Ocean worthy boats

[Sakana]

Can anyone who is experienced with fishing the big blue tell me what the minimum boat that I would need to chase tuna? Can you give me boat length, engine(s) size (outboard), fuel capacity, and electronics? Thanks, Wayne

[Miss B Haven]

34 Tolly Sport Sedan, twin Cat 3116's, 300 gal fuel, GPS, Radar, Chart Plotter, 1000 watt DS, Dual radio's, Carrying cap for a tote of ice and 40 fish. :shocked:

Anything less is NOT a Tuna boat, just an imitation. :grin:


OK- so maybe a little smaller. No short answer even though the question is short. Get the biggest boat and all the gear you can afford.

Size depends on sea conditions and how many people/tuna you want and how much brass you got. Lots of 20 footers out there on the right days. They turn back when I'm still going out though. Fuel- depends on how far the tuners are offshore and how big/fast that engine is. You want at least 100 mile range and add 50 miles for the safety factor. Electonics, see above. Lots of folks without radar out there but no other piece of equipment will find those ships bearing down in the fog or ensure you are really between the jetties, or back up the bouys on the gps. I won't leave home without it.

[ 09-30-2003, 08:49 AM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

[fish assassin]

30' Maxweld Maxcat catamaran style pilot house with twin Mercruiser diesels
and Bravo III outdrives. Fish holds will carry approximatley 56-20 lb. Tuna
... or about 1100 lbs. More stable than Mels' Tolly. Will turn approx. 25
knots at cruise and 35+ knots if you're in a hurry. 280 gallon fuel tanks
will keep you fishing for 2 or 3 12-14 hr. days with runs out to 50+ miles.

Not to disagree with Mel, but HIS boat is just a wanna-be!

Hey Mel ... Not fair!! You edited your post after *I* posted!

My old boat was a 22' Dory with a 90hp Johnson out board. I carried approxiamtely
70 gallons of fuel when I ran out for TUNA!, but cut it short (*real* short) a
couple of times on the run back in from 50+ miles out. Once I even ran out of
fuel just behind the surf line at Pacific City. You really don't need as much
boat as Mel and I have ... just pick your days carefully! (IMHO)


-assAssin-

[ 09-30-2003, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: fish assassin ]

[Gus Orviston]

boat envy :depressed:

[Miss B Haven]

MARK! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Hi Bud (I figured "Bud" is appropriate for a beer can boat owner)! :grin:

[fish assassin]

Hi Mel!!

How's the Tupper-Ware holding out? :grin: :grin: :grin:

-assAssin-

[Mello-Yello]

I have a 20' Wooldridge w/offshore bracket. 115 Honda w/38 gal. fuel capacity. GPS, VHF and fishfinder. 8 hp Honda kicker, dual bilge pumps (500 gph and 1,000gph), dual batteries. I installed trim tabs, which allow me to plane out at low speeds should the seas chop up. This keeps the bow down improving the ride, and significantly improves fuel economy.

I've run 38+ miles out, including lots of trolling time. Have never had to use the extra gas I was carrying, but would feel safe going much further out in the right conditions.

The few times I made it out this year, I was certainly the smallest boat out there. At no time did I ever feel the boat was too small, but then again, I always picked my days to go out. Good forecast, with a stable or improving trend.

The bigger the boat the better the ride and the more room, and, the more fuel you're going to burn, hence, more fuel capacity is needed. Make sure you have a closed bow, and if you have any open bow at all, big scuppers are good.

Additional handheld GPS and VHF is a good thing.

What sold me with the Wooldridge was the way they place the seats to the front of the boat, creating an incredible amount of fishing room in the back.

When I was looking for a boat, I wanted the minimum needed to target tuna, yet still be able to run the smaller rivers along the coast for shad, salmon, etc. and something that's easily trailerable.

IMHO, I have just that very boat. :grin:



[ 09-30-2003, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: Mello-Yello ]

[edsr]

Sakana - What everybody said is right. Here's the thing. What are you comfortable with?

Book a charter trip on a good sized boat with a good skipper, (check the charters that sponsor this site). Then try for an open seat as they are posted. Fish with different people on different boats and form your own opinion of what is enough boat for you.

