Boat size for tuna

seabass · 12-17-2003, 07:18 PM

I have always "dreamed" of going out for tuna. I have fished the ocean for 20 years in a boat under 20 feet. I am a former member of Newport CG Aux (only one year before moving to Aloha). I have a lot of respect for the big blue and am curious about the size of boat that all of you tunaholics :grin: are using. I know that my 18.5 ft seaswirl cuddy can cover a lot of water pretty fast on a nice day, but when the wind picks up it is a slow trip back. I am looking forward to a 20+ ft Striper when the kids finish college, but for now its the cuddy and I am not too sure about taking a 18.5 ft boat out that far. Rock pile? No problem! Tuna?

What are your opinions? Thanks in advance.

Seabass

skein · 12-17-2003, 08:54 PM

Seabass,

I'm not the one to tell you since I haven't had my boat out for tuna yet, but the things that influenced me were:

* A hull that would handle fairly rough water, i.e. rough enough to try to bury the bow.
* Enough fuel to get out 40 miles, troll long enough to make it worthwhile, and reserves to get back.
* Equipment, both power and electronics that were new enough or in good enough shape to be able to count on them.
* Enough room and displacement to handle the ice and ice/fish load - in rough seas.
* Enough creature comforts so I wouldn't pass any more kidney stones just because I went fishing.

Personally, I think the Julie Rose III is just about right. :grin:

Skein

Reelentless · 12-17-2003, 09:49 PM

Im just a wannabe Tunaholic but...

I just sold the North River I had and bought a used 24' SeaSport. Haven't had it out yet, but I think it will do ok.

Mark Mc · 12-17-2003, 09:55 PM

I hear those Seasports can hold a few tuna...

Onokai · 12-17-2003, 11:13 PM

You can fish Tuna from a small boat (under 20 feet) such as a Boston Whaler. I did for 5 years. You have to know the weather carry lots of fuel and be prepared fot weather extremes. That said a bigger boat in the 22 to 26 foot range has much more comfort, range ,and carring capacity. My 23 foot whaler is more safe, more comfort, more everthing, including cost.The 166 gallon gas tank means I can go out 50 Plus miles and troll all day and when the wind blows and it will usually blow sooner than later I can run home against it with fuel to spare.The 250 horse engine means plenty of power and no cash left in wallet. If You need to trailer your boat you want a smaller one when on the ocean you want it to be the size of the Queen Mary. Its a toss up but for me 23 to 24 feet is best. Mark
ONOKAI

backlash442 · 12-18-2003, 06:29 AM

It all depends on how well built the boat is and how well it handles in bad weather imo. Also how well the skipper can handle a boat in that bad weather.
Having said that you see all kinds of boats offshore down here. There is a guy who fishes a about a 20' Bay Runner CC type boat out of Morro Bay. Boat is appropriately named "Death Wish". Seen that guy out in some fairly rough seas. Maybe it comes down to how big ones cojones are or how small ones brain is.

royalfish · 12-18-2003, 09:01 AM

I am planning on taking my 20' Grady out to the tuna grounds this year. I am planning on re-powering with a new 4 stroke as my outboard is vintage 1990 as is the boat. Should have adequate fuel for a round trip with 80 gallons. Will get a new radio with range and other safety equipment as well.
Am planning on going with other dogs, and trips will be based on the weather more so than the good fishing. Will be going out of the CR and I have seen that bar and ocean blow up in a relatively short period of time. Safety is always first I want to live to fish another day.

Good luck and hope to see you on the big blue.
I am a wanna be Tuna Capt.

Kevin

seabass · 12-18-2003, 10:46 AM

thanks for the input.

I have seen some pretty small boats out there (13' open aluminum lake boat with 3 adults) when it was getting too rough for me. I was heading in because the conditions were getting rough and these guys were heading out. Their net was bigger than their boat.

Seabass

seabass · 12-18-2003, 07:15 PM

I am still curious about what size boats people take out. My seaswirl cuddy has a deep vee hull and slices the swells very nicely. With the high sides and bow I don't take on much water in most conditions. I have a 120 horse evinrude and 8 horse evinrude kicker with a tr-1. I have a lot of experience in the ocean but will never say that I am a "expert" in fact I usually turn and run when my kicker starts coming out of the water. The more comments the better. Thanks again for those that have given their suggestions

Mello-Yello · 12-18-2003, 08:41 PM

I had an older (78) 19' Seaswirl Cuddy that would have worked as a tuna boat...well, except it was old and becoming somewhat unreliable. It had the deep V and high sides too. The only issue I had with it was it was quite narrow.

