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Bay-dog
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Posted: Thu Apr 17th, 2008 07:47 pm |
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Greatings!
After reading most of the threads, I understand that the SOC is no place to get caught in a 19 foot boat. However, a 19 foot Bay Boat is what I have. Is there no safe harbor or bay that I can explore / fish in the San Carlos area??
Thanks-
-Ed
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Hook
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Posted: Thu Apr 17th, 2008 10:24 pm |
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Bay-dog wrote: Greatings!
After reading most of the threads, I understand that the SOC is no place to get caught in a 19 foot boat. However, a 19 foot Bay Boat is what I have. Is there no safe harbor or bay that I can explore / fish in the San Carlos area??
Thanks-
-Ed
What's your deadrise at the transom? How much freeboard along the rails? How high is your bow? And how fast can you go in small chop to outrun a wind?
Sure there are places you can have fun. You can launch out of Marina Real and have a great time north of there along the beaches. Fishing wont be great but you'lll have a good time. And even in winter, the prevailing winds will be at your back on the return so you can run upwind until it gets too rough and then come back with the wind.
If you stay within 1-3 miles of the marina entrances and within 1-2 miles of shore, you should be able to beat it to the lee of something (or even back to the harbors) before it gets real bad. Important to keep a sharp weather eye out and run with the first sign of real nastiness.
Carry a manual pump and make sure you have a high capacity bilge pump and,of course, all the necessary safety items.
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Bay-dog
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 12:38 am |
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Thank you for your response!!
Deadrise is 14 degrees
Cockpit depth is 25"
This is my boat http://www.triumphboats.com/modelvideos.cfm?modelfile=190BAY&modelname=190 BAY
I don't want to get to San Carlos and find out I'm over my head, but if staying within 1-2 miles of one of the marina's or even hanging out in Bahia San Francisco is an option I think it would be great!
If my boat is too small for this, I would rather play it safe and stay on the lakes here in Arizona.
Thanks for the help.
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Hook
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 12:56 am |
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You can go alot farther than I recommended in that boat.
Really the key is to determine where the prevailing wind is expected to come from each day and head in that direction EARLY in the day so that it is on your stern for the ride back. This is the strategy for a LONG DISTANCE BOATING DAY. Of course, the fish may not be in that direction that day but safe boating should be your priority.
With that bow, you will pound badly in chop IF you go too fast. Learn what the most comfortable speed for your boat is in chop and EVERYONE on the boat has a good time. If there are fairly large following seas, learn what speed prevents a wave from coming over your transom.
And if you get down there and there is a snotty day, I suggest launching from Marina Real and get a feel for how your boat handles the snot. Vary your direction, vary your speed, get used to turning and traveling in all directions to see how your boat does. It's a quick run back into the lee in that area. Always best to find our how your boat acts in heavy seas BEFORE you are a good distance from shore. Learn how to distribute weight in the boat in different conditions.
ALWAYS TEST YOUR BILGE PUMP BEFORE YOU GO OUT.
ALWAYS GIVE A RADIO CHECK BEFORE YOU GO OUT.
If it's the warmer seasons, there will be other boats out there. If conditions are iffy, just stay within visual sight of others. Most all the boaters I've met in SC WILL come to your aid if you can signal them.
Oh, and carry a good sea anchor like a danforth or a claw and have a minimum of 20 feet of chain and maybe another 125 feet of rode. Quite a bit of sand bottom around SC proper so IF your engine dies, you can stick the hook in the sand rather than sticking the boat on the shore.
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bartmanaz
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 01:33 pm |
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Concur with Hook and he has given you some good advice. No reason you can't come to SC and enjoy your boat and the area. You may even hit one of those days when the sea is like glass! Lots of neat little bays and coves north of Marina Real that you can get into that might be problematic in something bigger.
Bart
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tontotom
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 02:41 pm |
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I'm no seasoned veteran here but. That said I come down twice a year and have a blast in a wellcraft bowrider. It's 21' long but it's not designed for the ocean, it's a lake boat. We watch the weather/wind carefully and catch plenty of small dorado, sierra, skip jack and other species.
Last October during our 7 day trip there was only 1 day we couldn't go out. We stayed 6 miles out from the marina (gps) and caught plenty of dorado to 15 pounds, skip jack of the same size and sierra 35-40" long. When the wind came up we moved in closer. Our backup plan was to fish for triggers and bottom fish in protected coves if the wind blew us off.
We watched the bigger boats run out and bring back 40 pound dorado and flying marlin flags but they were out 18-30 miles- way too far for us. I guess the reality is small boat=small fish but we were trolling with 20 pound outfits and we enjoyed ourselves.
This year we plan of spending a day with a charter boat going for the bigger fish further out and spending the rest of the time in our bayhopper boat catching small fish until our arms give out.
