How can you tell if you are on the right boat

Pilar · 04-29-2003, 04:12 PM

I started to write this as a joke but several of our new 'Pups' are a bit nervous about their rides on the May Days. I can tell you from personal experience that most of the guys that fished for TUNA! last summer are just about the greatest bunch of fishers and boaters I've ever met. Safety conscious and fish killing machines.

So lets be serious here at first anyway. How can you tell if your captain knows what he is doing?, How do you know if the boat is OK?

In the charter world, the fact that the guy has a license, 6 pack or otherwise, tells you a little of what you want to know. In our world it is a little different.

What stops a guy from buying a boat and declaring himself king of the blue lake? Nothing!!!!!! Is the boat going to make a round trip or become an artificial reef?

I am very picky about what boat I get on. I ride with friends and even a few strangers but not very often. But that is me and I have a choice because I own 'PILAR'. To go a little further, for me there is only one 'right' boat. Mine. I know every nut and bolt, I know the guy who fixes it is very meticulous and thorough about the boat and that gives me confidence.

So I guess my suggestion for those who are experiencing a crisis of confidence is to ask your skipper if you can contact some of his former passengers or regular crew and talk to them. Ask him about the boat, most guys are ready to brag big about thier boat. Ask to go on a check ride and shake the boat down before the big rodeo at the chicken ranch. If there is no problem the guy will probably laugh and say sure here's the number. If there is a problem he may get offended or defensive. Curiousity is a good thing. Don't be shy, sea pups, be curious and learn about your skipper. Put your mind at ease.

Word of mouth, my friends. Talk to others that have been around a while and ask them. You can e-mail me and I can tell you about the guys I know.

And hey, they can tell you about me. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Ask Puffins Crew, Tyt, Puffin, Keta, Southpaw, Jim Moore and many others about me. Offer them a beer and get ready to hear some tall tales.

Some of those stories might even start out with

This ain't no ****!

Lucky Luke · 04-29-2003, 04:43 PM

John, Thanks for the insights. From all of the threads I've followed in the past, the salty dogs group sounds like great bunch of people. Good luck out on the big blue.

OceanBlue · 04-29-2003, 04:47 PM

This ain't no...

The Pilar is one tough little gal. Glamorous she ain't, but I'd be confident in her and her skipper any day of the week. (Uh, John - about that vhf...

) - no worries, she'll be ship shape and ready for smooth sailing come 'but days.

The Puffin is indestructable although the skipper is a little soft (awww... face it... he's a big ol' softie) Only thing I have to say about getting on the Puffin is that Big Jon has a heart of gold but if he has something to say, it'll come straight out. My daughter thinks he's just the greatest fishin' buddy ever!

Popeye - if you ever get a chance to crew for that guy, you're in for a real treat in seamanship. Holy cow, can that guy handle a boat! (Ask him if he can dock it... :grin: )

[ 04-29-2003, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Pilar's Mate ]

Miss B Haven · 04-29-2003, 05:28 PM

Don't ask Keta about me! He thinks I just live on the dock! :depressed:

Bait O' Eggs · 04-30-2003, 06:28 AM

Hey Ray- lets talk about your experience at the wheel before I go out on May 10th.

1. So, how long have you owned the boat

B. Have you ever skippered a Halibut run

3. Have you had any boat mechanical troubles lately?

D. Can you tear down your motor and rebuild it in 12 foot seas?

5. When do we pull out of dock?

I answer these for you since I probably know the answer

1. a few months
B. No
3. Only a few

D. Probably not
5. just before daylight, seas allowing :tongue:

I will be ready to go :tongue:

fish assassin · 04-30-2003, 06:31 AM

Miss B ... is that a "dock condo" you got there??
:grin: :tongue: :grin: :tongue: :grin: :tongue:
I hear you can go Turkey and Elk hunting off'n her deck!!

-assAssin-

[ 04-30-2003, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: fish assassin ]

04-30-2003, 06:32 AM

Miss B,
As long as Tuni lets me drink her "Good Beer" the dock is ok by me :grin: Better that sitting on the farm listening to the sheep and chickens

Well we could always tow Miss B to California

and have more reliable weather. Too bad you don't have a trailer and my brother sold his tractor.

Mr. Fisherman · 04-30-2003, 08:07 AM

Roy, Roy, Roy,

You have it all wrong...

