Boating Questions

[piemma]

Depends where you want to fish. I'm fishing an 18' Sea Hunt CC and fish Narr Bay. I don't have any problem going anywhere I want in the bay and get a ton of large. Bill Nolan fishes out of a 16' Key Largo and has had the same results except he gets real large. What 12,
40s, 3, 50s and a 60+ last year? I can't even tell you how many 30s he and I got.

I have been in 6' seas and as far south at Pt Jude. Now, I wouldn't go to Cutty or The Block but there's no need with the fish we have gotten in the Bay

[zacs]

I assume you will be doing the same type of fishing. bay or near shore.

I think 16' is minimum. 18' is nice. 20' is real nice. 23' is awesome.

Coast guard auxiliary runs a good class.

There are thousands of books on the topic.

besides pfd & vhf, you will need flares, horn, fire extinguisher, etc.

this is the link for the RI course materialsl. http://www.boat-ed.com/ri/course/index.htm

There is a lot more you need to know. Keep asking questions.

Zac

[fishsmith]

Bishop, I love boats/boating and spend as much time as I can on them, my favorite boat is a friends boat , but seriously, if you can hold off, think about spending a year going on a few charters in the area you'll be fishing (worth weight in gold), and renting a boat if you can. OJT is the only way to get a good feel.
if you do buy, the time sure is right, the market is swamped with boats, but with 99% of boats everthing imaginable and more unimaginable will go wrong, could be your truck or the trailer, the launch, electrical, motor, a sandbar you didn't realize was there ect... ect ...

But then there are days when no one or nothing is in sight and you've got a fish on, then it's worth all the pain.

Good Luck,

[pmueller]

Originally Posted by fishsmith

Bishop, I love boats/boating and spend as much time as I can on them, my favorite boat is a friends boat , but seriously, if you can hold off, think about spending a year going on a few charters in the area you'll be fishing (worth weight in gold), and renting a boat if you can. OJT is the only way to get a good feel.
if you do buy, the time sure is right, the market is swamped with boats, but with 99% of boats everthing imaginable and more unimaginable will go wrong, could be your truck or the trailer, the launch, electrical, motor, a sandbar you didn't realize was there ect... ect ...

But then there are days when no one or nothing is in sight and you've got a fish on, then it's worth all the pain.

Good Luck,

find a mentor

[MarshCappa]

Last year was my first as a boat owner (16' Carolina Skiff) and it was great. learned a lot. I never took a class but my best friend is a Capt and he has showed me ton and let me go through some scenarios on his boat prior to my purchase. I can't wait for the upcoming season because i learned so much last year but you can never learn enough. Never skimp on the safety just to get out faster it will cost you in the long run. I agree with other posts here about getting on charters and other peoples boats before you purchase. And get it surveyed! Good luck!

[eelman]

Not all 16s are the same..Anyway, I absolutley love my boat..awesome on gas! handles rough water good and goes anyplace the big guys do within reason, Since I mostly fish alone, the need for larger just wasnt nessasary...anyway I am very happy with this boat, set up the right way they are awesome fishing machines, I can get into some tight spots where the others cannot go...I also top out at 31mph, which is fast enough for me, 2 gallons of gass and I can fish all day long...There isnt anyplace in the bay I cannot go to fish..It took me a season or two to customize it the way I wanted but now its just awesome...Anyway, you cant go wrong with these key largo boats..I baught mine at G&S Marine on the cape...great guys..I added the leaning post with cooler underneath, I have a 26 gallon livewell, that holds all the bunker I need for a days fishing, Duel batts...etc..Its much cheaper to slip costing me under a $1000 a year..I have saved a ton over what it used to cost me to drive to south county...the boat is that good on fuel..

[IMG][/IMG]

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Not all 16s are the same..Anyway, I absolutley love my boat..awesome on gas! handles rough water good and goes anyplace the big guys do within reason, Since I mostly fish alone, the need for larger just wasnt nessasary...anyway I am very happy with this boat, set up the right way they are awesome fishing machines, I can get into some tight spots where the others cannot go...I also top out at 31mph, which is fast enough for me, 2 gallons of gass and I can fish all day long...There isnt anyplace in the bay I cannot go to fish..It took me a season or two to customize it the way I wanted but now its just awesome...Anyway, you cant go wrong with these key largo boats..I baught mine at G&S Marine on the cape...great guys..I added the leaning post with cooler underneath, I have a 26 gallon livewell, that holds all the bunker I need for a days fishing, Duel batts...etc..Its much cheaper to slip costing me under a $1000 a year..I have saved a ton over what it used to cost me to drive to south county...the boat is that good on fuel..

