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fishing boat

dirtbikr - 3-23-2012 at 10:22 AM

Just trying to figure out which boat to buy for a trip south, I have a nissan titan, pulling a 23' camper toy hauler, the type that the back end opens for a large ramp, allready pretty much full with quads, motorcycle, Im thinking a zodiak type that I could deflate and then inflate with a compressor, has any one fished out of these type boats?

Cisco - 3-23-2012 at 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dirtbikr
Just trying to figure out which boat to buy for a trip south, I have a nissan titan, pulling a 23' camper toy hauler, the type that the back end opens for a large ramp, allready pretty much full with quads, motorcycle, Im thinking a zodiak type that I could deflate and then inflate with a compressor, has any one fished out of these type boats?

Check out the Porta-Bote. Versatile.

http://porta-bote.com/

Martyman - 3-23-2012 at 11:42 AM

Inflatables are great. Tough to get a decent rod holder on them though (besides attaching them to the transom. They can handle some wind and seas.

small boat

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 11:50 AM

HOLA,I would sugeest you take a livingston boat for a ride before you buy anything !!!! K&T :cool:

gnukid - 3-23-2012 at 11:58 AM

I ran inflatables for quite a while, zodiac mkII with 15hp, and huge launch wheels. The weight of the boat with inflatable bottom is about 110lbs and a 15hp motor is manageable at about 60-70lbs. I put rod holders on the stern and usually ran with three rods. I also tried the aluminum floor which adds stabiltiy and weight.

The problem is that baja is harsh, if you ever catch a real fish it can and will damage the boat, also rocks and just about anything can destroy the boat too. In the end the boats fell apart very quickly, due to use. The shore is often steep and occasionally rocky. Imagine if you catch a marlin, wahoo, huge tuna, needlefish, baracuda?

In the end, I think an aluminum boat stored on the roof of your trailer or other simple but strong boat is best for Baja due to the harshness of the environment, and I would avoid buying new stuff since the costs are in the 5-8k range while a good used boat with motor that functions could cost 2k.

They have loader systems with cables and a rack that load the boat on the roof.

Compare the cost to hiring a captain and panga for periodic fishing!

[Edited on 3-23-2012 by gnukid]

SFandH - 3-23-2012 at 12:07 PM

Cartop boat loaders:

http://boatloader.com/boatloader.html

I've watched these work, very cool.

woody with a view - 3-23-2012 at 12:31 PM

a friend has a 12 Avon inflatable sitting doing nothing. it comes with patch kit, pump, oars, and maybe some vests. make him/me an offer and you'll be dialed in.

note: rod holder and motor not included!

100_3821.jpg - 44kB

do I have to repeat myself???

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 12:33 PM

woody with a view - 3-23-2012 at 12:50 PM

no. :lol:

thanks woody

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 01:27 PM

HOLA, btw I have driven just about anything that floats and hand's down a smaller livingston boat, beach loads easy,,cathes fish, great for diving and racing in the 25kt northern when bigger boat's are pounding !! also a VERY soft,dry ride..I dont sell um but every single guy that has been on one of mine (5) swear's that when they get home they are selling their boston,gregor,lund, whatever and getting one of these.. the only problem I have found is almost,, all dealer's dont know how to set them up correctly..remember that they are a small caterman...stable,dry, fast,soft and nimble.....I take a 14 out to the weather bouy 25 n.miles from santa cruz ca and troll for albie's and weather is of no concern !!!!!!!!!!! K&T :cool:

comitan - 3-23-2012 at 01:38 PM

You haven't said anything about the weight? Yes that's important for hauling and moving around.

comitan

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 01:41 PM

hola, well different sizes have different weight's,, the 14ft I think is around 120 lbs dry and keep in mind that a 14 cat is big and a 15.5 is relly HUGE !! K&T

comitan - 3-23-2012 at 01:46 PM

captkw

Sorry but their site has the `14 at 315# hull only.

baja beach boat

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 01:48 PM

comitan,,, I stand corrected,, the 14 weigh's 315lbs but, me and the wife had no problem loading and unloading on beach's in baja with a 1982 volvo 240 sedan and had to feed the dogs dorado cause we ran out ice so many times and out on the island's the ice guy never showed up on time :lol:

K&T

Cypress - 3-23-2012 at 01:48 PM

Don't bother to haul any kind of boat down to the Sea of Cortez unless? And that's a big unless? Do you have a taste for trigger fish? :biggrin:

cypress

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 01:54 PM

HOLA, ya fishing has really gone to hell fast !! but right now is a yellow tail bite from cabo pumo to la fortuna (east cape) which is way south for them but that's how cold the sea is up north !! a nfirst for me.. all the winters that I have been down here its atun,dorado,pargo,marlen aka peligac's are the trolling fish but they headed south for warmer water this winter and HOPEFULLY,might return (please) hopefully thinking.. K&T.. :cool:

.........OUT

comitan

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 01:57 PM

HOLA, I would swear that the three that I owned weighed less than that with a motor but with a trailer rigged correctly weight was not a issue.......K&T. :cool:

desertcpl - 3-23-2012 at 02:03 PM

triggers are good eating, just a little hard to clean and filet

but thats not at all you catch

Cypress - 3-23-2012 at 02:06 PM

desertcpl, That's a fact.

triggers

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 02:11 PM

good eating and one of the best fighter's lb for lb !! and you can make a pair of boot's outof the skin !! taste sorta like lobster and great cerviche !! K&T :cool:

rts551 - 3-23-2012 at 02:14 PM

for what you want to do, get a good (and the right) aluminum boat,and haul it on top of your trailer. Inflatables are good but can be damaged by thrashing fish.

a good welded seam boat, like a Gregor Baja/ Alaskan model or a duroboat (thats NOT Duraboat) and a boat loader is an excellent setup.

OH MY !! sigh !!

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 02:19 PM

Russ - 3-23-2012 at 02:19 PM

Another2¢
My old 8' Livingston was way too heavy for it's size and rowed like a tug boat. The 15 !/2' Warrior was a dream boat once in the water with a 90 horse. I have a DuraBoat bow with a 15 and it's light and goes 20mph with the 15.

russ

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 02:22 PM

the older ones were slugs and the warrior was twice as heavy as the newer ones and if set up right untouchable in rough sea's...K&T :cool:

rts551 - 3-23-2012 at 02:23 PM

And just how is this person supposed to get your Livingston down to Baja?

MY LIVINGSTON ??

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 02:26 PM

on the top !! K&T

msteve1014 - 3-23-2012 at 03:16 PM

We started with a zodiac and I was always terrified that I would stick the gaff through it. An eight inch calico I was trying to release ended up being the first thing to poke a hole in it. We have had a 12 foot Duroboat for 7 years now, and it's great. We car topped it on a pop up camper with no special rig.

woody with a view - 3-23-2012 at 03:47 PM

realistically, if you need to gaff something i would not want a blow up boat. if that is the primary focus (offshore runs and BIG fish) then get a rigid hull. however, if you like the portability of an inflatable and just want to run a couple of miles to the kelp or inner islands then i don't see a problem.

just be sure you keep the gaff corked! :light:

baja boat

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 03:55 PM

HOLA, I have always called them a deflatable..why,,it's not if they will lose air,but when !! and are lousy in any sea other than rather calm or light wind chop,,but, they do serve a purpose NO ? but not for a fish,cruise,SAR boat..good if you have a wetsuit already on...K&T :cool:

Alan - 3-23-2012 at 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Don't bother to haul any kind of boat down to the Sea of Cortez unless? And that's a big unless? Do you have a taste for trigger fish? :biggrin:

I know exactly what you mean. Here is one of the 4 Triggerfish I caught out of Muertos last week :lol:

alan

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 04:20 PM

HOLA< been a good Y.T. bite around their..for a week or so,,hope it stay on..."thight lines" K&T

woody with a view - 3-23-2012 at 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Don't bother to haul any kind of boat down to the Sea of Cortez unless? And that's a big unless? Do you have a taste for trigger fish? :biggrin:

I know exactly what you mean. Here is one of the 4 Triggerfish I caught out of Muertos last week :lol:

never caught a trigger! can't wait!!!! :lol:

msteve1014 - 3-23-2012 at 04:24 PM

Bring a gaff, those are big triggers.

Barry A. - 3-23-2012 at 04:24 PM

Personally, I go with a 14' GREGOR (or similar) with a 15 hp outboard if only 1 or 2 people. More people, go with a 25hp motor. I carry it on top of my camper (a Callen) with the motor under it in a special built box to protect it.