1. So, how long have you owned the boat

I have owned the boat for the five years it took me to find it. I finally picked it up just in time for Christmas last year (about 5 months and 24 hours on the motors ago).

B. Have you ever skippered a Halibut run
Lets see, I've started a run (crossed the bar going out), I've finished a run (crossed the bar coming in) and I've done some in between but no, not a whole hog die hard trip as captain.
I get two days to practice before you come aboard. Are ya feelin' lucky :grin: .

3. Have you had any boat mechanical troubles lately?
No, and I havent had any coolers float off my bow either [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

D. Can you tear down your motor and rebuild it in 12 foot seas?
No, I work on my boat in the driveway but I can fire up the second motor and/or call for help and a tow with one of the two radios I carry and/or fly the signal flag and/or light a smoke locator flare and/or fire a signal flare and/or signal with the signal mirror and/or tie you up in all the extra life jackets, harpoon the shortest guy on board, throw him over and get a tow that way

5. When do we pull out of dock?
I park my boat by the dock, not in it :smile:

WE , hmmm we .... lets see.... Saturday the 10th... That's me and Brian and... I know it was somebody else...

hmmm ...Tell me again about the Tuna stuff you've been loosing sleep over... :grin:

The boat leaves as early as the crew is onboard and ready or 5:30. The longest I'll wait is 20 minutes after sunrise as I'm not a speed demon.
I sure am looking forward to getting out and actually catching something with ya'

I feel like I've cought something already :tongue:

04-30-2003, 08:18 AM

Quote:

harpoon the shortest guy on board, throw him over and get a tow that way

I know who's boat I'm going to stay away from :grin:

Mr. Fisherman · 04-30-2003, 08:29 AM

O.k, o.k, usually that would be me (shortest guy)
I'll probably forget the harpoon anyway

Bait O' Eggs · 04-30-2003, 08:35 AM

Quote:

... harpoon the shortest guy on board, throw him over ...

Easy there, I dont swing from that side of the plate :shocked: :shocked:

Got the rod ready, got the backup reel (Penn 320) loaded with 80lb tuffline, and the 4/0 Senator in the mail last week, got 5 no excuses leaders built, Got plenty of lead.... Now to just find a deal on some 80 lb tuffline for the Senator and I am ready to go

OceanBlue · 04-30-2003, 09:13 AM

Mr. F:

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Miss B Haven · 04-30-2003, 09:25 AM

:grin: This is beginning to look like a Salty Dog Halibut smack talk thread! :grin:

Bait O' Eggs · 04-30-2003, 09:57 AM

my butts gonna be bigger than your butt :shocked: :shocked:

That didnt sound like I meant it

corrirod · 04-30-2003, 10:04 AM

I'm sure the guys who volunteered to ride with me are a little nervous, and I wouldn't blame them a bit! :shocked:

I can say this though, I've been doing ocean trips for about the last 10 years, here, in Mexico, and Canada, and I've never NOT made it back to the dock. (knock on wood quick) Granted I've had my share of "stories" to tell but I think we've all had them.

I do take safety very seriously though, especially for my crew. Thus the reason I've been keeping them updated on my recent outboard performance issues. I don't believe in surpising anyone with "oh, did I forget to tell you the outboard konked out on me the last time I was out, but don't worry...I'm sure it won't happen again." I have made all my crew aware of all the issues I'm having and I have no problem with them finding another ride. Safety first. Depending on how fast they can repair my motor, I may not be able to take it out on a shakedown run before hali season starts so I understand completely if someone doesn't want to ride on an untested boat.

And if anyone wants testimonials, I'm sure I can find SOMEONE to lie for me. :tongue:

:grin:

I really, really, really, really miss my boat and it's only been gone a day! :depressed:

DriftR · 04-30-2003, 10:16 AM

Good questions to ask?

1. How long you been fishing off shore?
2. What's your range offshore?
3. How long you owned the boat?
4. What kind of electronics do you have?
5. Do you file a float plan?
6. Are your charts current?
7. Do we bring our own GUMBI SUIT?
8. What do you/I do in case of emergency?
9. Where are the fire extinguishers/strobe, first aid kit, life jackets, EPIRB, Radio, GPS/Loran, life jackets, flare guns,throw lines and compass?
10. Wheres the switch(s) for the bilge pump(s).
11. What are my responsibilities on board your boat?
These may sound strange to ask but safety is always an issue. There are more questions but these are the ones that came to mind.

