BajaNomad - Tin Boat Limitations

Tin Boat Limitations

Al G - 9-3-2005 at 05:42 PM

I have read a lot on tin boats, but I am still not clear on what they can do and what is dangerous.
Let us look at a setup.
1) New or late model 14' Valco, Gregor
2)18 +- hp 4 stroke (25hp if 1-2 people can handle it)
3) Safety equipment ???
4) Depth and GPS
Would it be silly to try to learn/compete in the Mulege Yellow fin tourney with this setup?
Myself, I would not push any limits, still would like to know what they are. You never know someday, I might be an old salt again.
Albert

comitan - 9-3-2005 at 06:08 PM

The boat should handle anything short of a full blown Chubasco, The real limitation in boating is the operator, not just experience, but physically to withstand the punishment the sea can give you.

Diver - 9-3-2005 at 06:24 PM

You'd have to be the adventurous type to stay out in your Gregor when the wind/waves come up; and a really wet ride home if you're down wind/wave. The good thing is that many others will be out with you and they Gregor towes great behind a bigger boat if you adjust the tow line to put the boat on the wake ! :lol:

I've been out a few times in my 14' Lund when I wished I wasn't !
I would go to a 16' or 17' tin boat with console unless you want to "beach-wheel" it. They aren't much heavier to tow.
The larger size boat will handle a kicker along with the main motor and even a bait well.

[Edited on 9-4-2005 by Diver]

Mike Humfreville - 9-3-2005 at 06:26 PM

I have used a 14' Gregor all over Bahia de Los Angeles for 30 years and had what could have been serious problems only once or twice. My engine is now a 20 horse 4 cycle Honda and the Klamath is the model with the ~65 mils aluminum rather than the thin-skinned one. But I'm not a serious fisherman and, for example, I would not take my boat to the big island (Isla de la Guarda) from the bay. Like Comitan says, it's a combination of the pilot, the experience, the weather and luck.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

comitan - 9-3-2005 at 06:28 PM

also remember 4strokes are heavy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diver - 9-3-2005 at 06:35 PM

Good point;
My 14' Lund does fine with a 2-stroke Merc 15, you'd need a bigger 4-stroke and it wouldn't plane out as fast.
The 17' Northwestern has 4-strokes, 50 and 8 Yamahas.

Skipjack Joe - 9-3-2005 at 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G

Would it be silly to try to learn/compete in the Mulege Yellow fin tourney with this setup?
Albert

Your chances of winning a tournament against the bigger boats is very small. They would reach the fishing grounds long before you and be moving from spot to spot faster than you. That's especially true if the water is not perfectly calm.

Once you started to fish your competition would be using live mackerel at a rate you could never match. Their live bait wells cannot be matched by a tin boats. A tin boat's bait well is usually maxed out with about 6 mackerels or so.

A tin boat's greatest advantage is it's portability. The ability to access all of baja, not just the areas around the 12 or so launch ramps. Those areas have been fished real hard over the years.

I agree with all of the earlier posts. Properly handled, a tin boat can manage some pretty rough water.

There is a really funny and amusing story in the Baja Adventure where Walter Peterson and friends overload an aluminum boat in the midriff area and sink the damn thing. Well, it pops up, they put on their swim fins and kick to the nearest island where they drain it and proceed back home. Moral of the story, if you are really in command of your equipment you will never perish. Peterson was an exceptional individual and often pushed the envelope in baja but he never was out of control.

skipjack

Al G - 9-3-2005 at 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
You'd have to be the adventurous type to stay out in your Gregor when the wind/waves come up; and a really wet ride home if you're down wind/wave. The good thing is that many others will be out with you and they Gregor towes great behind a bigger boat if you adjust the tow line to put the boat on the wake ! :lol:

I am the adventurous type, and would not panic (maybe pee my pants), but what's a little more water?
I think I am stuck with beach wheel now because of tow captivity( top of my jeep behind motorhome)
I have alot better feeling now because of your info about the Wave tow. What a great ideal!!

