepsleeper:

Last year he brought the Maxweld demo video to work and must have watched it all day long.

Those are definitely impressive boats.

,Ed[/QB]

Demo video?? I never knew such a thing existed!!
The way I got hooked on the MaxWeld MaxCats is by
getting to go for a ride in several of them whilst
Andy was running the river tests. I've known Andy
since he was a fresh face out of welding school.
The first dory trailer he ever built was for me.
It was assume!! I've always been impressed with
his quality and attention to detail. If you're
around over the weekend and I'm in port, feel free
to stop by for a chat.

-assAssin-

Deepslayer · 07-25-2002, 11:34 PM

Thanks assasin. To tell the truth yesterday was the first time I have ever been in Depoe bay. Usually fish with Sturgn out of Newport or Warrenton. Nice ramp and bay at Depoe. That channel out is kind of interesting! I also work weekends.
The video is real impressive. Andy has most of his models and sizes on it in some pretty rough water. I definitely think your on the money with the quality. They sure look like they're well put together.
,Ed