04-30-2003, 10:49 AM

I trust Rod :grin: but then I also went out into the Gulf of Alaska in a 18' Glassply

Rod can run his boat and knows what it can and can't do.

04-30-2003, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Are ya gonna mount it or eat it

That's two :shocked:

Mr. Fisherman · 04-30-2003, 12:17 PM

I think I need some sleep....

Mr. Fisherman · 04-30-2003, 12:21 PM

Quote:

I know who's boat I'm going to stay away from

Aw, yer just jelous of my see der plugs :grin:

04-30-2003, 12:23 PM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

I use bedar plugs

Mr. Fisherman · 04-30-2003, 12:26 PM

And I almost forgot...

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
When are we going fishing?

04-30-2003, 12:29 PM

Mr F,
Check your Email :shocked:

Pilar · 04-30-2003, 01:46 PM

Man, I can't leave you guys unsupervised for more than a minute. [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

While I was on the epic quest for radio, changing the blown fanbelt on the shoulder of I-5 near downtown PDX with a leatherman and a blue cloud of cusswords you guys are talking smack. [img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

For anyone on my boat and worried about the rumours of radio problems .. :blush: .. the object formerly known as 'Radio' has found it's resting place in the trashcan.

Long live the new Icom 402s that took it's place. The antenna was tested by Rodgers marine and found to be just yippy skippy. Also Rodgers gave me permission to give their phone number to anyone that is frustrated with the performance of the new radio. (503) 287-1101

Ray, I hope you do not feel picked on .. I was not singling anyone out. Personally I am not worried about Ray or his boat. He totally understands the responsibilities of his new status as the guy driving the boat. He aught to, it's been splained to him many times.

corrirod · 04-30-2003, 01:51 PM

Right on Pilar, glad you got that thing figured out!

OceanBlue · 04-30-2003, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Right on Pilar, glad you got that thing figured out!

Me, Too! I dinna wanna give up me seat on the 17th! (I'll go to the pile with a hand-held, but not the ranch, dude, not the ranch!)

Slow Roll · 04-30-2003, 02:33 PM

As Pilar and some others have stressed it's about how well the captain knows the nuts and bolts of his craft and also about how well you know the nut behind the wheel.
I would trust any of the captains on this board with my life on the big blue....after a good once over of their craft and their history.
Only takes once to realize that not everyone who ventures out on the briney depths actually has a clue what they are doing.

Have a good trip and be safe out there. I will be here waiting for the pictures and stories from successful pillaging raids.

Paul B.

puffins crew · 04-30-2003, 02:40 PM

If you are fortunate enough to get an invite to crew with Pilar, you will experience first hand what it takes to pilot a small boat on the big blue pond. Johnboy has many, many hours of time out on the Ocean, on both coasts.

I trust him, and his boat.

I know that if I do what I am told to, when I am told to, that we will have a great time, and be as comfortable as conditions permit.

Peace, Tom

Mark Mc · 04-30-2003, 04:42 PM

You guys have covered the "right boat" list pretty well! How about the top ten for "how can you tell if you're about to get on the wrong boat?" I'll start:

1. You arrive at the dock and notice a steady stream of water coming out of a bilge pump that is plugged into shore power.

2. The life jackets have been used for seat cushions for so long, you recognize the rear-end imprinted on them.

3. You notice that the skipper buys ether (starting fluid) spray cans by the case.

4. The skipper asks you how long your shoelaces are, just in case he needs them for a kicker pull-start cord.

5. The skipper asks everyone "who has the smallest hands, in case the head plugs up" and then stares at you.

6. ?

7. ?

skein · 04-30-2003, 04:48 PM

The skipper asks if you brought your hand-held VHF.

04-30-2003, 04:49 PM

6. More beer in the boat than bait?

Mello-Yello · 04-30-2003, 06:07 PM

As you approach the boat, you notice the Captain AND First Mate munching on a banana...

Yay me!

Rod Holder · 04-30-2003, 06:24 PM

..and, the first mates name is Gilligian...boat named minnow

Miss B Haven · 04-30-2003, 08:00 PM

Sheesh John- you don't think we have this memorized by now?