Al G - 9-3-2005 at 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G

Would it be silly to try to learn/compete in the Mulege Yellow fin tourney with this setup?
Albert

I am reading Walt's book now. What an amazing man!!
I do not wish to win, my dreams have not got out of control, but to know your limits is to keep the laughter down.
My goal the next couple years is to learn and not die.
I believe the information I can get from you great Nomads will make that possible.
It may even be possible to find each one of you and buy you a beer! I do hope so.
Albert

Diver - 9-3-2005 at 07:45 PM

I didn't see a Marine/vhf radio on your list.
Never leave home without it ! At least a good waterproof portable.

A flair gun and flashlight are a good idea along with a spare spark plug, electrical tape, and a piece of wire come in handy for bypassing switches when they go bad at sea. A spare prop, cotter or sheer pin and some tools are a good idea but usually not needed. Water and snacks come in handy if you run out of beer ! And don't forget the ice for your catch !

Look at tin boats like Klamaths with a little bow rise and a full 20" transom.

Skipjack Joe - 9-3-2005 at 08:28 PM

I thought you were referring to a 14' aluminum boat, not 16 or 18 footer. That's what my post referred to. Fourteen footer with 15hp engine. Sorry if I misunderstood you.

Skipjack Joe - 9-3-2005 at 10:32 PM

You're right Whistler, it does seem out of control.

But this sort of thing seems to occur to the writer all throughout his book. And yet his mechanical ability and resourcefulness seem to always get him out of these jams.

There is an episode when he breaks the pin on his outboard propeller on some island. Then he fashions a makeshift pin out of a nail, or something, which he breaks another four times in a storm and still makes it back to port.

Another episode he runs a large hook through his palm at Isla Esteban (great yellowtail fishing there, by the way) and uses a jigsaw to saw the end off and back it back out. They disinfect the wound and keeps on fishing.

The stories are wonderfully told with a self-deprecating sense of humor.

The author knew that the boat he sank had enough flotation in those seats to support it and the motor. So, in that respect, he felt assured. They tried to bail out all the water while in the sea but were unsuccessful because new water would come in over the side just as quickly. They tried a few other things, also, but in the end they just swam for shore. I guess that's why they call it 'The Baja Adventure Book'.

As you can tell, I am a big fan of Walter Peterson - both for his writing ability and for doing all he did in Baja. His son has also written a bit on baja, but lacks the old man's writing skills, in my opinion (whose style he imitates).

skipjack

"I have used a 14' Gregor all over Bahia de Los Angeles for 30 years and had what could have been serious problems only once or twice. "

jrbaja - 9-4-2005 at 10:33 AM

Does that include when you forgot to tighten down the transom screws and had to replace your friends outboard? :lol:

bajajudy - 9-4-2005 at 10:56 AM

Also,
Be sure to take plenty of drinking water....just in case!
Have fun and good luck

Good tin boat story

Sharksbaja - 9-4-2005 at 10:59 AM

Funny, my best friend Chuck Finn, a commercial fisherman who broke his back more than once, regularly takes his 14' tin boat 30-50 miles offshore to fish tuna with light gear.
Takes his EPIRB, his radio and his survival suit.
True grit these guys have.

Sorry to say the tuna did not materialize offshore this year. It has gotten better here in recent years but not this one.
Ditto for salmon.

I sure have alot

Al G - 9-4-2005 at 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Funny, my best friend Chuck Finn, a commercial fisherman who broke his back more than once, regularly takes his 14' tin boat 30-50 miles offshore to fish tuna with light gear.
Takes his EPIRB, his radio and his survival suit.
True grit these guys have.

Sorry to say the tuna did not materialize offshore this year. It has gotten better here in recent years but not this one.
Ditto for salmon.

to learn so don't laugh.
Sharksbaja, what is a EPIRB and is the survival suit for cold water or???

JZ - 9-4-2005 at 11:40 AM

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. When activated it transmits a signal of your location to satelites on a frequency that is monitored world-wide (including by the Mexican Navy). Newer ones come with build-in GPSs. They cost about a grand.

Yes, a survival suit is for cold water.

And it's not a good idea

jrbaja - 9-4-2005 at 11:48 AM

to run around testing them every so often either! :lol:

JZ - 9-4-2005 at 11:52 AM

Al G: one of your most important safety items is your anchor. Make sure you know how to use it properly! and that you have plenty of rode that is in a good condition. It is a good idea to have a back-up, but you might be pressed for room. I have three on my boat and two spare rodes.

