Small Boats For Tuna

[Albiemanmike]

This is my Triton Seaflight 20 CC. She is small but handles big water ver well. I have been chasin the fins' for a couple of years now out of her and she has performed as expected. I have to pick my days and keep a close watch on the weather and seas but she is very safe. I have outfitted her with everything needed for most any eventuality. Adding the radar this year was really nice and I would have never known how much it is needed until I got it. As stated by another poster I now agree it is mandatory equipment when doing the SWC/Bay tuna fishing. I really want something a little bigger, I think a 24' would be perfect for me as I could still do the inshore stuff I love but it gives me a lot more boat underneath and if it gets sporty the ride will be much less of a concern. You can do the tuna thing in a small boat but you really have to think about what you are doing and make sure everything is taken into consideration and leave nothing to chance. It is a big ocean out there and if you get in trouble help may not come soon enough.

[Captain Curt]

I got word from a friend that there is a 20-22 ft cc @ helping hands in wrentham ma,

I will try and ck it out to get more info he said 4k takes it.

[RWhite]

17' Sea Hunt w/ 125 Merc

If it gets too rough, I stay and fish inside Plymouth / Duxbury Bay. I have to pick my days - but she gets it done. Spend less on gas and buy more gear!

[Fishypantsmagoo]

DILIGAF is owned by my friend Calvin. He is one fishy MOFO very ahrdcore and very good fishermen...commercial fishes and charters.

My other good friend Nat, who is a member of the board (GetTheNet) runs a restored 23 seacraft(commercial and charter) and it is the balls.

Innovator has a 23 seacraft as well.

If you are going to by a low 20something CC do mess around with any other hull besides the Seacraft it will get you whereever you want to fish and get you home safely. Buying anything thing else is a waste of your money.

[seacoast]

Go as big as you can afford!
I had an 18 Maritime Skiff for 7 years and caught a ton of tuna out of it. Tuna are off the beach more than most people realize. However-lack of radar and a 22 gallon tank were a problem.
When I started fishing the bay on a more frequent basis-I realized that doing it out a small boat was a gamble. Sooner or later I was going to lose.
I think 23-25ft is a perfect size for inshore/near offshore boat here in the NE. I now run a pathfinder 23DV and I still consider it a small boat. I got lucky by waiting to find the right used boat-twins, radar, and 190 gallon tank.
I have seen Jesus a few times in her and the number one rule to remember in any boat-ANY PORT IN A STORM.

[Parapapam]

If you are going to by a low 20something CC do mess around with any other hull besides the Seacraft it will get you where ever you want to fish and get you home safely. Buying anything thing else is a waste of your money.

I am not so sure about that Johnny.... there is one other 23 foot CC alternative that is at least as good.

Mike

[Fishypantsmagoo]

very true mike that was my subjective fingers typing....tough to beat a seacraft ride though....Mike give me a shout sometime tomorrow or whenever you have a moment.

[tmack92]

First off buy a boat that fits your fishing needs 90% of the time! If your looking at a 20CC and are thinking of Chasing tuna a few times a year off the Cape, don't go bigger for those few times...Like I said earlier, I had the big boats and find myself catching many more fish and using my small boat more, she gets into shallow spots that hold big fish and the big boats can't get into, but do what works for you..

Just a helpful tidbit for that small boat fisherman thinking of heading to big water, weather can change as everyone knows and has probally experienced. I was fishing off CuttyHunk one October day that was sunny and 1 foot seas, it was supposed to be nice all day when a freak storm rolled through, heres a video of it and how things can go to sh1t fast, the last 15 seconds got so bad, we made a call with our numbers to a family member and told them we'd call every 15 minutes and to send the coast guard if they didn't here from us in that time frame...

Days like this I wish I had a bigger boat, but with over 180 days on the water in 3 years, this was the only time I felt uneasy and she still made it no problem...

[Captain Greg Sears]

http://www.pacificskiffs.com/comml_site_021.htm

Pacific Skiffs I see guys way out and catching big fish I know a guy who is selling one all rigged $44k I think it is bigger than 20'

[Parapapam]

....tough to beat a seacraft ride though....Mike give me a shout sometime tomorrow or whenever you have a moment.

Definately true. They are 1 and 2 in my book. Left you a message. Call me anytime this weekend.

Mike