"Also Rodgers gave me permission to give their phone number to anyone that is frustrated with the performance of the new radio. (503) 287-1101"

You talk to Marty B and say hi? :smile:

Salmonator · 04-30-2003, 10:01 PM

after the first black cod has been landed the skipper lets out a hoot 'n holler and breaks out a bottle of poncho villa... :shocked:

corrirod · 04-30-2003, 10:16 PM

-- The captain smiles at you with his ONE good tooth while the song "Dueling Banjos" plays in the background.

-- You overhear the skipper whispering to himself as he starts the motor, "Come on baby, no fires this time."

-- When you notice the boat's name is "Duct Tape & Bailing Wire"

-- When you realize that initial smell you thought was gas on the skipper is actually Jack Daniels.

-- When you notice the ship has a newly mounted periscope.

-- When the skipper asks everyone if they know how to swim.

[ 04-30-2003, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

Miss B Haven · 04-30-2003, 11:26 PM

DriftR - Good list! :grin: You did forget one question:
Where's the Bull Nose? :whazzup:

Reminds me that I need to put together an "Orientation Checklist" for crew members. :smile:

Note to Self: :grin:

Mr. Fisherman · 04-30-2003, 11:45 PM

Roy, if that last statement is true..

Quote:

my butts gonna be bigger than your butt

It will truely be a trophy.

Are ya gonna mount it or eat it
[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Fishplay · 04-30-2003, 11:45 PM

You awl is killen me here!

Just in case anyone is wondering. I have 30 years experience in boat opperation. It runs the gammet from pulling water skiers, charter deck hand, charter captain, commercial deckhand, to just private vessal Fishplay.

The engine in my boat now, is there because I put it there. It was in and out three times before I got it right and I know it like the back of my hand. It is a nearly new long block marine engine from GM. It cut it's teeth on halibut runs last year.

'Fishplay' will be equiped with new 9.9 merc kicker, new Ratheon VHF, new Lowrance sounder/plotter combo, handheld GPS as backup, CB, and safety Equipment.

My range is undetermined due to engine break-in and changes being made; such as the edition of trim tabs this year. Keta has built a spare fuel cell for me so we will have a surplus of fuel this year.

Few people from this board have been aboard my boat. Chinook_Hunter, BaitBoy, Threemuch, and Eats. Of those only two have been offshore with me. One of the two(chinnok_hunter)will be on deck next weekend.

One thing I make very clear! Don't expect me to turn around for anything short of death or ocean conditions.

Eats found out I was serious about this last year. If you get sick? You do not want to deckhand for me! It can be a very loooooooooong day.

Questions are welcome and I will be speaking with my crew soon. :smile:

skein · 04-30-2003, 11:52 PM

Quote: Rod can run his boat and knows what it can and can't do.

Anyone who can slog through a dangerous bar, fight confused seas, AND moon the Coastie tower while maintaining his station at the helm certainly gets my vote. Hell, I'd go out with him just to see a performance like that!

Skein

Mr. Fisherman · 05-01-2003, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Ray, I hope you do not feel picked on .. I was not singling anyone out. Personally I am not worried about Ray or his boat. He totally understands the responsibilities of his new status as the guy driving the boat. He aught to, it's been splained to him many times.

No worries Johnboy, I wear my Team Pilar crew shirt with pride.

I think that the day 1 roster on Sea Lion speaks volumes. John and Rick wouldn't sign up if they didn't have faith

I make no bones about being early into the hours but anyone who knows me understands that if anything I error on the safe side.

Mark, About those questions....

I wouldn't want to hear, "Your pretty boyant huh?"
or, "Kin yew swim AND hold a rope"?
or, "Could you just hold this wire on here while I try to start this thing.."
Or, did you feel that? :shocked:

OceanBlue · 05-01-2003, 06:43 AM

Salmonator - correction - you know you're on the wrong boat (and with the wrong skipper) if you find your skipper in posession of Poncho Villa anytime, anywhere.... :tongue: :grin:

CrazyFish · 05-01-2003, 02:30 PM

You know that your on the wrong boat when the skipper says "Don't worry the Coast Gaurd knows me real well, we've been towed in more than we've run in under our own power".

Or when the skipper says "We don't need much gas, the Coast Gaurd will bring us out some more".

Mr. Fisherman · 05-01-2003, 02:47 PM

You know you're on the wrong boat when the skipper asks "The Coast Guard will tow us back if we get into trouble, do you think they would tow us out?"