I'm now running a 20' Wooldridge w/a 115hp Honda. I have a 38gal tank (carry an additional 30 gals). Got into tuna all three times I ran out (avg. 38 miles) and never had to refuel, though I came pretty close after one particular all-day event.

If I were stuck on ocean only, I'd definetely have gone with a bigger boat...still might. But for now, if I pick my days carefully, the yellow boat can pack about 20 tuna home, which is all I need in one dose anywayz...

When I grow up, I'm gettin one like Skein's!

KeyWest · 12-19-2003, 04:37 AM

22'

Scaup · 12-19-2003, 05:04 AM

19' Arima. 2 of everything. Pick my days carefully.

kamloops · 12-19-2003, 05:50 AM

Hey Dean,

Are you going to be on the beach this Saturday at 2pm.

backlash442 · 12-19-2003, 07:09 AM

22' Davis Boat. Fished in some pretty snotty seas and still felt safe. Snotty was wind over 30 knots.

Lepper · 12-19-2003, 09:21 AM

19' ALUMAWELD.. Been out 3 or 4 times around the 26-28 mile mark.. picked days carefully and been home by noon.. if the wind is going to blow it will start picking up in the late afternoon. so I try to be home by noon or a few after..

key is pick your days carefully, watch the weather several days before your trip and pay close attention to what is happening a couple of days after the trip..

Popeye · 12-19-2003, 09:34 AM

This one works for me :grin:

id. painter · 12-19-2003, 09:49 AM

You are a show off Popeye,,,, But with a ride like that you deserve to be.Beautyful boat. Makes me feel a bit skimpy with a 20fter. id. painter

seabass · 12-19-2003, 10:30 AM

Wow, Nice boat. I bet your lifeboat is bigger than my seaswirl. I can't wait till the school district starts paying me more so I can buy one of those.

Mr. Fisherman · 12-21-2003, 09:58 PM

I learned the answer to this question a long time ago. I was 36 miles out to sea on the Pilar and Johnboy says to me, " Hey Ray, do you know when your boat is too small on the Ocean?.... It's when you spend all your time looking for a smaller boat out here..."

True that....

The answer you seek is one that will apply to you in a very personal way. The answer is not one you will find from any of us. It will come from yourself.

Get out there and experience the ocean in all of her splendid glory.... Do it on as many different boats as you can.... Then go get the one that makes the most sense to you for your circumstances.

It isn't the easy answer but nothing about the ocean is easy. Enjoy your journey.

It isn't too early to start trying to get a seat for Halibut or Tuna IMHO.

What do your Coast Guard buddies have to say about this question?

I love to see the guys on the 47' cutter drag a big Halibut over the side. I would really like to see them dragging in Tuna from handlines sometime. It would mean that they didn't have anything better to do an I would appreciate seeing first hand that my tax dollars were being well spent. My hats off the the Coast Guard. Thay have been there for me and several of my friends. They will be well fed

[ 12-21-2003, 11:01 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

Badger · 12-22-2003, 08:11 AM

Seabass,

I fish a 24' Sea Ray Cuddy with 150-HP and 80 gal. fuel. It meets my needs for the time being and loves to fish for TUNA! I'll trade up for a SeaSport or Grady when I hit a few numbers -- same size give or take.

I'm guessing we probably have pretty similar hull designs, cut through the slop about the same. I wouldn't want anything smaller... can only handle about 20 fish with crew, icebox, etc.

I've been out in the good as well as the bad. Sure, I'd like another 6 feet on the bow and 2 more in the beam when things get nasty, who wouldn't. But trailering anything bigger around the Pacific NW gets to be a hassle real quick. I just squeezed it into my driveway last night for the off season, it was tight!

You're welcome to take a look or come along next spring sometime if you like, I'm in SW Portland. Email me if you desire.

See you out on the great big pond.