I saw a recent news item where some nutball is going to sea, again, in a craft which is under FIVE FEET LONG and he crosses vast streches of ocean. Darwin award nominee, no, I take that back that guy is a shoo-in to win.

edsr

[CATCH AND EAT]

We've seen sleds out there a time or two. Dont think I'd go unless it is the best of days though. My trophy will go on the good days. On the bad she will be salmon fishing or in port. Mine is a 23' trophy and a very solid ocean boat. Think tupper-ware. :grin:

[Fishplay]

The key issue with TUNA is storage and deck space. IMHO anything under 22 feet is going to be a challege finding room for ICE and TUNA let alone have room for a chill tank and still be able to move around on board.

If I could buy a new boat tomorrow it would be 22-24 feet with 4 stroke outboard. No stinking space waisting cuddys either.

[Hogback]

I have a question about boats. Uglygreen runs an open boat and is and experienced tuna fisherman I also have an open boat and when I mentioned going out after tuna on a good day people said I was an accident waiting to happen. The opinion of experienced tuna fishers would be appreciated.
Randy

[Pilar]

Cool boat Mello Yello.

Hogback, I thought Brad was nuts when I first saw the 'Ugly Green'. It is an Almar Sounder and pretty bullet proof. The key is the flotation built in and the solid construction.

Don't confuse the Almar with a typical open sled. Not the same thing by a damn sight.

[Beer Waggin]

I tell ya, I've given this same thought a whole summer to sink in. After fishing on and looking at many boats that were chasing Tuna! I've come to my conclusion. My next boat will be 23' long, built out of aluminum and more than likely have dual 4-stroke outboards hanging off the back. I'm not sure you can beat a four stroke on mileage. It will also have a gps equiped with bottom mapping and a color screen (only because they're cool), radar will be added along with the other essential electronics. It will be broken in this winter on the CR so that come the first Halibut rodeo no questions will remain.
Now all I have to decide is who is going to build it for me! [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

[Lepper]

I have a 19ft alumaweld been there and done that in it... Just have to pick your days..

Was out salmon fishing on monday, we were out there 5 miles and here comes a guy in a 12ft'r with an 8 hp motor on it..

I wouldn't recommend that for the ocean.. a bit bigger would be better..
d

[gimmeumpqua]

HEY MELLO.....

youre at my crabbin beach!

My boat is very similar to Mello's Wooldridge....its even Yellow!

22ft NR seahawk...80 gals of gas...I have been out 30 miles and back in fairly rough water...used less than 1/4 tank fuel..

excellent seaworthiness!


Kurt

[Hogback]

Lepper
I was with my buddy in his duckworth at the CR can when a guy and his wife in a 15-16ft swampercraft with a 25hp Merc with 4in of freeboard sailed by. I have a 24ft. NR Scout with a 225 Yamaha 4 stroke. I have fished the pond quite a bit off the Columbia in my buddies DW and feel on a good day tuna is do able in mine. However I am not foolish and appreciate all input I have not made up my mind yet and probably will not until I have gone tuna fishing in the DW. So chime in guys I'm not defensive and I'm not one of those who does not want to be confused with the facts because my mind is made up.
Thanks Randy

[Hogback]

Pilar
I have seen Uglygreen and it is a very good boat 22deg. and setup very well. I realize my boat is only 12deg and has its limitations that is why I posted. I want any and all input I am not thin skinned or stupid so tell me what you really think.
Thanks Randy

[Pilar]

Hogback, Ed Wing, that is what I am thinking. I really like the last stretch 'Ocean' boats he built for Crabbait and Skein at 24 feet with an offshore bracket and hardtop with an Alaskan bulkhead. The only thing I would do different is to buy a glider and finish it myself.

Just the hull on a trailer. Windshield, hardtop and bottom paint. After following the 'Weld, Ed. Weld' saga and listening to 'Puffin' compare Ed's workers to the flying monkees on Wizard of Oz, he calls them flying weld monkees, I would conclude that ... Ed builds a fine boat but the finish and outfitting is not as good as the basic boat is. They are welders and metal workers, not electricians or upholsterers.

A 4 stroke is a must and I may have to reconsider my outboard allergy. 'Puffin's Honda 130 has been bulletproof for going on 5 years now and gets killer mileage. If I could just get the rocket surgery degree so I could fix the thing when it breaks ...

Of all of the boats out there most of the salty ones are FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic). The big boats are nice but limit you because you can't just haul it out and run down the road to the good fishing. You tend to pick a moorage and work from there, good, bad or indifferent.

