Hi All,
I have an 800 lb 15.5 ft Calibogie self bailing fiber glass runabout boat powered by a 40 HP Tohatsu that does 30 knotts and will motor doing offshore
fishing for six hours on six gallons of gas. The construction of the boat is similar to a Boston Whaler but my boat is not as bullet proof, weighs
much less, and has a bit more freeboard.
The question is whether this boat will work for baja offshore fishing for yellow tail, tuna, and dorado in the La Paz and Loreto areas? Right now the
boat has a two seater center console where the seats are low. Can't stand up and steer the boat, seats are too low. The boat would be perfect for a
lake or the Chesapeake Bay. When the swells are larger than two and a half feet high, the boat has to slow down.
I am going to change the center console to a narrower single seater where I can stand up and steer.
Will this boat work for the kind of fishing I described above in La Paz or Loreto?mulegemichael - 2-28-2010 at 12:09 PM
...yup...just keep yer eye on the weather...you'll get lots and lots of days down here where that boat will be fine...you'll also get lots and lots of
days down here where it should stay on the trailer.Pompano - 2-28-2010 at 12:22 PM
No sweato, MitchMan..you can do it with that boat/motor.
I used a 14' cartopper Lund w/20 Merc for the first couple of years down here.
Had a blast with it..until it sunk one day coming back in a storm near San Marcos...
Well, maybe think about eventually getting a bigger boat, huh?Diver - 2-28-2010 at 01:03 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
I used a 14' cartopper Lund w/20 Merc for the first couple of years down here.
Car-topping our old 14' Lund at San Roque.
sd - 2-28-2010 at 03:18 PM
MitchMan -
I had a Hobie power skiff, 15 foot with 40hp. It was a great ocean performer in Southern California. It was a wet ride and great fun factor sitting so
low in the water. Mine also had scuppers for self bailing.
Your boat was a copy of the Hobie from what I understand. Although mine would take the waves and swells easily, I would use caution going too far
offshore. A good radio, GPS, and a buddy boat would provide lots of comfort.
I also had the tiny 2 person sit down bench seat, and no bait tank. It's a small boat but I wish I still had it.
Go and enjoy!bajabass - 2-28-2010 at 03:20 PM
I fish almost the same boat, a 16 ft copy of a whaler made at Ensenada Boat Works. With a 40hp tiller Suzuki it is scarey fast. My problem is very
little freeboard at the stern, and no built in floatation. No self-bailing either. Out of La Salina, I just pick my days and watch the swells and
wind. I would feel much safer in the relative calm of the SOC. With an eye for the wind, it will give many good days.baitcast - 2-28-2010 at 04:31 PM
Many people have been using 14' boats including myself for years,fished Carmen with a 12' porta-bote just use your head and have a good time.
Robdurrelllrobert - 3-1-2010 at 11:26 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by baitcast
Many people have been using 14' boats
Yea, I had a 14 ft SeaSkate with a 100 horse Merc back in the early 60s when combo was legal. Fast as hell until I sunk it in Salton Sea805gregg - 3-1-2010 at 09:03 PM
It's like Clint Eastwood said in Dirty Harry, " A man's got to know his limitations", know the weather and your boat and you will be OK. But get a
spot personal tracker, for piece of mind.baitcast - 3-3-2010 at 06:59 AM
Spot personal tracker
RobMitchMan - 3-3-2010 at 01:07 PM
Hey, thanks for the great feedback. I feel much better now about using my boat in Baja, specifically La Paz. I have an 8 HP kicker motor that will
go permanently on the boat. I plan on always having two way marine radio, a gps, and a fish finder on board. I am going to get rid of the low and
wide center console and put a narrower and taller one in its place. If the chop is higher than 1 foot, I get really wet, but, with the warm baja
water instead of the cold California Pacific water, not a problem getting wet.
What's a "spot personal tracker"?bajabass - 3-3-2010 at 01:34 PM
A personal locator. Hit the button to get help. Satelite tracking, people can see where you are online. Sends text as well I believe.comitan - 3-3-2010 at 01:55 PM
I have a similar boat and was going to put stanchions & canvas, it really wasn't needed. You will learn when to go out and when not. If it picks
up when your out there you deal with it, the boat is not the weak point its the person driving. I wouldn't make any mod's until your here and see how
you feel. The best rule that I have is get back by noon because you don't want to come into the La Paz channel with the tide going out and the
afternoon northerlies. Unless you like surfing in on every wave.MitchMan - 3-4-2010 at 05:16 PM
I did that surfing thing once in San Quintin. Wasn't pleasant, very treacherous with the narrow ingress to the river if you don't have experience
with that channel.BajaWarrior - 3-4-2010 at 08:52 PM
It's all about the conditions...This trip started at Puertacitas for the launch, then smooth water all the the way to Isla Miramar. We figured we'd
turn around and hug shore if the wind kicked but after a full day of fishing the water was actually smoother coming home in the afternoon.
'83 Western 15' Side Console with Suzuki 40 h.p. and Kicker Mercury 4 h.p.
Backing the Western down the ramp...
Islands in the distance, great day!
Taking a break in the shade at the Island.
Head back for shore when the wind comes up otherwise have fun!Russ - 3-5-2010 at 05:27 AM
Just got this. Put the transducer & temp prob on yesterday. 14' Duroboat w/ 15hp Honda. Hope to get it wet next week. I'm a little concerned about
the tiny wheels on the trailer but that I can upgrade if needed.
[Edited on 3-5-2010 by Russ]
Bob and Susan - 3-5-2010 at 06:15 AM
russ...i have the same "tiny wheels" on our 15 foot "bay-boat"
no problems for a year but we don't take it away from the beach
you"ll see it tips up a little since the weight in in the back
i'mm thinking of putting the radio battery in the front
you need "wings" on the motor like i do to get it to "plane" faster
you won't believe the preformance differance in that size motor
and...where is the top!!!
the sun gets pretty brutal out thereRuss - 3-5-2010 at 06:37 AM
