Tuna question...and my boat

kayakfisher · 11-02-2003, 10:34 AM

Hi,

I am very new to all this...Bought a Wellcraft Sport '89, with a Merc 125. It is estimated that this boat has about 80 gallons of gas when full.

I also have a new marine band radio, two handheld gps units (one for backup...with charts on it). No radar. I do have all the flares, etc...and can tow a 11 foot avon with a 9,.9 merc as a liferaft also.

Is this kind of boat suitable for Tuna, and if so, how far out would most of you be comfortable taking such a boat. It is a great ocean boat, as least six to ten miles out...but I am a fairly careful about not getting myself in a situation from which I cannot extricate myself without assistance.

A little voice tells me that the most reliable system is one with double motors, so if one fails a reasonable sized backup can get you back.

thanks for all opinions and suggestions...

Mike

Nofish · 11-02-2003, 03:43 PM

kayakfisher:
The beam (width) of your Wellcraft is almost as important as the length - should be a minimum of about 8' or so. You may want to install a bracket on your boat for that 9.9 as a kicker. If you pick your days and have a running buddy, you should be just fine. Good Luck, Bob

Check out this link: http://www.offshoreanglers.com/tunaGuide/

Here is the most important part of this writeup:

Now lets talk Safety: 17 points that could save your life.

1 ALWAYS RUN WITH A RUNNING MATE (they can help you if you're in trouble)

2 HAVE A GOOD RADIO (no one can hear you if it's not working well)

3 A CELL PHONE (a good thing to have along for emergencies)

4 ALWAYS LEAVE SOMEONE YOUR TRIP PLAN (we will know where to start looking in case of trouble)

5 PAY ATTENTION TO THE WEATHER (if it even looks like its going to blow don't go)

6 CHECK WAVE SIZE AND FREQUENCY ANYTHING CLOSER THAN TWELVE SEC. COULD BE TROUBLE (most boater accidents are because of weather)

7 YOU SHOULD HAVE A GPS OR LORAN (so you can tell were you are)

8 PROPER FLOATATION GEAR (good sense, and it is the law)

9 TAKE PLENTY OF FUEL (there are no gas stations out there)

10 DRINKING WATER ( no drinking fountains either, you can go without food for a long time but not long without water)

11 CARRY PLENTY OF DISTRESS FLARES (they can be seen from a pretty good distance)

12 A SATELLITE DISTRESS LOCATION TRANSMITTER IS INVALUABLE. (The sea is so big and my boat's so small. It's an awful big ocean to find some one in)

13 A GOOD FIRST AID KIT (can be a life saver)

14 SPARE WARM CLOTHES (in case of a emergency overnight stay)

15 SPARE ENGINE BATTERY (I saw four boats last year have to be towed in due to battery problems)

16 OFF-SHORE CHARTS, COMPASS and PARALLEL RULE (good to have in case GPS fails)

17 ALWAYS CARRY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

18 KNOW YOUR BOATS LIMITS AND DON'T EXCEED THEM

(the trip home is usually rougher than the trip out)

kayakfisher · 11-02-2003, 03:43 PM

18 footer.

thanks...

m.

Phil Layer · 11-02-2003, 04:10 PM

Nofish,

Awesome list. Thanks!

Kayakfisher,

I think the most important rule here is to run with other boats(assuming you've done all you can to make your boat seaworthy.

Now is a great time to start dialing your boat in for next year's tuna. You want it running great and you want confidence in its ability when you head out for that long haul. Tinker with it (and your tackle) this winter and when she lays down next summer, be ready to go for it.

There will be lots of chatter here next spring before the first run for tuna. Stay in touch and join up with a group heading out.

Hope to see you there!

KeyWest · 11-02-2003, 11:42 PM

Length? I've had mine offshore Georgia 110 miles, and 50 miles off Astoria. Mine is 22', single Honda 225 4 Stroke. I run with other boats, however.

KeyWest · 11-02-2003, 11:49 PM

Looking at your profile, I believe it says 18' Wellcraft - is that correct? Mine at 22' is pretty small, but it is designed as an offshore boat. 18' is pretty small. It would have to be pretty flat to venture out that far. Tuna were consistently at 124 40 line all summer off Astoria - about 25 miles out.

Miss B Haven · 11-03-2003, 07:48 AM

kayakfisher - the very first thing you need to know is what the range of your boat is. Assuming that's a 2 stroke, you could be on the edge of your fuel range. Running out of Warrenton, a TUna trip is pretty much a 100 mile round trip counting the trolling time. Figure 1/3 of your fuel as a reserve in case things get snotty and you can't make your best speed.

There's more but this is certainly the first step. There's more (see above) but that is the first step. A back up motor (kicker) is pretty darn essential as well.

Onokai · 11-05-2003, 11:33 PM

Know your range
carry extra fuel
go with others
Only on FLAT days
Bring all the safty gear
Have a working VHF radio
BE SAFE.

Go get em. tuna fishin is addictive take it from me. Soon you'll be looking at bigger boats more gear and longer ranges. Extra boat in the yard. Trailering to Baja off season. Hey that sounds like me. Mark

ONOKAI