As long as you have enough fuel.

 

It holds 50 gallons so bringing extra would definitely be a requirement. I believe the range on a full tank should be about 125-150 miles. Seller said he would get 3.2 mpg at an efficient crusing speed but I have yet to verify that.

 

Loaded for tuna usually means at least a couole hundred pounds of ice on the way out, and hooefully a couple hundred pounds of fish on the way in.

I would probably want at least 75 gallons of fuel if I planned on running 30+ miles out.

 

Loaded for tuna usually means at least a couole hundred pounds of ice on the way out, and hooefully a couple hundred pounds of fish on the way in.

I would probably want at least 75 gallons of fuel if I planned on running 30+ miles out.

I need to verify the fuel capacity the seller said 50 gal but from what I can find online it looks like it should be 63 based on the year and model.

 

Capacity should be on the tank. Should be a round hatch cover on floor that you can pull up to access tank.

 

It’s rare to find ideal conditions on both the run out and the run back, and slogging along in rough seas will reduce fuel efficiency. I plumbed a quick connect into my water separator so that I could use portable red tanks just in case. More importantly, I’d make some shorter trips in the boat (salmon or rockfish) to get a better feel for your fuel usage.

Guys I have known with similar boats have liked them, and I’ve seen far less capable boats on the tuna grounds. Just be safe and listen to the warnings in your head.


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Thanks for the advice. I I'm the puget sound area so I will 100% not jump right offshore and will fish salmon locally. I'm in the maritime industry profesonly 2nd mates unlimited oceans license so I am well aware of the hazards at sea.

 

The boat is capable of chasing anything it wants. After making sure you have enough fuel, YOU are the deciding variable!

 

I'm hoping you have a 150hp and not a 15hp motor to start with. The boat itself looks very doable. So for a test of your boat you could take a ride up the Columbia River. I would take yourself and another person or two, the amount of people going fishing basically. Next start with your fuel tank full and all your safety gear. For each person your taking on the boat fishing you need to add 150 pounds of weight to simulate your tuna and ice. Now go run your boat up or down the river at about 15 to 20mph max until you burn 1/3 tank of fuel and see how many miles you have gone. This will be approximately your max amount of miles you can go out into the ocean. Now go back at about 20 to 25mph until you get close to the boat launch and you should be close to having 1/3 tank of fuel left. Now troll around by the boat launch at about 7mph until your down to 1/4 tank of fuel and see how many miles you have gone for the day.
So rule of thumb for tuna fishing is 1/4 to 1/3 tank of fuel for going out. Next troll around trying not to go further out until your at 1/2 tank of fuel. It's at this point and time to point the boat back for home. You can fish for some time but must always be going in the direction of home. Hope it all works out for you and pick a day that will be very calm on the ocean to go and don't be afraid to ask for help picking those days from the seasoned guys on here. Get used to your new boat and go practice crossing the bar. At any point your head tells you to turn around because it doesn't feel right turn the boat around and go home. Have fun and be safe.

 

I have fished on a buddy's 20' Proline with a 150hp, we have gone 50 miles out on it. He carries a extra 10gal for reserve, we didn't need it because of really nice conditions. He is a salty guy and has many many trips under his belt with his boat. Yes that boat your are looking at can get out no problem, there are a lot of 19-21' sleds out on the grounds,,,gregg

 

I highly recommend a smart gauge if you can get one for your motor and fuel system. When I built my tank I assumed that it would hold a bit over 75 gallons, but had no clue what I’d burn running offshore fully loaded.

Pulling the motor’s fuel burn data on a similar hull would be wise if you’re going to repower the outboard in a few years. The Suzuki Lean Burn Technology is awesome and you get excellent fuel efficiency if you stay in the 3000 to 4000 RPM range.

Finding the “sweet spot” between making good time, not burning unnecessary fuel and staying comfortable is easier with the technology tools. I’m looking forward to adding Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot on the main motor which should eventually pay for itself as I tend to snake in/out or off course whenever I’m running 30 to 40 miles offshore and back which burns unnecessary fuel as well.

Having a Navionics Boating App in conjunction with a smart gauge synced to the main motor will allow you to really dial in what you’re burning and give you confidence that you’re abiding by the 1/3 out, 1/3 in and 1/3 in reserve boating rule. It will also allow you to get a better sense of what your guests can chip-in if you’re sharing expenses together. It’s cool to see the fuel pump data match (confirm) the fuel burn data whenever you’re fueling up at the pump.