Tontotom
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PescadorJim
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 03:04 pm |
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I don't know where the 30 foot idea came from on boats in the San Carlos area, but it has taken on a life of its own. My parents had a house in San Carlos and we started coming down there in the early 60's. A lot of people fished San Pedro Island in 14 foot cartoppers but surely picked the days that they felt safe going out there. The wind normally comes from the north and if a little wind blew up it was basically a downhill ride back to the marina or the beach launching area at the campground. When Dad and I brought down a 23 ft. Uniflite, it was considered a pretty large boat and they made several trip across to Tortuga. That was followed up by a center console panga which was probably 22 foot which we thought was a real "sea-tamer", but there were mornings when I would leave the marina and get part way to the island and knew that it was foolhardy to continue and not turn around.
I have fished out of a boat just like yours on the baja side and it is a great boat for the Sea of Cortez, but you need to be diligent and learn to read the water and watch the weather.
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Inde
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 03:17 pm |
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| I would add one comment to the above excellent advice. Experiment with your engine trim in lumpy conditions. All boats are a little different but generaly bow down in a head sea so the bow cuts into the chop ( maybe a little wetter) and bow up when down wind so you do not stuff the bow into the next wave. Best of luck.
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FLYNHI
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 04:12 pm |
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I HAVE A 23' TROPHY WE HAVE BEEN TO TORTUGA AND UP TO TIBURON AND BACK AND BEEN COUGHT IN SOME BAD SEAS. IF YOU KEEP YOUR COOL AND PAY CLOSE ATENTION AND KEEP THE WAVES FROM CRASHING OVER THE BACK OF YOU, YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT. BACK IN 70,S MY PARENTS HADE A 18' DEEP VEE WE FISHED ALL OVER IN SAN CARLOS BEEN IN SOME REALY BAD WATERS AND A COUPLE OF TIMES WE DID HAVE A WAVE COME OVER THE BACK FILLING THE BOAT WITH WATER AND STALLING THE MOTOR SCARRY THING WHEN YOUR BOBBING AROUND TRYING TO DRY OUT THE DISTRIBUTOR AND GETTING THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN, THATS ONE REASON I LIKE HAVING A OUTBOARD.
THE BOAT YOU HAVE LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD BOAT I THINK YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT AS LONG AS YOU STAY IN CLOSE, I WOULD NOT WANT TO GET COUGHT IN ROUGH WATER IN IT, IT WOULD BE A WET AND ROUGH RIDE.
TOM
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Hook
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 04:44 pm |
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Jim, one thing I have noticed in the SC area compared to Baja is that it's definitely more difficult to avoid prevailing winds over here. Fewer islands and the ones that are here are either real close to shore and/or dont have easy anchorage to wait out a blow. SPN is pretty steep all around. And in the prevailing north winds, most coves along the mainland offer marginal protection as the wind is blowing right into many of them. There is protection but for fewer boats. And windwaves have a chance to really build from the north as there is no peninsula to mitigate their buildup.
All this combines to create conditions that are tougher on the <19 foot crowd, IMO, than in Baja, especially SLC.
But you are right, 30 foot is not necessary. I think the fact that it is so much easier a tow is the reason you see larger trailerable boats over here.
These two marinas dont hurt, either................
To the original poster, learn to pick your days to launch and learn to read conditions and there is no reason you cant have a great time in SC AND catch fish.
Inde made a great point about your trim angle. Learn what's best in ALL conditions.
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dflybldr
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 04:49 pm |
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As you can see there are many different things to do in SC with many different sized boats. I think my best advice is to introduce yourself to folks at the marina, ask questions about the fishing, weather, ... and hire a local as a guide/first mate/captain. You don't have to speak spanish to know the look in there eyes that says "let's get the *&%^ out of here, NOW!" It takes a lifetime to really know a place like SC, so take it slow and have fun. As a pilot and boat driver, I always go with my gut feeling that if I am thinking about turning around and heading in, it's probably already past the time when you should have, so don't think any more and do it. It very rarely gets any better, only worse.
Stay safe, and have fun.
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Hook
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 04:49 pm |
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FLYNHI wrote: I HAVE A 23' TROPHY WE HAVE BEEN TO TORTUGA AND UP TO TIBURON AND BACK AND BEEN COUGHT IN SOME BAD SEAS. IF YOU KEEP YOUR COOL AND PAY CLOSE ATENTION AND KEEP THE WAVES FROM CRASHING OVER THE BACK OF YOU, YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT. BACK IN 70,S MY PARENTS HADE A 18' DEEP VEE WE FISHED ALL OVER IN SAN CARLOS BEEN IN SOME REALY BAD WATERS AND A COUPLE OF TIMES WE DID HAVE A WAVE COME OVER THE BACK FILLING THE BOAT WITH WATER AND STALLING THE MOTOR SCARRY THING WHEN YOUR BOBBING AROUND TRYING TO DRY OUT THE DISTRIBUTOR AND GETTING THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN, THATS ONE REASON I LIKE HAVING A OUTBOARD.