[ 05-01-2003, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

skein · 05-01-2003, 03:02 PM

And you really know you're on the wrong boat if the Skipper, the First Mate, and the Deckhand all have names that start with "R"! [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Mr. Fisherman · 05-02-2003, 06:53 AM

Rrr Yer driving me nuts.... LOL [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

DriftR · 05-02-2003, 08:53 AM

How about you know your in trouble when:

You get to the boat, see the captain in hipboots, lots of Tillamook 5 gallon icecream buckets floating on the deck and he says, Thanks for coming aboard early mate.
Or, you think that the spools are downrigger cable but when you ask the captain he says, Naw, that's bailing wire from the old farm just in case. Then he hands you a linemans pliers saying, Keep it handy mate.
How about you ask him if he has adequate fuel on board? He looks at you, smiles, goes below decks and returns with a siphon hose. Then he says, I'm glad you reminded me while he hands you the hose.

DriftR · 05-02-2003, 09:09 AM

Just another one came to mind:

You ask the captain if he has a hook removal kit just in case. The captain replys, "Never go to sea without one". He then hands you a rusty fillet knife with a three finger hand.

You ask, Any dinking water on board captain? Captain points to the drinking straw holders located above the Bilge pump, saying, "never can have to much water on board".

You ask, How's the bait situation captain? Captain, looks at you then at your lunch bucket, then back at you and says, "Fine, just fine".

When you get on board the Captain immediately looks through you lures. What's this he say's. Oh, that's my Zuker Broom, What this one he asks, Oh, that one is my Yozuri Plug. Captain then says, Never seen anything like those before. You ask, What do you use, Captain? He opens up his ammo box and shows you a gernade. "Works real good, but we have to be offshore a bit, Coasties are patrolling today."

OceanBlue · 05-02-2003, 09:28 AM

DriftR -

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Yer killin' me! Straws... bilge pump... arrrrgh!

DriftR · 05-02-2003, 10:07 AM

Pilar,
Just another one that came to mind:

For an anniversary present a wife buys her husband a 4 hour day trip offshore fishing. The husband gets the trip and wonders, that's really strange, she hates it when I go fishing and then she buys me just a 4 hr. trip. What the heck, she doesn't know anything anyway. Besides it will be me, the deep blue and the captain.
He arrives at the dock, Captain is waiting. The captain informs the guy that they will be heading out 25 miles offshore to fish a sea mount the captain has located before. There they will anchor over the sea mount and fish away. The guy says to himself, "Man this must be one fast boat for a 4 hr day trip". Arriving at the sea mount the Captain tells the guy he is going below decks to retrieve the anchor. Moments later up from below decks comes the captain. In his hand is a 40 pd. cannon ball, chain and ankle shackle. Captain then says, "Wife paid for one way ticket"

Sensei-san · 05-04-2003, 03:33 PM

6.The captain goes to start the boat and looks for a foot button to engage the starter...

7.The rods are octagonal bamboo, the reels say Ocean City and have line resembling tuffline but way thicker...

8.It takes ten minutes for the electronics to settle because they are vacuum tubes...

CrazyFish · 05-04-2003, 03:50 PM

Quote:

He opens up his ammo box and shows you a gernade. "Works real good, but we have to be offshore a bit, Coasties are patrolling today."

TWB · 05-04-2003, 05:21 PM

This happened to me in Cabo on a Marlin fishing trip....

When we got aboard the boat in the morning I noticed several large containers full of water. At the time I didn't give too much thought to what it was for. As the rest of the fleet took off for the Golden Gate Bank, our captain said "I think we will fish close to port today." After about an hour of fishing the captain shuts the boat down and starts filling the heat exchanger with the water from the Containers. About another hour passes and he fills it again.

So, now we no what the water is for and why he is not going with the rest of the fleet to where the fish are. There is a leak in the system and the boat can't make the trip and the captain no's it.

After fishing all day within a few miles of port, without any fish, we go to the office and ask for some or all of our money back. They say that we got in a days fishing despite sending us out on a boat that was not seaworthy and they can not refund any of our money.

Last time I ever fished with that office!

The name slips me now.....something like Solmar?

I learned something that day.