Bryan

seabass · 12-24-2003, 07:30 PM

Thanks for all of the replies. I feel that the biggest area that my boat comes up too short is with fuel. I have been following another thread on this subject and have not found a comfortable solution to this problem yet. The boat has a very wide beam for it's size and handles sloppy water very well. Other comments about reliability need to also be considered. As for my time with the CG Aux. I only spent just over one year with them, I kind of feel guilty, they spent a lot of time teaching me many valuable skills then I moved to Aloha. I will return the favor when I retire. In response to the CG fishing... a yearly activity for the CG Aux was to take the CG crews out fishing with us and then have a bbq. On my boat was a young CG member from Montana. He was moaning about the "broomsticks" that they catch fish with on the cutter. I pulled out my fly rod, hooked it in the downrigger and you should have seen his eyes light up when the fish started nailing it. :shocked:

Thanks again and I hope to meet some of you next summer. Maybe a salmon fishing get together in Newport next June.

Seabass

Pilar · 12-29-2003, 07:59 PM

Seabass, good question. I fish in a old 19' glass boat. It's a hybrid trihull (Cathedral) and was modified/rebuilt before I took it out on big blue. Mr. Fisherman is giving you good advice.

Fish with some of the guys that do it every year this next summer and make a list of all the stuff you see on boats that works for you. My list includes a hardtop or canvassed cabin, large underdeck or out of the way fish box, storage room for gear and ice, reliable fuel efficient motor, large fuel cell or combination of strap on and installed fuel, open fishing area, and a deep vee glass hull. Most TUNA! days for me log less than 130 miles but some go as far as 160. 200 plus miles of range is a must if you do not want to be limited by fuel.

There are several 'Salty dogs' who have done this 'rider' thing and used what they learned to run a boat they already had or to purchase a boat.

A couple of guys even had boats made by a local builder and modified the basic design by what they wanted.

It's hard to get all of the things you want in any one boat. You can get much of this in a larger boat but fuel economy suffers and so does the ability to easily trailer and haul the boat.

My boat is small and I am often wishing the boat was bigger when it gets rough. We try to avoid the rough days. Even with the small boat we are wildly successful at times and always have a great deal of fun. The small boat is easy to haul and I move to wherever the fishing is hot at will.

The weather during the summer often is stable like it is no other time of the year. You can get several days of calm conditions in a row and we are fortunate that these often coincide with the schools of TUNA! feeding within range of our raiding parties. The importance of good ocean conditions to this group is obvious when you consider the many midweek trips that are undertaken during prime TUNA! time when the sea state is calm and the Infrared photos look good.

But all things considered the boat size is not the most important thing. Reliability and preparedness (both you and the boat) outweigh every other consideration.

You could use your boat on the nice days, just like I do if it is adequately prepared and you are very particular about weather and ocean conditions.

wak'm&stak'm · 12-30-2003, 06:38 AM

Being secure with your boat is important, BUT...what I really appreciate is having other friends on the water. Very few trips have been made where I can't reach someone on the radio.

I make a mental note of where everyone is, and I know they do the same. When in doubt.....run with someone.

Salmonator · 12-30-2003, 07:30 PM

At risk of being stoned in town square I have to make mention of my perfect little tuna boat, a 1995 20' Bayliner Trophy walkaround. Every time it gets me safely back to port with a boatload of halibut or tuna helps me forget the fact that it's the butt-end of most boat jokes.
It covers most of what Pilar mentioned...
1) Deep V hull, which I believe is designed to throw water better than most hulls giving a drier ride.
2) Adequate fuel capacity (one 83 gallon tank)
3) Reliable power (150 2stroke merc)
4) Fuel efficient (chicken ranch and back on a rough day with 1/2+ tank left, not the best but good enough for me)
5) In floor fish storage
6) Dual batteries with perko

Something Pilar did not mention but I know is on his list is a hand-laid cloth hull. I found this out on accident when I had a panel off doing some wiring. Good to know when you smack that invisible dead-head. The open cockpit as opposed to a hard-top was my preference. I like the visiblity for running wide open in the ocean and for anchoring in the Columbia, I just dress accordingly for the weather.
I can also sleep two adults comfortably in the cuddy. Three is doable.
Because it is only 20' it doubles nicely as a wakeboard/kneeboard boat, and it trailers like a dream with a double axle.
I would recommend one to anyone thrift shopping for a good offshore rig in the 10-15K range. I really think dollar for dollar you can't beat 'em and anyone who says they wouldn't set foot in one (and I've heard it on this board) has their head in the sand or might be selling a different brand of boat

Reelentless · 12-30-2003, 07:56 PM

Hey Salmonator, nothing to be ashamed of there. She looks like she does what you ask of her and then some.

Sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat wondering why the hell I spent so much ******* money.

Salmonator · 12-30-2003, 08:22 PM

I'm sure your boat is worth every penny. I did the $35,000 boat thing once. I thought my last boat would be a 22' aluminum sled. As it turned out, as much as I loved that thunderjet, it was great for guiding but wasn't the best overall boat for me and the family. You'd think a nice guy like me would get to spend 35K a second time right? Nooooo....

:grin:

KeyWest · 12-30-2003, 08:22 PM

I hear it all the time with my boat - "I would never go out there in a boat that small". Well, always remember the saying "No balls, no blue chips". I'm sure you know what it means.

WP · 12-30-2003, 10:55 PM

At 20 feet, mine is one of the smallest regularly out on the tubna grounds....it works for me! Love the sea keeping and the portability. It is set up reasonably and is as safe as I can make her without giving up on ocean fishing (NOT!)
Dave

Birdnest · 12-30-2003, 11:18 PM

Quote:

I learned the answer to this question a long time ago. I was 36 miles out to sea on the Pilar and Johnboy says to me, " Hey Ray, do you know when your boat is too small on the Ocean?.... It's when you spend all your time looking for a smaller boat out here..."

True that....

Fishplay · 12-30-2003, 11:50 PM

28ft Thunderbird with a 10ft+ beam (cathedral hull) w/twin 302 V8's and 130 gal of fuel.

I used 70gal of fuel on the last TUNA trip but we were all blown off the water early.

I do have two aux tanks that would provide another 40 gallons if the planned trip called for it.

I fished my 19ft sled offshore for 2 years and the only limitations that concerned me were fuel and comfort. I picked my days wisely back then but still do that today with the Sea Monster.

Your boat is capable if you are. But only you know your comfort level.

Pilar · 12-31-2003, 07:32 AM

Joe, good point about glass construction methods. Hand laid glass cloth was the rule up until about 25 years ago. In the bad old days the whole layup was done with sheets of glass cloth and resin rolled into it. This a time consuming and labor intensive construction method but yields a tough and abuse tolerant hull. They did it this way from the start and many older boats are very strong and still in use.

Then the price of the materials went up and someone decided to cheapen the construction methods. They did this by using a tool called a chop gun that sprayed a mixture of randomly oriented short glass strands and resin onto the hull forms. Glass cloth was still used but only to bind gel coat to the rest of the layup. This quickly became the normal method that was used to build everyday glass boats.

Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester (FRP) is a composite material and is very sensitive to proper techniques during boat building. You can still get new properly built boats but they are high end and cost accordingly. Just because it is a fiberglass boat does not mean it is built to take alot of abuse.

Nice boat, Joe. When are we going to chase TUNA! again?

Salmonator · 12-31-2003, 08:14 AM

I just chased some out of the freezer and into the deep fryer last night! Oh yea, then I chased it again with a little hornitos. Sometimes food isn't the only good holiday leftovers

I would love to get out and chase some bullets with ya Johnboy at our earliest possible convenience. That's the one thing I've been guilty of on several occasions, running up to 50 miles out without an escort although I've been able to get good coastguard radio checks everywhere I've been. It is an eerie feeling though being out that far with nothing but water (and tuna and sharks) in sight :shocked:

WP · 12-31-2003, 11:12 PM

Usually it is not hard to find a smaller boat...I am amazed at the boats I find 30 miles out. I know one 18 footer that fishes with no radio and no GPS...been doing it for years. Just call me chicken! lol :smile:
Dave

seabass · 01-03-2004, 07:26 PM

Thanks to all of you who have replied. From what I have gathered from your responses and my experience with my current boat, I am confident that my boat would be ok for tuna except for the shortage of fuel. I have been out 25 miles NW of Newport(easy to do on a smooth ocean) then used the kicker for trolling for salmon. I think that I will avoid the boat show this year because I fear that I would take the dive and buy the Striper that I have been looking at.

Maybe I should go but not have a beer till I get home.

Or, I could just tell my kids that I can't help them with their college expenses. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]