Offshore boat advice

wallyw · 09-22-2002, 08:48 PM

I currently have a Seaswirl 1850 Walkaround w/ 115 horse Johnson and 8HP merceruy. Marine Radio, Bottomline DF, and Magellan handheld GPS.

When not fishing Oregon lakes I like to put in at Winchester Bay. On good days I venture over the bar and have been out a couple of miles or so.

This winter I want to replace this boat with one more suitable to going offshore after Salmon and maybe Tuna,

Your advice please. Don't want a boat so big that can't continue to fish lakes.

Wally

Pilar · 09-23-2002, 04:53 AM

Sounds like you need to add to your fleet not just replace the current boat. It is very hard to find a boat that will do it all. The old 19' Bayliner I fish out of is too big for the lakes but that's what our little rowboat does now.

The salmon and nearshore reef fishing is no big deal given proper respect for the ocean and adequate preparation and the basic boat. Tuna is a huge step up in what is required both of the boat driver and of the machine he is piloting. Not to mention the crew and the gear. Tuna fishing demands long drives across open water. Fuel economy, fuel capacity and places to ice and store fish are the keys here at tuna town.

We have discussed at length the different boats used in our bonney exploits on this board. If you have any specific questions any one of the guys here will answer them.

[ 09-23-2002, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

bait boy · 09-23-2002, 06:32 AM

I've been out in an 1850 Just like yours. I would not have a problem going out 50 miles on a good day. It has a windshield and should have a biminitop with wrap around clear plastic and drop curtains.

That boat is fine for the fishing on the days that we go..... you just need to be confident in your boat.

That 2 of everything rule applies.

tailchaser · 09-23-2002, 07:13 AM

If you want a boat to do it all buy a sled. I have a 21' Fish Rite and have done everything from fish little lakes, rivers, to halibut and tuna in the ocean in the same boat. It does everything I need it to do and have been nothing short of exstatic on how it performs while out on the big blue. I don't know if I'll ever have a different boat. (that's what I always say)

The only drawback to aluminum is it's not a very nice ride sometimes. They handle differently from fiberglass on how the bounce in the water and can give you trips to the chiropractor. After learning how to handle it though it's a piece of cake. You can tow an aluminum better also because the weight of the boat is so much less than that of fiberglass, so you can afford to get a bigger one. just my .02

tc

wallyw · 09-23-2002, 07:24 AM

Quote:

The only drawback to aluminum is it's not a very nice ride sometimes. They handle differently from fiberglass on how the bounce in the water and can give you trips to the chiropractor. After learning how to handle it though it's a piece of cake. You can tow an aluminum better also because the weight of the boat is so much less than that of fiberglass, so you can afford to get a bigger one. just my .02

tc[/QB]

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I considered the various "sleds" three years ago when I bought my Seaswirl. A test ride or two convinced me that for the lake and coastal fishing I usually do they would be a liability.

I picked the Seaswirl because of comfort in a chop, the heavy gelcoat, and relative light weight.

Wally

wallyw · 09-23-2002, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bait boy:
I've been out in an 1850 Just like yours. I would not have a problem going out 50 miles on a good day. It has a windshield and should have a biminitop with wrap around clear plastic and drop curtains.

That boat is fine for the fishing on the days that we go..... you just need to be confident in your boat.

That 2 of everything rule applies.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Thanks for your 2 cents Rick. Confidence is probably what I need. The Seawirl performs great in my trips across the Winchester bar. Even last year when I crossed into 6 foot seas the boat was solid though too rough to fish (for me anyway).

My introduction to blue water (aside from Navy ships as a Marine) was as a blowboater in the 60s and 70s. Sailing out of San Diego and Okinawa, my youthful sense of indestructability may have, on occasion, overcome good judgment.

I've gotten older if not wiser. Certainly more cautious. I love the sea and really enjoy any ride short of a SCW. However now I'd feel better with a self-bailing cockpit, diesel power w/ a kicker/auxillary big enough to maintain steering and beat the currents. Also like a little more bottom under me.

My biggest concern is getting home should a fog roll in and going aground. Can any of you guys recommend a good book on GPS? Is there a unit more suitable than my Magellan 315?

Wally

PeterMac · 09-23-2002, 08:15 AM

How about the 24' or 27' Seaswirl? I have pictures of them up on my dream wall at home.

Some day, I keep telling myself.... :grin:

PeterMac

corrirod · 09-23-2002, 09:12 AM

Wally,

In regards to the boat question, good luck. There are a million different manufacturers and a million different fans on this board that will tell you theirs is the best. My only advice, do your own research and test drive them all. I'm with Pilar in the fact that I don't think you can have one boat that does it all, at least not one that does it all GREAT. The best you can do is get one that does some things great and other things good.

In regards to the GPS, they all work about the same whether your using a handheld or basemount GPS. They will all tell you where you are at but the differences are in the extra bells and whistles. For instance, having a built in chartplotter, cold start quickness, number of waypoints/routes you can store,light lists, tide tables, etc.. I upgraded last year from a handheld to an ICOM GPS and the real value for me was the larger screen, and more so the numeric keypad. Having the keypad makes it so much easier to enter waypoints quickly. When someone gives you a waypoint you can just type it in vs. going thru the alphanumeric list on most handhelds. I think they just lowered the price on the ICOM down to $299 and I've been very happy with it. It has all the bells and whistles I listed above.

Again, there is alot of great research on the web for both of these items. Hope that helps.

09-23-2002, 09:23 AM

There are lots of used boats in the mid west and south west that are going for good prices, if you are able to transport them and do some mechanical work. I found one that I am looking at that has never been in saltwater (unfortunately it is not a Shamrock) and is only a 4 hr drive from KF. It's a 27' Tolly for less than $9,000.

Miss B Haven · 09-23-2002, 03:48 PM

Keta - A Tolly? :whazzup:

Now you're talking a real boat! :grin: :grin: :grin:

When do we leave for Baja?

09-23-2002, 05:54 PM

Miss B Haven,
As soon as I get her and do some shakedown runs. :smile:

OceanBlue · 09-24-2002, 07:26 AM

Get on it Keta - you've got all winter to fix 'er up. Just be ready to hit the road to ol' Me-he-co next spring.

Anyone have any opinions on the last week of March in Baja?

wallyw · 09-24-2002, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miss B Haven:
Keta - A Tolly? :whazzup:

Now you're talking a real boat! :grin: :grin: :grin:

When do we leave for Baja?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I've been thinking of a Tolly or Uniflite. Two years ago had a real buy on a 1968 PBR by Uniflite. $4000 delivered. I could have had her repowered and ready to fish

Wally

Miss B Haven · 09-24-2002, 11:02 PM

Last week of March = Yellowfin and the last of the Stripes. :grin: :grin:

Waters cool (for swimming), air temp = Perfect.

\

It is however Spring break time, busy and Parties with wild kids. Most Cabo San Lucas. The San Jose Del Cabo, The Cape, etc on up should be fine.

Oh ya - not sure what that winter north wind that blows down the Mar De Cortez is doing in March. I'm thinking it's settled down but you might want to check.

[ 09-24-2002, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]