Another thing you might think about getting is a ditch bag. These are pretty cheap. They float and are water resistant. You put all your basic survival gear in it: portable VHF, extra batteries, flares, water, sun screen, small first aid kit, etc. ACR makes a good one, and you can order them from the web.

Al G - 9-4-2005 at 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JZ
EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. When activated it transmits a signal of your location to satelites on a frequency that is monitored world-wide (including by the Mexican Navy). Newer ones come with build-in GPSs. They cost about a grand.

Yes, a survival suit is for cold water.

They must be be for longer range use where marine raido can not reach.
Not that I intend to test it :no:

, but how far can one expect marine radio to reach?

You can test your radio all you want Al

jrbaja - 9-4-2005 at 12:01 PM

the EPIRB will work anywhere on the planet and you can be sure, someone will come looking to see where the signal is coming from!

Sharksbaja - 9-4-2005 at 12:07 PM

Oh, I forgot, he also brings his handheld GPS, but it's not primarily for safety.

Very cold water here yearround 48-52 degrees warm. :lol:

comitan - 9-4-2005 at 12:11 PM

whistler

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Al G - 9-4-2005 at 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JZ
Al G: one of your most important safety items is your anchor. Make sure you know how to use it properly! and that you have plenty of rode that is in a good condition. It is a good idea to have a back-up, but you might be pressed for room. I have three on my boat and two spare rodes.

Another thing you might think about getting is a ditch bag. These are pretty cheap. They float and are water resistant. You put all your basic survival gear in it: portable VHF, extra batteries, flares, water, sun screen, small first aid kit, etc. ACR makes a good one, and you can order them from the web.

JZ Is this what you are refering to?
http://www.acrelectronics.com/rapidditch/rapidexpair.html
will it air up?
Please explain More about the anchor. I have used them alot in the Delta (Sacramento River), but not sure what you mean.
Albert

comitan - 9-4-2005 at 12:21 PM

JZ

I can guarantee that Al knows how to anchor after boating in the Delta, if you don't anchor correctly you end up on a berm.

turtleandtoad - 9-4-2005 at 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G

Quote:

They must be be for longer range use where marine raido can not reach.
Not that I intend to test it :no:

, but how far can one expect marine radio to reach?

EPIRB's are for emergency only. They work anywhere in the world and all countries have landsat stations monitoring them. They (or at least most of them) are mounted in such a manner that they will release automatically when a vessel goes under and float to the surface. They then transmit your position (some will also transmit the vessels name, owner, contact phone number, etc) to the satellite, which in turn transmits the distress signal to the authorities.

So, unless you want to draw a crowd (and pay a big fine), don't even think about "testing" an EPIRB!!

As to the range of marine radios, it depends on the frequency, how well the transeiver is matched to the antenna (SWR), and whether it's digital or analog (among other things). Marine radios are fine for general communications but I wouldn't rely on them for emergencies unless they meet SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea, an international agreement) for the area you're in.

Al G - 9-4-2005 at 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
JZ

I can guarantee that Al knows how to anchor after boating in the Delta, if you don't anchor correctly you end up on a berm.

Comitan,
I thought he was going to tell me if all was lost wrap it around my neck and get it over with! :lol:

Al G - 9-4-2005 at 12:38 PM

http://www.medicalofficer.net/index_files/Page2399.htm
I found this, so if there is someone out there that needs as much help as I do

comitan - 9-4-2005 at 12:48 PM

Al

After many years boating in the Baja, The most important to me is the VHF radio you should never be out of radio range with a tin boat, and as someone said before water, personally I also have a box with canned sardines, crackers, also first aid kit with something to cut a hook out of you,this is very important I know!!! You know the rest fire ext. life jackets. an EPIRB is used mostly on offshore yachts.

Sharksbaja - 9-4-2005 at 12:49 PM

Smart info TNT. You are also correct about proper antenna trimming. It makes ALL the difference.

turtleandtoad - 9-4-2005 at 02:19 PM

Not sure about the Mexican regs, but as a retired Coastie who did a lot of boardings and inspections, I can assure you that, in the US, all vessels that carry passengers for hire ARE required to have EPIRB's. Along with any inspected vessel and a lot of uninspected vessels.