Jerry

fishboys · 07-09-2008, 12:35 PM

A blast from the past

fyshndad · 07-09-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishboys

A blast from the past

Troy
Thanks for digging that up
It was a good laugh

PC Silver Streak · 07-10-2008, 01:35 PM

When the Captain points East and it's West direction in the fog and you say "maybe you should use your instrumentation".

fisher-price · 07-11-2008, 10:39 PM

You know you are on the wrong boat when you get the dock and the skipper is emptying his stomach over the side.

A few 5 or 6 years ago myself and a couple of friends got a charter out of Newport. There was the skipper and one deck hand and about 10 of us. The skipper never left the wheel house except to go to the rail and puke over the side. He spent the entire trip, bleary eyed, hung over and screaming out the hatch at everyone on board including us. I thought one of the other guys was going to drag him out on the deck and kick his butt. Needles to say there was quite the situation when we got back to the dock. Lots of yelling and hollering, calls to the Coast Guard etc. One of the worst trips I have ever been on, except maybe the trip from Roseburg to LA with Uncle Dave, lol.

f~p

Silver Eagle · 07-12-2008, 06:47 AM

This a true story, went to Maz, my youngest son and me decided to do a Tuna Marline trip, meet a guy on the beach made a great deal (come on quite laughting) got to the boat this is when things started going south, it was an old Lhurs Wood, there was a deck mate nice enought guy and said the captain would be there soon, about 20 miniutes the captain showed up and went in the Cabin and fell asleep on the front bunk. The deck hand ask if I would mind running the controls and ask my son to hand him a screwdriver and he arcked the started and bam were off, we shifted with a cresent wrench in the motor well, anyway I took her out of the harbor and headed out, the deck hand got out some gear and were on our way, I had another NICE boat in front of us a mile or so so I just stayed on his tail we got out about 10 or so miles and they started fishing so we dropped in, we say several Marlin but I was slow getting the bait in from of them, finally got a Sail on, Son got it in and let it go, I saw a huge boil of birds and Tuna, we got into a huge school, got a triple called the deck hand to the bridge and hit the deck we caught 32 Tuna before the deck was such a mess we moved out. We cleaned up the best we could no Ice except what we brought on our beer, so we bleed them and stored them under a burlap bag on the back deck and keep them watered down, we started in and as we hit the Marina the deck hand said we could not go to the dock, why I don't know, there was a small pango going by and I hailed him promised his a Tuna for a trip to shore, we grabbed five tuna and jump on the pango, give him one and one to the Taxi driver, the last time I saw the boat it was just drifting and we got back to our condo with a whole day of memories and four nice tuna which we keep the loins out of two gave two to the cook at our condo and he prepared a heck of a meal for about 12 of us and all was good. How do you know if its the right boat, never till after its over...........................Ray

Fish Mode · 07-12-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

This a true story, went to Maz, my youngest son and me decided to do a Tuna Marline trip, meet a guy on the beach made a great deal (come on quite laughting) got to the boat this is when things started going south, it was an old Lhurs Wood, there was a deck mate nice enought guy and said the captain would be there soon, about 20 miniutes the captain showed up and went in the Cabin and fell asleep on the front bunk. The deck hand ask if I would mind running the controls and ask my son to hand him a screwdriver and he arcked the started and bam were off, we shifted with a cresent wrench in the motor well, anyway I took her out of the harbor and headed out, the deck hand got out some gear and were on our way, I had another NICE boat in front of us a mile or so so I just stayed on his tail we got out about 10 or so miles and they started fishing so we dropped in, we say several Marlin but I was slow getting the bait in from of them, finally got a Sail on, Son got it in and let it go, I saw a huge boil of birds and Tuna, we got into a huge school, got a triple called the deck hand to the bridge and hit the deck we caught 32 Tuna before the deck was such a mess we moved out. We cleaned up the best we could no Ice except what we brought on our beer, so we bleed them and stored them under a burlap bag on the back deck and keep them watered down, we started in and as we hit the Marina the deck hand said we could not go to the dock, why I don't know, there was a small pango going by and I hailed him promised his a Tuna for a trip to shore, we grabbed five tuna and jump on the pango, give him one and one to the Taxi driver, the last time I saw the boat it was just drifting and we got back to our condo with a whole day of memories and four nice tuna which we keep the loins out of two gave two to the cook at our condo and he prepared a heck of a meal for about 12 of us and all was good. How do you know if its the right boat, never till after its over...........................Ray

Oh man! That's an awesome story, def a good campfire story!