THE BOAT YOU HAVE LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD BOAT I THINK YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT AS LONG AS YOU STAY IN CLOSE, I WOULD NOT WANT TO GET COUGHT IN ROUGH WATER IN IT, IT WOULD BE A WET AND ROUGH RIDE.
TOM
Your post reminds me of an absolutely ESSENTIAL safety device that many boats dont carry...........a sea anchor. If your engine stalls and your boat has a tendency to drift in seas sideways or stern into the wind, you may not be able to avoid waves coming over the transom or rails. But a sea anchor deployed will keep your bow into the wind which is where the waves are usually coming from in the S of C.
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Bay-dog
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 06:31 pm |
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Thank you all!
I am so please that we will be able to plan a trip to San Carlos. I think what makes sence, after reading all your advice, is to come down several times and just get comfortable operating the boat. Then, once I feel more comfortable, start to concentrate on fishing.
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Inde
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 06:56 pm |
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Bay-dog wrote: Thank you all!
I am so please that we will be able to plan a trip to San Carlos. I think what makes sence, after reading all your advice, is to come down several times and just get comfortable operating the boat. Then, once I feel more comfortable, start to concentrate on fishing.
I think that is a wise decision. BTW you need to purchase Gerry Cunningham's book on crusing SC coast. You can buy it on line or they used to have it at the SC Marina.
It will be the best money you ever spent, about $25.00
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Bay-dog
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 07:07 pm |
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That's great. I just bought Gerry Cunningham's book on crusing the Sea of Cortez as well as his book Trailer boating the Sea of Cortez.
Could you advise on other books regarding "reading the Sea and Wind?"
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Inde
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 07:22 pm |
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| Gerry does a specific book on the SC area. I am sure there are books on "reading sea etc" but none comes to mind. Try doing a google search on "driving a powerboat"
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No Sniveling
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 07:40 pm |
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Bay-dog wrote: Thank you all!
I am so please that we will be able to plan a trip to San Carlos. I think what makes sence, after reading all your advice, is to come down several times and just get comfortable operating the boat. Then, once I feel more comfortable, start to concentrate on fishing.
One point not mentioned is to hire a local "capitan" to run the boat and guide you, especially the first trip or two. Talk to the guys at Catch 22 or JonJen at the marina and they can help you find someone. I always hire someone if I am headed offshore alone, and $50 buys you a lot of learning, help in and out, and a clean boat when you're done. You might even have some fish to clean on your first trip!
 Craig
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AcuDoc
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 10:34 pm |
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I agree with both Hook and Pescador. The key is to pay attention to the prevailing conditions. I have a 16.5 Klamath center console 50hp tin boat and fish SC. Although as Hook stated it is usually easier for the reason he stated on the Baja side of the SOC. Still I do fine out of SC. You just have to pick and choose your days a bit more carefully.
In November I was 30 miles out chasing tuna with the rest of them. I of course headed out early and back a bit earlier as I know the wind comes up in the afternoon.
Both Hook and Pescador have fished my boat many times. In fact I bought it from Pescador a few years back. He fished it many times over the year going Tiburon (from the Baja side).
If you are going to spend a lot of time fishing in SC I'd like to have a 21 - 23 foot, but a 19 footer is fine, again just pay attention.
After years in the outdoors backpacking in the mountains by myself, fishing the SOC etc. my mom gets a little concerned. I would assure her you just have to pay attention to the rules and don't break them.
There is only one rule in nature...if you screw up you die....don't break the rule!
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Hook
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 10:40 pm |
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AcuDoc wrote: I agree with both Hook and Pescador. The key is to pay attention to the prevailing conditions. I have a 16.5 Klamath center console 50hp tin boat and fish SC. Although as Hook stated it is usually easier for the reason he stated on the Baja side of the SOC. Still I do fine out of SC. You just have to pick and choose your days a bit more carefully.
In November I was 30 miles out chasing tuna with the rest of them. I of course headed out early and back a bit earlier as I know the wind comes up in the afternoon.
Both Hook and Pescador have fished my boat many times. In fact I bought it from Pescador a few years back. He fished it many times over the year going Tiburon (from the Baja side).
If you are going to spend a lot of time fishing in SC I'd like to have a 21 - 23 foot, but a 19 footer is fine, again just pay attention.
After years in the outdoors backpacking in the mountains by myself, fishing the SOC etc. my mom gets a little concerned. I would assure her you just have to pay attention to the rules and don't break them.
There is only one rule in nature...if you screw up you die....don't break the rule! I think you mean Tortuga, Doc.
If it was Tiburon from SLC, I'd like to hear that story from Jim.
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AcuDoc
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 11:56 pm |
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| Yes it was Tortuga
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