I'm going to have to read up on the Mexican regs but I believe they are very similar. Whether they are as strictly enforced is another question.

turtleandtoad - 9-4-2005 at 02:22 PM

Pompano,

I think I spent some time in that same motel

comitan - 9-4-2005 at 03:04 PM

Turtleandtoad

I don't think you will find any reg's for EPIRB on vessels for hire in Mexico, there are many boats for hire fishing Pangas they do not have EPIRB's it would be cost prohibitive for them.

turtleandtoad - 9-4-2005 at 03:08 PM

Ships, Thats the one!!! I was there in the late 70's and that pier was falling down then. I just spent one night, waiting for a chopper to take me out to the cutter Boutwell and was glad to have it just to get out of the wind.

JZ - 9-4-2005 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G
JZ Is this what you are refering to?
http://www.acrelectronics.com/rapidditch/rapidexpair.html
will it air up?
Please explain More about the anchor. I have used them alot in the Delta (Sacramento River), but not sure what you mean.
Albert

That is it. It doesn't air up. It will float as is. You should also have a cheap hand held GPS in it, so you can give your exact location.

I have an ERIPB, sense I go way out of VHF range. But for what you are doing, it would be overkill.

VHF is light of sight, the distant you can transmit is most dependend on the height of the antenna's. There is rough formula using antenna height that gives you approximate distance. The antenna's at marina's in San Carlos and Santa Rosalia have good distance. Crossing from Baja to the mainland you have radio contact with one of these two stations almost the whole way across (from a fixed mounted VHF).

With a hand held you could probably expect range of 3 to 5 miles with another boat, and maybe more with people on land.

Regarding anchoring, I was taking about knowing how to put out the correct amount of scope and how to correctly set it.

[Edited on 9-4-2005 by JZ]

turtleandtoad - 9-4-2005 at 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Turtleandtoad

I don't think you will find any reg's for EPIRB on vessels for hire in Mexico, there are many boats for hire fishing Pangas they do not have EPIRB's it would be cost prohibitive for them.

Yeah, I kind of figured that, pangas are kind of a Mexican thing, not many running around in the US. And I bet they don't have to worry about Maritime papers, business licenses, withholding taxes, or health plans either :lol:

But I did notice a lot of the smaller charter boats (probably US owned) in Cabo had them. The fly fishing charters that I looked at had them.

Could also be a case of selective enforcement, the Cabo charters can afford them but I doubt if the panga's in Mulege could. So they enforce it in Cabo but not in Mulege??

A-OK - 9-4-2005 at 03:24 PM

A little note about tin cans.... DO NOT buy a rivetted hull, only welded. Those rivets will pop out left and right in rough water or washboard roads on the trailer.

Pick and choose your days and you can go as far as fuel will allow in a tin can.

turtleandtoad - 9-4-2005 at 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Turtleandtoad...the epirbs are great for finding the remains up here....unfortunately not in time if you remember how cold the water is over at Dutch Harbor.

[Edited on 9-4-2005 by Pompano]

Actually, we normally always found the EPIRB, but remains were mostly of the vessel, not the crew; especially during Opilio Crab season. When one of those boats roll over, there's not much left to find.

Al G - 9-5-2005 at 10:05 AM

"Good place to start is boatraderonline.com You will find many thousands."
Thanks Pompano,
I'll check it out.
I also want say thanks to all the fishing Nomads, the help has come so fast I am having a difficult time digesting all and responding. I want you all to know how I appreciate all of you. :bounce:

When I get to meet you the Pacifico will flow. :yes:

Al G - 9-5-2005 at 10:10 AM

"Here ya go, Al...might consider a re-paint, though. "
I'll take it as long as the wife doesn't own a gun!