Ed builds a fine boat and alas it is aluminum but of very strong construction and smart design. It is probably the only new boat that most can afford and that will last and perform. Park an aluminum production boat and an Ed Wing side by side and compare. It isn't even close. Beercan vs. battleship. River sled vs Ocean going fish killing machine.

[Gregotis98]

I have a 22ft Reinell walkaround with a 302 and 65 gal tank, but just added another 25 gal. I love this boat and have never used it in fresh water for the year and a half I've owned it. Be sure to get something without carpet!

[Aqua-Holic]

[WP]

I run one of the smaller rigs that fishes tuna regularly. Been called crazy and told that the boat is too small. I politely disagree. I made ten trips out to the tuna grounds this year...to as far as 48 miles out. I turned around twice and never left port on several occassions. I have 60 gallons of fuel capacity and never come close to tapping it out. I run a Honda 130 on a 20' Hewescraft Searunner (V bottom aluminum boat). My capacity is around 25-28 of this years fish. I strive to improve the boat at every opportunity and make it safer and safer. I am not going to be intimidated by others opinions but I certainly listen to them as I prefer to learn without the price of experience, in many things. I have spent 30 years fishing the ocean, off the Pacific NW coast. I find that fishing in less than you have confidence in is hazzardous and being over confident is dangerous. Experience, caution, judgement, and proper preparation are the keys. Boat size and design have a bigger impact on comfort than safety, in the same ranges. A 22' heavy V boat is more comfortable, in general. Get the best boat you can and then take care of it and continuously upgrade it. Have fun and enjoy! BE SAFE!!!
Dave

[Deepslayer]

Listen to WP! He is definitely old enough to know what he is talking about!! :grin:
,Ed

[CAPT KUJO]

If you're serious then come drive a ROCKET. Fastest, longest range, safest, most expensive, best warranty, built in Oregon. The extreme fishing machine! 200 gal fuel capacity, 50 mph, at 35 mph ocean cruise 16 gal an hour, you do the math. Anything else is an imitation!The Black Rocket

[Miss B Haven]

Kujo- you're link requires some sort of authorization (which I at least don't have).

Never mind- now it works. [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

[ 10-01-2003, 08:01 AM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

[CATCH AND EAT]

If ya wanna get wet you buy a black rocket for what.....$110k?

Pilar has a point. If you buy to big then it is a pain to trailer. At 23ft you are just about the perfect size. For a trailerable rig I would say 25ft max just for the ease of it. With most tupper-ware boats fish storage is or can be a problem. The suggestion of an outboard is a good one. More deck space and room for a tote if needed.

If I had to do it over again I would go 25ft with 8.5 to 9ft beam

[CAPT KUJO]

Originally posted by CATCH AND EAT:
If ya wanna get wet you buy a black rocket for what.....$110k? Pretty darn close :shocked:

Pilar has a point. If you buy to big then it is a pain to trailer. At 23ft you are just about the perfect size. For a trailerable rig I would say 25ft max just for the ease of it. With most tupper-ware boats fish storage is or can be a problem. The suggestion of an outboard is a good one. More deck space and room for a tote if needed.

If I had to do it over again I would go 25ft with 8.5 to 9ft beam

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">GET WET? The Rocket comes with 4 sets of ROCKITWEAR for the Captain and Crew. Dry and warm is good. But your correct Thr Rocket is not for just anyone!

KUJO

[CATCH AND EAT]

But it is fast and fun for those that seek thrills.

[Sakana]

Thanks to everyone for all the information. I'm going to look for something in the 22' to 25' range, but not sure if I'm going glass or aluminum. One thing for sure is a 4 stroke outboard(s) , and gps/radar. I'll look closely at all the makes at the boat show, once I decide I'll first look for a used boat . I'm not in big a hurry, just want to make the right decision.
Wayne

[marv]

If you want a real ocean worthy boat buy and H&F custom boat from Bandon Oregon. Commercial grade fiberglass boat built for full for ocean service. Have any questions talk to Eddie Dunn in Garibaldi who owns the 27' foot model called the Aftershock. He Crabs all winter packs around 35 five pots 400 gallons of fuel and can go about 62mph unloaded. Don't believe me check the november 1997 issue of "National Fisherman." (http"//hf-boats.com)