tuna boat?

Bill Monroe · 04-29-2003, 03:50 AM

OK, you (other) tunaholics...
I'm going to borrow from myself (401K) and buy into two boats, (1) a river and bay sled and, hopefully, (2) something that will get me out to sea for tuna fishing and everything in between.
Question is, will 15 grand be enough for step 2?
I've looked in boat trader on and off and rarely can dream about the 21-foot Boston Whaler listed with double outboards and a cuddy cabin for about that, being sold by some grandma in Idaho who only used it on weekends at Brownlee. I've also NEVER seen a Grady White like that.
I had a Glasply once and am not a big fan of I/O, but realize they have power and efficiency.
Is two outboards too many? Say, twin 75s or 100s?
Do you guys go out there with one and a kicker?
I'm not going in an open boat. Gotta have a cuddy and I'm not afraid of spending the night, after years before the mast on a destroyer.
Suggestions? Am I dreaming again?
Would I be better off begging for rides?
Thanks

Miss B Haven · 04-29-2003, 06:18 AM

Bill- did you leave a "0" off that number? Going to be real tough to get a cuddy with the size and range and reliability for that. Especially if you want a turn key boat and don't want to spend a year or so rebuilding everything.
I'd guess a used Trophy would be the closest thing with a single outboard. Nuff said.. not my area of expertise.
Good luck

fish assassin · 04-29-2003, 06:22 AM

Bill,

For $15k you should be able to get into *something* (IMHO). I used to chase tuna in
a Dory out of Pacific City and the Boat, Motor and Trailer cost me about $12k *brand
spanking new*. I guess a lot will depend on what your expectations are. You're
welcome to make a tuna trip with me this summer if'n you don't get set up ...

-assAssin-

PS, 30' aluminum power catamaran with twin diesels, if it makes any difference ...
Link below for a few pictures ...

04-29-2003, 06:39 AM

I've seen many in the $8,000-$15,000 range but they are older and need work. Sit on your money and search until you find what you want in your price range. Repair and maintenance is also a big expence.

Pilar · 04-29-2003, 07:29 AM

Hey Bill ... you might get the bottom board off the privy door of a tuna boat for that price. :grin:

You can find older boats to fix up and do it all for about what you have to spend if you do the work yourself. I do not recommend the fixer upper though. Way too much effort required and not for beginners. You have to really really like fixing old things.

Just ask for a ride .. you should have no trouble finding one. If you get the tuna bug then .. well you'll find a way to get a boat.

How did you become tuna curious anyway?

[ 04-29-2003, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

Myles · 04-29-2003, 07:33 AM

If you raise the dollar amount to ~20K and combine a driving vacation to the east coast you could haul back a 22' Grady cuddy. Of coarse I'd like to reserve a seat in advance :grin:

http://www.boattraderonline.com/

myles

Nofish · 04-29-2003, 07:42 AM

Bill,
With interest rates low, a lot of folks have upgraded to bigger, better, faster boats to chase tuna, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area where tuna fishing has gone bonkers. There are a fair number of boats in that general price range that are decent buys. You may want to check a couple of the classifieds on those sites: Coastside Fishing Club: http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com/

Bay Area Tuna Club:
http://www.offshoreanglers.com

Good Luck...Nofish

Beer Waggin · 04-29-2003, 07:49 AM

I agree, I�ve been looking too and although my budget seems to be higher than yours, I still haven�t found anything I liked or trusted, not including the new stuff. I did see a new 2601 SeaSport last night while running with the dog. The twin 225�s on the back looked like they�d do the trick! I didn�t see a price on it, but I�m guessing it was a bit more than 15k.

Check out www.iboats.com for another classified section.