It is hard to beat a "tin boat" in Baja for shore fishing, and you can take them anywhere if you have the nerve and some skill. I can load my own boat without a "boat loader", but it is easier with 2 or 3 people. I now have a "boat loader" but I normally don't even bother to use it, and just man-handle the boat up there and tie it down good.

barry

anywhere ??

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 04:30 PM

HOLA, ummm ? let's just say a beer can ,does serve it's own purpose.... K&T

Barry A. - 3-23-2012 at 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
HOLA, ummm ? let's just say a beer can ,does serve it's own purpose.... K&T

--------I never flipped once, but came close lots of times!!! I have been a long way out in BIG BLOWS in my Gregor-----you just grit your teeth, pay attention, and go for it after opening your beer. The secret is modulating your speed to the conditions, and work with the waves, and pray a lot.

Also, I had lots of gear and floor boards, and stuff in my Gregor so it was heavy. When it got bad I moved the heavy stuff (gas tanks) up front to stableize things.

Barry

[Edited on 3-23-2012 by Barry A.]

Cypress - 3-23-2012 at 05:37 PM

Nothing wrong with triggerfish. Not bad eating. But, I'm not gonna travel a couple thousand miles to catch a mess of 'em. :yes:

BARRY

captkw - 3-23-2012 at 05:43 PM

Been their,done that..but not anymore..I myself have to have a boat that can do it all and must be great at SAR in the baddest sea's you would never want to be in... but,, that's just myself !! Tight lines and alway's be safe..because someone has to be and it's not me..LOL :lol:

K&T

Islandbuilder - 3-23-2012 at 07:42 PM

I would never recommend a deflatable (that's what I call 'em too, Cap!) for fishing, there are more dangers to the bladders than just gaffs. Hooks, Fish spines and bait knives are also a concern.

In this case, a boat light enough to put on top of the toy hauler trailer and to carry to the water, I would suggest a 12-14' tin boat. I have scared the daylights out of myself with a 20hp motor on a 14' Duroboat. I was convinced it really, really wanted to be upside down!

A small motor, say 10hp, will get you where you want to go within reason, be light enough to haul and mount on the beach, and won't get you going so fast that the boat gets loose.

Someone above suggested hiring a local panga for occasional fishing trips. If you are new to fishing, and the areas you'll visit, it may be the cheapest and wisest way to go on this trip. You're looking at spending at least a grand for a boat and motor, several times that is more likely. That gets you a lot of panga time. Remember, the panga skipper knows the area, and what is biting on what. A good investment, IMHO.

woody with a view - 3-23-2012 at 08:04 PM

just talked to my buddy. $500 OBO.

[Edited on 3-26-2012 by woody with a view]

baitcast - 3-24-2012 at 08:52 AM

Having owned several small boats,12' porta-bote,12' tin two 14' Crestliners,15' Crestliner and a 16'Ryan and my baby 30' Egg Harbor.

Having said that :lol:

it all depends on what is important to you,do you want to just poke around in very close,venture out a little farther chasing the bigger boys or make a run across the pond.

The Porta-Bote only weighed 75# had a 14' that only weighed 118# which I could carried on top of my shell and could handle by myself,

From the looks of things the bikes and riding seem more important to you and not knowing how much you are wanting to spend .

A couple of thought s more you can,t stand up on the Porta-bote and work a nice fish the bottom flexes and you will lose your balance in no time,not good,the 12' tin is tough enough.

Don,t know a damn thing about a inflatable,everything in the gulf is toothy,caught very small sharks with the biggest mouth with the sharpest teeth will you get the idea. :lol:

Rob...........Good luck on whatever you decide on.

chuckie - 3-24-2012 at 09:37 AM

If its along term boat with a lot of salt water use, be careful of Aluminum. I have owned 3 gregors, one on purpose the other 2 as emergency replacements, all I could find in Mulege, used. All 3 were total junk due to electrolysis in a fairly short period....I put a lot of water time on em, they dont make it...

SFandH - 3-24-2012 at 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
If its along term boat with a lot of salt water use, be careful of Aluminum. I have owned 3 gregors, one on purpose the other 2 as emergency replacements, all I could find in Mulege, used. All 3 were total junk due to electrolysis in a fairly short period....I put a lot of water time on em, they dont make it...