He may need it to sleep in :lol:

Pescador - 9-5-2005 at 10:23 AM

This is an interesting post and as usual we have lots of opinions. If what you have is a 14 ft. tin boat and you want to fish the tournament, go for it and do the best you can. Do not take unnecessary chances, but those boats have been plying these waters for a long, long time. Go slowly, get the experience, learn from those who know more than you do, and most of all enjoy the journey.
When I fished mostly by myself, a 14ft Klamath was an absolutely perfect platform, and I could carry as much bait as I wanted, and get to all the places where the "big boys" were catching fish and always managed to do my share and sometimes a little more. Now I have a larger boat but since my wife has learned to fish and enjoys being out there as much as I do, the extra comfort and safety is nice.
At San Lucas Cove we have a guy by the name of Glen who has fished his whole life from Alaska to Mexico. I daresay that if he chose to enter the tournament in his 14ft Gregor with a 15hp Honda, he would probably kick everybodys butt.
This guy and his wife leave SLC everymorning in the dark, make bait before most others even get up, and he is on the most productive yellowtail hole before first light. At first I used to worry when he would be out until late in the day when the water was so rough that the big boats all came back in, but I soon learned that this guy really knows the water and would be out in water that sent everyone else home.
One day he was fishing when no one else was out there at the north side of San Marcos Island, and needless to say it was beyond rough. He hooks a big yellowtail and is fighting the fish when a seal gets ahold of the fish and starts to fight really hard to get the fish. As the seal starts to swim up current, Glen's boat gets pulled backwards into the waves and starts to take water over the transom. Now it is easy to say that you would just cut the line, but all of your concentration is being taxed to the max just to keep the boat upright and headed properly in relation to the sea. Well, they did take quite a bit of water before he did manage to get his line cut, but he then went in to a calmer section of water, rerigged and then went out and caught two more.
The point here is that in a smaller boat, the rough water can be ridden well if you know your boat, have it balanced properly, and have tons of experience. And yes, he has a VHF radio, GPS, oars, and a well tuned and properly maintained engine.

comitan - 9-5-2005 at 11:38 AM

Pescador

Thanks for the fill in on Glen&Gloria, we've known them for at least 16 years and he hasn't changed at all, one thing I might add is that Gloria does not know how to swim and is terrified of the water. Yes one other thing he is the 1st person that I know of to put Beach wheels mtg through the boat hull.

For regular use in Baja

Hook - 9-6-2005 at 11:22 AM

I would strongly suggest a tin boat with a console, preferably a center console, if you dont HAVE to do the cartopper thing.

A boat that steers from the stern has so much less margin for error in steering, and running downswell can cause the tiller to have a mind of it's own, IF YOU EXPERIENCE EVEN A MOMENT'S INATTENTIVENESS. And that can happen for a number of reasons; obstacles in your path, a sudden gust of wind, ...... or the sunbathing beauties at Pompano's beach (cue the pic insertion, Pompano!). It's much harder to wrench a steering wheel out of your control than it is a tiller. It's also much easier to turn the boat in the wrong direction in a left-means-right and right-means-left steering situation.

In addition, stern steering boats often are hand crankers which usually means they have no battery system. It's nice to have a bilge pump or two for the amounts of water than the low front end and transom on a cartopper will ship. Try bailing the front sections of the boat while you are sitting at the stern steering and you must remain underway due to the wind and waves. A console provides a good place for electrical switches and battery storage out of the elements. Also good for mounting fish finders and, boy, have good ones become cheap these days! Why not have one? Mounting ones in a conventional stern steering boat means a location that will be "in the way" invariably.

Weight distribution is also much better when you don't have the bulk of the weight at the transom. Console boats allow for better placement of a bait tank. They are also better able to balance the increased weight of a 4 stroke.

Also, consider that a center console boat will put you ahead of much of your hull's spray, when a strong wind is on your beam. You are a target for all of the spray at the stern. This is a major consideration if you plan on fishing in the windy, cool months of Nov thru April. You would think that the solution would be to run slow enough to prevent this but sometimes your speed is dictated by the conditions.

Tin boats at 19 feet or under really trailer very easily and can be towed by almost anything. Of course, no hand launching....you must have something resembling a ramp.

Look for a high front end like on the Klamaths, the Bayrunners, the Westcoasters or others intended for the occasional big water. A low front end usually means a design intended for lake fishing. It will work on perfect to moderate seas but in the tropics, the weather and seas can change in minutes.

Did no one mention one of the biggest advantages to tin boats; their economy? Plenty of them out there that get 6-8 nm/gal with a 4 stroke. A console boat also often has an internal tank which means no loss of room to portable outboard tanks.

