Center Console / walk around's in the pacific

[The Notorious S.U.A]

ive done a good deal of fishing back east, and everyone uses rather large center console fishers with two high powered outboards and go as far out as 150 miles, it works well for them, and ive seen people land 1000lb+ bluefin in those boats.


how would those work out here in the san diego area? i dont see too many people using them around here. is there a reason?

[FishWiz]

Just a lifestyle and because of weather, in my opinion. Lots of Fountain type boats on the east coast. Tournaments are 'get there fast as you can' type things. When the weather comes up on the east coast, you better be able to run home fast. Out here on the west coast, we don't care about going as fast. Most boats have cabins, sleeping/galleys/etc. Weather here 99% of the time is not a dangerous issue, just little bit of an asskicking if the swells suck. We stay offshore, sleep at Cat/Clemente/Coronados, even stop off in Mexico overnight sometimes. Tourneys are less common unless inshore stuff or you go down to baja.

Just my perspective.

[ifishinxs]

Originally Posted by stand_up_angler

ive done a good deal of fishing back east, and everyone uses rather large center console fishers with two high powered outboards and go as far out as 150 miles, it works well for them, and ive seen people land 1000lb+ bluefin in those boats.


how would those work out here in the san diego area? i dont see too many people using them around here. is there a reason?

I run a 25ft Mako CC year round out of Diego..If you Hit Shelter Island launch during the summer you'll see plenty of CC's. The Florida guys have to run quite aways out to reach the fish. Hence the High HP and Speed...I just leave in the early am. Now I just need a Motor that gets decent fuel economy and then I can make the 80 mile runs no problem.

[notorious]

My father had Scarab 302 center console with twin 250's for a few years. The boat was cold and wet, but is sure hauled ass. One day I made the crossing from Newport to Avalon in just over 40min. That boat was an E ticket ride.
I now run a twin inboard diesel boat that cruise at 20kts. It may take twice as long to get somewhere, but eating a hot breakfast burrito and coffee at 6am is tops.
Hope this rain leaves so I don't go insane sitting in the house.
-Hunter

[birdman]

There are a lot center consoles running in southern california. However, the ones that run to the islands and offshore alot are usually deep V hull types with high freeboard. Most of the center consoles that I saw in the florida keys were more flats type boats with flat bottoms. Not to good in the catalina channel on your average summer afternoon. I have been running a 21 foot center console for a couple years. So far so good! Tight lines.

[?? fisherman]

Originally Posted by notorious

My father had Scarab 302 center console with twin 250's for a few years. The boat was cold and wet, but is sure hauled ass. One day I made the crossing from Newport to Avalon in just over 40min. That boat was an E ticket ride.
I now run a twin inboard diesel boat that cruise at 20kts. It may take twice as long to get somewhere, but eating a hot breakfast burrito and coffee at 6am is tops.
Hope this rain leaves so I don't go insane sitting in the house.
-Hunter

Hunter~

were those twins two strokes??

What kind of mileage were you getting??

Just how wet...... real wet??


Thanks!

The unknown fisherman :p

[notorious]

Engines: 1998 Mercury EFI Two Strokes
Mileage: Absolutely horrible, I think about 1.5 gallons per mile.
It would have to be blowing around 15kt to be getting wet, and the direction of the boat made a difference. This was very unpleasant when the water was 60 with the air about the same. Windchill.
-Hunter

[Double Z]

1.5 mpg! That sucks. Just kidding Bob.

I was VERY close to buying a Fountain. Ended up with a 2601 Stripper walkaround w/300 Cummins diesel. I've gone out diving at night and used as little as 4 gallons of fuel. Not a long run, just from Alamitos and out around the international breakwall. Did a couple laps around it, made a couple moves and went in. I used 25 gallons in my truck to get the boat to the water though. Having a cabin, even one as small as mine, is nice. Good place to store stuff, keep stuff dry, or catch a few ZZZ's. I have not overnited in it yet. That's coming soon. Come on good weather!

[THE BUTTMAN]

Originally Posted by stand_up_angler

ive done a good deal of fishing back east, and everyone uses rather large center console fishers with two high powered outboards and go as far out as 150 miles, it works well for them, and ive seen people land 1000lb+ bluefin in those boats.


how would those work out here in the san diego area? i dont see too many people using them around here. is there a reason?

If you got one you could take us all out and we could give you our opinion's with what's good or bad.

I'm first in line

[Vigilant32]

I have fished up to 120 miles out in the Pacific on Boston Whalers, covering in excess of 8000 miles of safe boating in them.

Your fuel capacity is the only limiting factor with outboard power, imho.



This boat is for sale on the board, it was mine, but is now owned by Alex in OR. Too bad for him that he has to sell it before getting a chance to enjoy it

[shinerunner]

Rory
Met you at the last hali tourney. Got a look at that vigilent 32. Thats a cool boat. Whats you mileage and range in that thing?

[the hook]

Originally Posted by birdman

... flats type boats with flat bottoms.

SeaPro2100sv flats boat. Been out 65 miles a couple of times. Sure need the foulies when the wind and chop come up.

hj