You need an electrical current for electrolysis to occur. The current can be caused by dissimiliar metals in contact with each other by electrical circuits on the boat. I think putting some wood or hard rubber between the boat and the motor mounts and disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery when not in use would fix the electrolysis problem. I'm not sure though.

I have a 14 foot aluminum boat that I keep in saltwater for months at a time and haven't noticed any electrolysis problems and I don't disconnect the battery. But it's just used for starting the motor. I don't have any lights or other electronics on the boat.

baja boat

captkw - 3-24-2012 at 10:47 AM

HOLA, a boat underway makes stray electrical current and dislimaler metel's (nobel) worsen the effect (problem) a little zinc or magnisiem may help !!! K&T marine electrical specialist. :cool:

Cypress - 3-24-2012 at 10:56 AM

Yep, you can mount zinc/magnesium plates on an aluminum hull or the metal components of a wooden or fiberglass hull.

chuckie - 3-24-2012 at 07:01 PM

Tried all that, per instructions from Gregor..Still turned to junk...

Barry A. - 3-24-2012 at 07:17 PM

My Gregor 14 is 36 years old, and has spent most of it's time in Salt Water, tho not just sitting there with no use. Never had any electrolysis problems, and not even any pitting (well, maybe a little). But, I did not have a battery involved----always hand started my motor.

Barry

chuckie

captkw - 3-25-2012 at 08:10 AM

a old time saying "you can only polish a turd soo much" :lol:

...K&T...

redhilltown - 3-25-2012 at 11:25 PM

Whatever boat you choose it is not a bad idea (if you can time it) to go out at the lowest tide to get a lay of the "land" (yeah I know...if a beach launch a few of you are groaning as am I!). As mentioned there are sharp rocks and points you won't see at high tide....until... and let's face it whatever boat you take for the most part you'll be close to shore for safety reasons and that is where the majority of fish are. The horrors of swerving to avoid one of these and spilling a full can of Tecate is not to be dismissed lightly! Have fun.

redhill

captkw - 3-26-2012 at 08:02 AM

HOLA, and good advice,,in the us, we call um "wash rock's" and as alway's the most danger is close to shore..not open ocean/sea.....K&T.......OUT

weight is not an issue with one of these:

durrelllrobert - 3-26-2012 at 08:19 AM

Islandbuilder - 3-26-2012 at 09:30 AM

I think that we may be confusing electrolysis and corrosion. Electrolysis is the molecular errosion that occurs in disimilar metals when an electrical current is present. Since sea water is a conductor, and aluminum is pretty low on the galvanic scale, unprotected aluminum in the ocean can be a concern.

A sacrifical zinc, which is a metal lower on the galvanic scale than aluminum, can help prevent problems provided it is correctly installed. Most outboard motors have their own zincs, which should be replaced regularly.

Corrosion is a different duck. No electrical current is needed for it to occur. Different alloys (blends) of aluminum have different susceptabilities to corrosion, which is why some poorer quality aluminum boats have big problems.

There are pluses and minuses to all boats and all materials, but for the specific use outlined in the beginning of this thread, I think that a 14' tinny with a 9.9 motor is the best solution. Unless you find a friend who will loan you a boat for the trip. Then THAT is the very best boat ever!!

aluminum

wsdunc - 3-26-2012 at 09:36 AM

My boat is a 15' gregor baja special, 15 hp Suzuki. I carried it on top of my truck, launched it across the beach by rolling it on boat fenders, and in a pinch you could row it. Homemade wooden floorboards made it more comofrtable to sih in. I did have an inbflatable for a while, but never got comfortable in it.
I used to be able to launch it across the beach with just my wife and I, but it was kind of a bear, especially when loaded with motor, fuel, water, tackle,oars, cooler, anchor, flare it etc. 3 people could manhandle it full with no problem.
Launching with boat fenders worked well, 3 fenders would do it, as one slid out the back you ran it up to the front. Kind of hard on fenders, buy West Marine lifetime guaranteed ones. Left the fenders on the beach, never had any stolen, although some got blown around. But those were gentler times.
Felt very comfortable in the boat, running as far as 10 miles offshore. Handled rough seas OK when we were caught by the wind. Always like the idea that if the motor broke I could row.
Caught Marlin, sailfish, yellowfiun tuna, skipjack, Dorado, wahoo, pargo, yellowtail, cabrilla from it. And triggerfish :-)