Really, there are only a few disadvantages to tin boats. They usually have hard, angular interiors that are bruise-makers. They can be slap-happy in wind chop. And they tend to be loud as the sound of the waves on the hull is amplified by the hull acting as a megaphone. But none of this outweighs their significant advantages, especially on the Sea where the number of days with smooth conditions is much greater than the open ocean.

I have seen poeple out at SLC in some marginal conditions and they are astounding. But personally, I prefer to work on getting a tan on my knuckles rather than having them turn white on me.

.

Get a console boat if you can swing it.

[Edited on 9-6-2005 by Hook]

Boston?

Sharksbaja - 9-6-2005 at 11:48 AM

Darn good info Whistlert. Never ran a tin boat w/center console, although I regularly made the Catalina Channel crossing in a center console Whaler.

I loved the high flotation and handling in rough weather, but they are quite heavy and not easy to tow around and beach launch.

Sharksbaja - 9-6-2005 at 11:50 AM

Pompano........ I hate it when u do that..............now I've lost my train of thought. Thanks!! :biggrin:

Mike Supino - 9-6-2005 at 01:29 PM

Whoa!!!
I didn't know that they have Dorado in North Dakota!!!!!

Well, we will have to agree to diagree on this one

Hook - 9-6-2005 at 02:45 PM

.....but for my money, I'd rather be amidship than on the transom in almost all conditions; weather or fishing..

Hey, those beauties are REAL nice (especially the brunette!) but that's not the photo I remember.

Where's the au naturale ones????

weight distribution

Skipjack Joe - 9-6-2005 at 03:15 PM

Can't tell if you mentioned this, Hook. But another positive of the center console is that you start to plane at lower speeds resulting in an overall gas savings and greater range. When Alex decides to visit me from the front the nose goes up, we slow down, and I have to sing out to get him back up there in a hurry.

Skipjack

Hook - 9-6-2005 at 03:33 PM

Good point, Joe. Sometimes it's difficult to counterbalance the weight of the driver at the transom, especially when he is fishing solo. You can't get your hands on that much ice.

I have had to resort to carrying massive quantities of beer as well....... :yes:

Pescador - 9-6-2005 at 03:35 PM

Well, we fell of the train of thought a little but the guy was asking if he could enter the yellowtail tournament with a tin boat. I think Hooks ideas were fine, have to since I own the finest tin boat center console in all of Baja, but if you have a stern steer tin boat, and that is what you can afford, by all means go get in the tournament and who knows you might even win something. My wife had never entered a tournament in her life and decided as a fluke to enter the San Marcos shootout in May, and she came away with third place overall. I daresay that her fishing ability has just about doubled since, not to mention her confidence.
So if you only have a kayak or a leaky innertube, go learn all that you can and have a good time. And now you have enough information to go out and catch a big bunch. Buena Suerte

comitan - 9-6-2005 at 03:39 PM

Skipjack

You bring up what I think is the most important, my current boat The fish box, storage boxes and fuel tank are all in the front of the boat. This was necessary due to the weight of the 4stroke 40Hp Mec. on a 14ft boat,my seat is in the rear my wife's more forward. I have had the boat out in seas where I surfed off of every wave, throttling back every wave then full throttle at the bottom. I was lucky enough to only have to do this for 4-5 miles when we where out off it my arm had no strength. A center console probably would have worked better. But you have to work with what you have.

[Edited on 9-6-2005 by comitan]

Skipjack Joe - 9-6-2005 at 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador

At San Lucas Cove we have a guy by the name of Glen who has fished his whole life from Alaska to Mexico. I daresay that if he chose to enter the tournament in his 14ft Gregor with a 15hp Honda, he would probably kick everybodys butt.

Glen also kicks everyone's butt in horseshoes at SLC. And, if he thinks you're better, won't invite you to his horseshoe tournaments.