You could always trade your typewriter in on a new set of tools� [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

Miss B Haven · 04-29-2003, 09:42 AM

Bil- for 15K I'll take you on a combo Tuna run, Turkey shoot and Elk hunt. I'll even let you spend the night out! :shocked: :grin:

id. painter · 04-29-2003, 09:52 AM

Bill, you sound like a very sick little puppy. I am also sick. Hi ho.
In my mind, you would be better off, if you spent the combined cash (for two boats) on one that will do (Grady White)for both, river and tuna.
At one point i owned three boats ,,, i now have one nice one and dont regret it. id. p.

fish assassin · 04-29-2003, 10:06 AM

Hey Mel,

I understand the references to TUNA and elk, but turkey shoot??? Have you taken
to carrying turkeys on board or are you calling Tuni a turkey?

Quote:

Originally posted by Miss B Haven:
Bil- for 15K I'll take you on a combo Tuna run, Turkey shoot and Elk hunt. I'll even let you spend the night out! :shocked: :grin:

Miss B Haven · 04-29-2003, 10:19 AM

FA- http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb....=001378#000000

:grin:

I would NEVER call Tuni a Turkey (not more than once anyway!) :grin:

fish assassin · 04-29-2003, 10:23 AM

Mel,

I didn't *think* you were stupid enough to call Tuni a turkey! One chance would
have probably been all you'd have gotten before she beat you senseless! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Gotta go, truck needs it's 7500 mile checkup and today's the day!!

-assAssin-

Bill Monroe · 04-29-2003, 01:14 PM

Well, I can certainly see how well focused others of my affliction become...
Thanks for the info, though...I really want a sled for rivers and can't get a glass boat up the clackamas or justify a large boat in the Willamette fleet. May have to tone my ambitions and take Mel up on his offer...bumming rides aint all that bad, I guess...I can make do with a slightly smaller saltwater boat, but do want something I can launch and sleep on.

I've loved the sea all my life, even before the destroyer years, and tuna fishing since my first two-nighter out of San Diego, then some stories out of Ilwaco with live bait and out of Newport...it's a real magnet and the fish are extraordinary, both taste and fight. I made the mistake once of taking my Canadian knucklebuster, thinking it would be like flyfishing and a lot of fun...yes, scraped some knuckles and took as long to land one as the others did to land three or four in the same school.

I spose it is quite an investment for so short a season.

I'll keep looking at those sites, though. Thanks all.
(I've got the list of trip offers, which may have been the best reason for posting after all!)

id. painter · 04-29-2003, 01:30 PM

you sound a little discouraged, Bill. A friend of mine got a 21ft Marlin for 10K.
The boat is sea worthy and he loves it. The boat was a 1988 mdl. and in great shape.
No cuddy, but you have an extra 5 k to play with.... keep looking , ill bet you find the one . id. p.

Gregotis98 · 04-29-2003, 01:41 PM

I don't see it as being a problem. I bought a Reinell 22' walkarourd cutty for $13,000 and have had it tuna fishing about 10 times. I sleep in it at the dock, but plan on doing an overnighter this year. If this is the type of thing you're looking for there are plenty around in that price range.

Nofish · 04-29-2003, 05:54 PM

Bill,
I agree with the above posts, take your time and shop carefully...you should be able to find something. The market seems full of decent boats in that price range right now, especially if you look in the right areas. Don't give up and good luck. Nofish

CAPT KUJO · 04-30-2003, 06:36 AM

Bill,
They're all right and I agree it's a buyers market. I promise you for 15K there's a sweet deal out there for you!

Orca · 05-01-2003, 12:47 PM

Last I looked, there were some good deals in CA. due to to the toils sportsfishermen were going through there.

3 years ago, I got my '87 2159 Trophy for $8K up in Everett WA. I thought I had a great deal until the outdrive froze up. This set me back another $3K, and I have since added a $2K 4-stroke kicker, new radio, new antennas, new FF, new starter, and new distributor. I now have about $14K in the whole setup and it works great.