[IMG][/IMG]

I agree. I had the 17 and found it to be very comfortable, stable, and roomy. Great on fuel too. I had a 75hp merc on it.Also had a t-top with all the electronics inside it. Its a little bumpy on anything over 3' but superb in light seas. This is an old pic from'99. If I get another boat, I won't hesitate to get another Key Largo, just a little bigger though.
G and S marine is great guys.

Like the Reaper said though, keep safety foremost. One of the reasons I got out of boat fishing is because of safety. I really liked night fishing in it, but had a lot of close calls. Its really easy to get into a lot of trouble quickly out there. Maybe spend some time in a buddy's boat before going it on your own.

[Bishop169]

For the where it would prob be mostly around Hampton to plum island Since these are the nearest docks I know of.

I will be taking the coast guard course if I decide to get the boat

I've watched the boats heading out and more then once watched some guy in a brand new boat almost get nailed pulling out of the harbor.

Nothing worse then wrecking a new boat

[piemma]

I must be the luckiest boating guy around. This is my 3rd year with this boat and I had had ZERO problems.
I am very anal about the upkeep and I check and replace anything and everything that can go wrong.
You see years ago, when I was a total fool, I had a boat and I never checked anything. I thought it was like a truck...start it up and go. I broke down all the time.
Now I have a check list. I go through everything before I leave the dock. I have 2 of everything. Depth finders, batteries, fuel/water separators, keys etc. I don't drink anymore and I pay very close attention to my surrounding. I don't believe boating is rocket science. It's just common sense and paying attention to detail.

[plankton]

Originally Posted by Bishop169

For the where it would prob be mostly around Hampton to plum island Since these are the nearest docks I know of.

I will be taking the coast guard course if I decide to get the boat

I've watched the boats heading out and more then once watched some guy in a brand new boat almost get nailed pulling out of the harbor.

Nothing worse then wrecking a new boat

If you're planning on running in/out the mouth of the Merrimack then you'll need something fairly seaworthy, 17 or 18' minimum, the mouth can get pretty rough, especially on the incoming. I would suggest learning how to handle your boat really well before attempting that spot on a rough day, lots of people have gotten into real trouble there when they didn't know what they were doing.

[MrHunters]

Originally Posted by plankton

If you're planning on running in/out the mouth of the Merrimack then you'll need something fairly seaworthy, 17 or 18' minimum, the mouth can get pretty rough, especially on the incoming. I would suggest learning how to handle your boat really well before attempting that spot on a rough day, lots of people have gotten into real trouble there when they didn't know what they were doing.

ill echo and stresss that.

that mouth is good for a few a year. my girlfriend didnt believe me until she actually came out and saw how bad it was....regarding the waters, nevermind the 200 yahoos running around

[keeperreaper]

It is not the size of the boat that makes the captain its the captain that makes the boat. Dont EVER believe you are safer in a certain size boat because even a large one can sink or even worse kill you.
Also it is a comfort level and skill thing. You acquire those from time on the water and learning from others that have more skilland/or experience. Some people wont boat in fog and darkness; others will. Skills learned experience gained. Learn to trust your electronics. They dont LIE and will save you if used properly in certain situations.

Test drive the boat in snotty weather so you have some sort of idea of how the boat handles. Run it hard into the wind and waves, quartering seas and following. Slow down to a trolling speed in all sea types. Some boats are great on the troll some suck. That way you really have a true representation of how the hull handles. Get the compression checked by a mechanic. Get the hull surveyed. Bad compression means the engine is $hitty. A rotted transom means big $$$$$ to fix.

Deep v boats wont pound as much as moderate vee boats do. Some roll fast on the drift some bow to and some even drift beam to. Find this out if you plan on drift fishing. CC's are wetter than Pilot house boats but you cant fish the front of pilot house boats as well as you can CC's. Boating is all about trade-offs

If I were you I'd try to get on as many boats as possible to A) see how different ones ride and handle B) gain valuable experience C) learn the do's and don'ts of boating.
If you are going to be fishing and boating the Merrimack find some people who own boats and go with them. Split the gas $$$ with them. Ask questions and observe. Wind opposing either an incoming or outgoing will makes inlets DANGEROUS.

They are EXPENSIVE and time consuming. That being said, I dont have a problem running 60 miles one way in my 21' boat, running in fog and darkness, and fishing solo (I dont recommend but I do a lot).
I trust my boat and know my limitations and the boats limitations and characteristics. Good luck and most importantly Be Safe. Take some boating classes. KR
They are a blast to own.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Bishop169

I will be taking the coast guard course if I decide to get the boat

Take the course now, before you even decide what kind of boat you want. The knowledge you gain will be invaluable in helping you decide which boat to buy.