It's true!! I swear!! I practiced in front of his rig one day and was throwing ringers regularly while he watched. Later that day I wasn't invited (sniff, sniff) to the tournament. Glen was champ again. :fire:

Pescador - 9-6-2005 at 07:36 PM

Glenn and Gloria are not coming down this year and will certainly be missed by all. I know what skipjack means, Glenn used to come by my boat everyday to see what I caught, when I outfished him a couple of days he didn't come by till he heard I got skunked. Still, he is an inspiration, he can catch fish when no one else get's any.
They bought a house in Idaho and are going to spend this year refurbishing it. So bring your horsehoes and fishing tackle, should be a good year.

Changed My mind

Al G - 9-7-2005 at 07:36 AM

I am now looking at 16' with 40 hp.
Can anyone suggest how this might work with Motorhome, jeep and boat? Is I dreamin'
The fifty pasos to fish is nithing so as Pompano said " I'll be there come hell(12'tin) or high water(16'tin)"
Albert

bajabum - 9-7-2005 at 01:56 PM

12 footers are doable but a few more feet sure makes a difference, especially in the comfort levels. Check out the Crestliner 14 footer. Very stable, durable and roomy for a tin boat. Add a few ammenities like fishfinder, bilge pump, bait tank and rod holders and this thing is perfect for Baja. Fished in it last weekend 10 miles out at the island in Ensenada and along the cliffs and rocks at Punta Banda by the blow hole. Went everywhere the pangas went, just a little slower and with a 4 stroke it uses very little fuel. Very managable and fishable for 2 large guys. As far as the tourny goes get out there in anything that will float and have a great time....the fishin holes there are definetly accesable in a tin boat and the fish dont know or care what size your boat is!

What??????

Al G - 9-7-2005 at 06:49 PM

Always quarter to avoid spraying the skipper?
I never ride Caboose?
Seldom rocking chair?
Al

Thanks again Pompano

Al G - 9-7-2005 at 10:01 PM

I am sure glad someone is willing to put up with me!!
Since I also carry a two wheel "go for beer" scooter (40 mph max). I may leave my jeep home. Is there a reasonable way to get my boat launched if I trailer pull it to Baja? I will be stopping at several ports of call.
Al G

Diver - 9-7-2005 at 10:25 PM

Late-night suggestions:

1. Bring extra cold beer and talk someone at the ramp into it ?? :lol:

2. Bring one or two strong friends ?? :no:

3. Get a Zodiak and blow it up each time. :yawn:

4. Get a 4wd, 4-wheeler ?? Yes !! :tumble:

I have loaded my 14 footer by picking up the tongue and walking it down the not-so-steep ramps. Getting the trailer back up empty isn't too bad but you better have the extra beer for the haul-out !

When in Mulege', be sure to call Pompano
for boat loading and unloading services !!
I'm sure he'll be right there !! :lol:

Diver, You da Man!

Al G - 9-8-2005 at 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
Late-night suggestions:

1. Bring extra cold beer and talk someone at the ramp into it ?? :lol:

2. Bring one or two strong friends ?? :no:

3. Get a Zodiak and blow it up each time. :yawn:

4. Get a 4wd, 4-wheeler ?? Yes !! :tumble:

What percentage of beaches do you think, say a 500cc 4 wheeler could launch and pull out a 14-16'. I think I could put a quad on top of a modified boat trailer a lot easier then (and a hell of less weight for my motorhome to pull) putting a boat and trailer on top of my jeep on a heavy duty trailer :no:

The quad would surely cost less.
How many Pacificos to get Pompano fired up to help hand launch???? :lol:

Albert

[Edited on 9-8-2005 by Al G]

Diver - 9-8-2005 at 11:48 AM

A 4wd quad would pull a 16' tin boat up any ramp I'd go down !
If you're lauching over the beach. a set of beach wheels makes life easy !
Or a few strips of plywood for the boat wheels to roll across any soft sand.
But neither are really neccessary.

Pompano, hand launch ?? probably not enough beer in Baja !! :lol:

But he's got 4wd !

Beach wheels

Al G - 9-8-2005 at 02:00 PM

are balloon tires that you change on your trailer before launch?
Al

Frank - 9-8-2005 at 03:03 PM

Beach wheels are for launching over deep sand on the beach. I went down and got some used atv tires and rims {cheap}. Heres a pic of my beach launch trailer.

[Edited on 9-8-2005 by Frank]

Diver - 9-8-2005 at 03:52 PM

Cool set-up Frank !

