Twin bait tanks on swim step of 25' Skipjack Fisherman

cwi.nathan · Mar-09-2006, 10:30 PM

I have a 25' Skipjack Fisherman - Walkaround Pilothouse. I want to put twin 22 gallon round Kodiak Baittanks on the swim step, with a cooler in between for a live well. I figure this will add about 400 - 500 pounds to the stern. Does anybody have any experience with this type of set up?

The boat has a Volvo/GM 350 with a Duo Prop & a 120 gal tank mid-ship.

I think this would be my optimum set up, however I dont want F-up the boat with to much weight on the swimstep.

**Saluki** · Mar-09-2006, 10:37 PM

Can you post pictures of your cockpit and stern?

firekel · Mar-09-2006, 10:59 PM

I had a 35 and a 25 gallon bait tanks on the swim step of my old 25' proline w/ a single merc225 4stroke. This boat also had trim tabs which was a must, when I adding this much wieght to the transom. I also lost, obviously some fuel mileage due to the use of the tabs and wieght. But it actually worked well and the loss of speed and fuel mileage was not that big of a deal. hope it helps

royalewitcheez · Mar-09-2006, 11:23 PM

With the skippy hull you shouldn't have too many problems, but I'd test it out with some 30 gallon drums with enough water on your sstep. I did something similar but mounted on the transom to reduce the amount of weight on the swim step.

If you do mount on the swim step, make sure its securely thru-bolted to your transom. If you need some plastic drums to use, I have a few at my shop.

Cape Horn · Mar-10-2006, 09:59 PM

Been there done that, I have the same boat. after a lot of thought, trial and error and many sea trials starring at my flo-scan, I finally came up with the best configuration for me. Three factors to concider-range, deck space and bait capacity. If you put all that weight on your ass, your fuel economy will definetley drop significantley. You will have to hammer down on the trim tabs to plane properly, creating more drag. Also the added drag of the hull. Granted, you will have more deck space. The more weight you have forward, the better your economy will be. I am guessing you already have a 42-45 gal. on the deck and still want more capacity. If so, concider this. A 65 PE will fit on your deck and have just enough clearance to open your side hatches. A 65 Offshore is a couple inches wider and won't fit. For me, range and bait capacity are more important than deck space. In my opinion, 18 or 22 gal. tanks arent large enough to to keep any amount of bait strong for vary long. When I bought my boat, it had a 42 gal on deck and 2-18's on the swim step. The 18's on the back of my boat were useless. With that configuration and a diesel, my fuel economy was 2.3-2.7 NMPG. Since then, I moved all 5 batteries as far forward as possible, put a 65 PE just behind the fish hold and a 32 Offshore behind that. The 32 is only approx. 20" tall and has a removable cushion and seconds as another seat. I also have a ice chest on the forward part of the engine hatch with removable mounts and cushion.I have about 12" between the chest and the transom to walk around. There is another ice chest forward of my port capt. chair that also acts as another seat for my 2nd hoe inside the pilot house. May seem like a lot of shit on the deck, but there is enough room to get around everything comfertably, I have ample seating, my bait capacity is 97 gal. and my economy know is 2.7-3.1 NMPG. If you decide to add weight to your deck concider adding extra supports under deck. Good luck

jstcrzyengh · Mar-11-2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Horn

Been there done that, I have the same boat. after a lot of thought, trial and error and many sea trials starring at my flo-scan, I finally came up with the best configuration for me. Three factors to concider-range, deck space and bait capacity. If you put all that weight on your ass, your fuel economy will definetley drop significantley. You will have to hammer down on the trim tabs to plane properly, creating more drag. Also the added drag of the hull. Granted, you will have more deck space. The more weight you have forward, the better your economy will be. I am guessing you already have a 42-45 gal. on the deck and still want more capacity. If so, concider this. A 65 PE will fit on your deck and have just enough clearance to open your side hatches. A 65 Offshore is a couple inches wider and won't fit. For me, range and bait capacity are more important than deck space. In my opinion, 18 or 22 gal. tanks arent large enough to to keep any amount of bait strong for vary long. When I bought my boat, it had a 42 gal on deck and 2-18's on the swim step. The 18's on the back of my boat were useless. With that configuration and a diesel, my fuel economy was 2.3-2.7 NMPG. Since then, I moved all 5 batteries as far forward as possible, put a 65 PE just behind the fish hold and a 32 Offshore behind that. The 32 is only approx. 20" tall and has a removable cushion and seconds as another seat. I also have a ice chest on the forward part of the engine hatch with removable mounts and cushion.I have about 12" between the chest and the transom to walk around. There is another ice chest forward of my port capt. chair that also acts as another seat for my 2nd hoe inside the pilot house. May seem like a lot of shit on the deck, but there is enough room to get around everything comfertably, I have ample seating, my bait capacity is 97 gal. and my economy know is 2.7-3.1 NMPG. If you decide to add weight to your deck concider adding extra supports under deck. Good luck

Eric what diesel and what HP is it running? Bravo or DP drive?

Cape Horn · Mar-11-2006, 10:23 AM

Yanmar 240 hp. Volvo dp w/178 gears. Not a common combo, but it's doable with the right intermediate housing.

jstcrzyengh · Mar-11-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Horn

Yanmar 240 hp. Volvo dp w/178 gears. Not a common combo, but it's doable with the right intermediate housing.

That's actually the combo I was looking at for my 21, but was told the Bravo II X drive (diesel) would be the only way to go. What housing did you go with?

(Sorry for the threadjack, but I am wondering the same things as far as weight)

Dos Locos · Mar-11-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saluki

Can you post pictures of your cock?

Jesus Brandon, I know the Illini are sucking this year, but fuck dude....

Double Z · Mar-11-2006, 02:50 PM

Nice Cut.

cwi.nathan · Mar-11-2006, 04:31 PM

I want about 30 gal min, maybe 40gal.

Usually I make bait at the islands- small macks & squid when I can.

Next best option 4 me is probably a bait tank on the deck, with a seat/leaning post on it.

Why so much bait capacity, 97 gals?

Sounds like enough for the fleet!

Thanks for the info on your boat.

Cape Horn · Mar-11-2006, 07:16 PM

James - The company that makes the housing is in Italy and are just about impossible to deal with directly. Kozwell Boatworks in Santa Ana can get them and are a certified Yanmar/Volvo dealer.

Nathan - Why 97 gal. When brailing bait offshore or on multi day trips, you can never have enough bait. If your only fishing the Islands and inshore a 45 work's great. I wouldn't go smaller. Sooner or later you will be upgrading if you dont. Concider the tank on deck with your ice chest in front or behind with a cushion on it. Your boat will get much better economy. If at all possible, keep the weight off the your ass!