Get a marine survey, and add a kicker to This Tuna Killer and you are set to go for under 15K

[ 05-01-2003, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: Orca ]

corrirod · 05-01-2003, 12:47 PM

I'd sell you mine for $16K. It's the boat on my avatar.

edsr · 05-01-2003, 02:14 PM

Capt.K is right Bill, it is a buyers market. You will be able to save money if you can do the leg work of finding the deal. Buying through a broker or new will be higher that your budget. What you need is a "Shoping Maven" to help.

edsr

BUGLEMAN · 05-01-2003, 11:58 PM

I agree Bill kick around you can find a very sea worthy boat with 15k. The best deals are engine and outdrive insurance replacements. A new engine in an older boat doesn't make it worth much more.

timinthegorge · 05-03-2003, 03:03 PM

Heed all above Bill.... :smile:

But you now have competition... I have a buddy in Yakima who fished with me yesterday. He had an epiphany! Since I have a 19' Alumaweld, nicely equipped, why buy another? Why not buy a cutty 28-34' he can keep moored in Portland, or downriver somewhere. We'd be able to go out on the Blue to be tuna friendly....

I didn't discourage him.....

:grin:

TWB · 05-04-2003, 04:26 PM

Hi Bill,

Sorry for not making this post earlier, I have been on the East Coast for 11 days and am just now getting back to normal and catching up.

You no that you are welcome to go saltwater fishing on my boat this summer. I will contact you later as things get going for some days offshore.

Probably won't be ready for this first round of halibut, but should have the boat ready soon after. Have a gas tank problem to take care of and just have not been able to get to it.

Did just get a new tow vehicle and am still outfitting it with all the goodies.

I would also agree with the other posts, that there are some good boats out there that are in your budget that would do just fine in the salt.

If you want to talk boats call or e-mail me. I have been boat poor since 1970, and have learned a few things about them.

Later,
Jerry

TWB · 05-04-2003, 04:39 PM

Hey Rod,

Do you no what happens when you say things like, "I would sell you my boat?" The next thing you no you are without one and standing on the beach.

It happened with my truck. I decided to put a for sale sign in it just to see what might happen, not expecting anything. Two days later it was sold and I was walking. Had to go and buy a brand new one!

Could there be a new boat in your future?

corrirod · 05-04-2003, 07:34 PM

You've got it figured out Jerry! I'm thinking, and I say that loosely, about getting another boat. With the new family addition and the fact the other addition is growing like a weed, we don't have enough room to do our family cruises. Wife won't even think about letting me hang around Skein or Miss B too long.(a.k.a."The Boat Mongers)

I just got the boat out of the shop on Saturday. Cost me $300 to find and replace a bad wire!

What really makes me mad is I checked for bad wires but this one was tucked up underneath a mounting bracket and I missed it. I am glad that is all it was though. So far I must admit that I have had no "major" problems. That wire has been my most expensive repair so far.(knocking on wood violently..)

So Bill, if you're still out there, I would be somewhat interested in selling the boat, contingent of course that if I don't have a new one by tuna season you have to take me at least once! :grin:

[ 05-04-2003, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

blubeast · 05-05-2003, 06:59 AM

Bill, as has been said by a few of the above posts... take your time and check out used boats. My neighbor tried for a couple of years to sell his boat... I finally woke up and realized it was the configuration I WANTED... (21' 1990 Seaswirl cuddy with hard top... in GREAT shape) Have spent the last year getting it outfitted as I wanted for the salt.. almost done. Expect to chase tuna next summer... need to learn how this summer. So far I'm below your targeted spending level. Yes I've hade some repairs necessary due to age, but still lots less than if I'd tried to buy a new one.

I also agree with you about the second boat for river use.. I have another I use in the fall.. mush easier to tow, launch, and go places my big boat can't.

Bill Monroe · 05-05-2003, 01:58 PM

Thanks everyone, for everything...
Rod, That's a beautiful boat, but I'm going to take my time on a saltwater boat...that, and not bring my wife to tears again about spending a night or two at sea.

Anyway, what I did was far from what I expected. Shot most of the budget on a Willie Predator that isn't perfect for absolutely everything, but is in budget (sorta) and will get me up the Clackamas or over the bar on a nice day.

I'm a couple of years and probably a loan away from waiting for just the right thing and will know it when I see it.

Meanwhile, thanks for all the offers. Several of us are going to become better acquainted.

[ 05-05-2003, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Bill Monroe ]