Al,

You can get a set of beach wheels attached to a light-weight axil with a rope on each end. They can go under the boat alone. I got mine from a Hobbie Cat dealer. You need a buddy to use them though.

I kinda like Frank's solution if you do a lot of beach loading with a quad.

I've used them a lot with a boat we leave at the beach. The tide change is such that we need to bring the boat as much as 200' up the beach to store it.

Hook - 9-9-2005 at 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank
Beach wheels are for launching over deep sand on the beach. I went down and got some used atv tires and rims {cheap}. Heres a pic of my beach launch trailer.

[Edited on 9-8-2005 by Frank]

Frank, how do those wheels stay in place when launching, i.e., how are they attached to the boat? Or are they attached to a small sled/trailer? Where did you get the trailer?

[Edited on 9-9-2005 by Hook]

[Edited on 9-9-2005 by Hook]

Frank - 9-9-2005 at 12:26 PM

The wheels are attached to a aluminum home made trailer that breaks down and fits into the back of my truck. This year I added a wheel up front, it made it easier to pull around by hand. A Quad sure does make life easier though.
Anybody have a easier way of getting the boat up farther on the beach when the waves come up. Do I just need to get up some ramming speed? That 4 stroke on the back sure is heavy.

Skipjack Joe - 9-9-2005 at 02:20 PM

Frank,

I saw this only done once at Cabo Pulmo by a man and his wife but it sparked my interest. Maybe others have seen this technique also.

They would motor up to the beach nose first and tilt up the motor. They would pull it up the incline a bit with each large wave until it was a fair ways up. Then they pushed their boat sideways so that it was parallel to the beach. With each of the longest wave they would push the seaward gunnel downward and the boat still further up the beach, sideways. They worked as a team, she pushed from the bow and he near the stern. In the end it was practically on dry land and there was no danger of water spilling over the gunnel.

Then he got the rope, attached it to the bow and towed it over the berm with his 4WD.

Never tried it myself. But saw it done.

Skipjack

Frank - 9-9-2005 at 04:06 PM

Man that sure is a lot better then how I did it @ Verdugos in July when the wind came up. I tried to get speed up to surf it on in like a pro for the peanut gallery at the bar. I pulled the plug too early and came up short. Theres something about buying a new 4 stroke and heading it into the beach that gives you a pucker factor of 8. Anyways 2 waves over the stern, you can guess the rest.....Long walk past the bar....

Skipjack Joe - 9-9-2005 at 05:24 PM

That funny, Frank. On the other hand it's probably happened to all of us at some point in time. When those boats fill with water you're at their mercy. They get so heavy you can't budge the damn things. Meanwhile you're waiting for the next wave to come in.

You know those launch wheel we talked about on www.baja.net? Well, they're quite large and they raise the hull about a foot off the bottom. So when you touch land you're a foot higher and those small waves that slap against the transom usually pass right under or sometimes just tick the transom as they go by. You mount the wheels while you're past the surf and as you come in you hop out and start rolling before you've reached dry ground.

Skipjack

Skipjack

Al G - 9-9-2005 at 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
That funny, Frank. On the other hand it's probably happened to all of us at some point in time. When those boats fill with water you're at their mercy. They get so heavy you can't budge the damn things. Meanwhile you're waiting for the next wave to come in.

You know those launch wheel we talked about on www.baja.net? Well, they're quite large and they raise the hull about a foot off the bottom. So when you touch land you're a foot higher and those small waves that slap against the transom usually pass right under or sometimes just tick the transom as they go by. You mount the wheels while you're past the surf and as you come in you hop out and start rolling before you've reached dry ground.

Skipjack

Are these the big balloon tires that are on the back of some boats?
Could you just lower them and run your boat up on the beach?
The fisherman at Punta Lobos out of Todo Santos, beach at full throttle. I think that was what Frank was talking about?
I know I would crash and burn a couple time before learning to do that.
Albert

[Edited on 9-10-2005 by Al G]

Skipjack Joe - 9-10-2005 at 01:39 AM

You mean like this? I've haven't seen it done with a tin boat. No, you don't do this sort of thing with wheels. My bad. Didn't read it properly.