 

I highly recommend a smart gauge if you can get one for your motor and fuel system. When I built my tank I assumed that it would hold a bit over 75 gallons, but had no clue what I’d burn running offshore fully loaded.

Pulling the motor’s fuel burn data on a similar hull would be wise if you’re going to repower the outboard in a few years. The Suzuki Lean Burn Technology is awesome and you get excellent fuel efficiency if you stay in the 3000 to 4000 RPM range.

Finding the “sweet spot” between making good time, not burning unnecessary fuel and staying comfortable is easier with the technology tools. I’m looking forward to adding Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot on the main motor which should eventually pay for itself as I tend to snake in/out or off course whenever I’m running 30 to 40 miles offshore and back which burns unnecessary fuel as well.

Having a Navionics Boating App in conjunction with a smart gauge synced to the main motor will allow you to really dial in what you’re burning and give you confidence that you’re abiding by the 1/3 out, 1/3 in and 1/3 in reserve boating rule. It will also allow you to get a better sense of what your guests can chip-in if you’re sharing expenses together. It’s cool to see the fuel pump data match (confirm) the fuel burn data whenever you’re fueling up at the pump.

Great advice. Getting a fuel meter is good practice in genera because a few hundred RPM in either direction can really effect your efficiency. Since fuel prices aren't going anywhere but up, it may save you a lot of money over the years. When we put one on we did a little math, changed the prop pitch up and ended up saving ourselves about 20% over the course of the season which was something in the neighborhood of 750 gallons. At todays fuel price that saved us about $900 over the course of a single season. Fuel for thought... Be safe, tight lines!

 

+1 on tracking fuel burn in real time... if the Yamaha 150 is a 2008, and a 4 stroke, it should support NMEA 2000 networking and can be connected to your chartplotter. Then you can get real time info on how much fuel is being sent through the injectors. It also gives you access to useful info on engine temp, oil pressure, total fuel burned per trip, etc...

Very slight changes in trim, throttle, or trim tab deployment can make a huge difference in fuel burn. Highly recommend having the engine networked into your electronics if you plan to head offshore.

In terms of running it out for tuna... my Hewes is 24.5 foot overall length w/ the hull extension engine bracket, and I run a Honda 225. Loaded for tuna, I typically get somewhere between 2.75 and 3 mpg (boat has a 100 gallon tank). I plan all my trips using the rule of thirds (1/3 of my fuel to get to the fishing grounds and fish, 1/3 to get home, 1/3 in reserve in case of an emergency or if I get stuck outside a rough bar).

 

Lots of people use that hull successfully for tuna in my area. However I would be cautious about that supposed fuel burn! I think you have a 20 deg hull which means you will have to lay on some throttle to keep her on plane when loaded up. More vee = more drag = more gas!
For perspective I have a 21 Arima hardtop which has approx a 12 deg deadrise.( huge difference). I have the same '08 F150 on mine and on my last tuna trip 30-40 mi offshore I burned 35 gal in a 115 mile all day trip cruise+troll ( typical). I carry 55 gal of fuel so I am at my 1/3 safety reserve for bad wx or range to make it to my backup harbor.
My guess is your fuel burn will be notably more. That Yam has a very accurate fuel flow meter on it which you can hook up to a mfd or to a Yam gauge to see what you are burning under diff conditions and rpm/s. I much prefer to stress out offshore over bad wx than fuel supply!!

ps: you can see i burn about 2 gal/hr at tuna troll speed

 

Always plan to come back with 1/3 of your fuel left over. If a bar is closed, or you tow someone. Or spend a night, you'll need it.

On the right day, that boat will get you some tuna, no problem.

 

Ive went out 40 miles in a 20 foot alumaweld stryker had about 2 gallons to spare when I got back and pee'd blood for 3 days but I caught tuna. never again.

 

I think anyone's answer to this question is pretty much irrelevant unless they've inspected the boat, your equipment and know your skills. It's much less about that boat than it is you, your plan, condition of your gear and prep.

 

At face value, that boat is fine for tuna. That asssumes she's well-maintained. Safety depends more on the knowledge, temperament and judgement of the captain.