NJ Fishing Advertise Here at New Jersey's Number 1 Fishing Website!


Message Board


Upgrading to a better Boat - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey


Message Board Registration       FAQ

Go Back   NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey > NJFishing.com Boating
FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

NJFishing.com Boating Use this board to discuss anything related to boats and boating in NJ

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-07-2016, 06:51 AM
tkhoff tkhoff is offline
NJFishing.com Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 5
Default Upgrading to a better Boat

So I am taking a 1991 35' Mainship out for a test run today and was curious about its ability to leave the bay. Is there any reason I would not be able to make the trip out to the mud hole with this boat? (assuming all safety equipment etc.. is on board)

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-07-2016, 07:46 AM
Gerry Zagorski's Avatar
Gerry Zagorski Gerry Zagorski is offline
Owner NJFishing.com
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Edison, NJ
Posts: 11,036
Default Re: Upgrading to a better Boat

Mainships would not be on my short list of boats for fishing. They are designed and laid out for leisure cruising. Lots of room in the salon area but a little short when it comes to cockpit fishing space... But hey, if you like the lay out and it suits other needs then whatever works best for you.

As far as going out of the bay, as with any boat of this size, as long as the hull and the mechanics are sound you should have no worries making a trip to the mudhole. Like any of us, you need to pick your days.

I assume your intention is to fish the area and most people troll....

Trolling might be a bit of challenge because in order to do it right, you are going to want to troll at least 7 lines. So, you are going to need at least that many pole holders in the cockpit area that are strategically placed in the gunnels to make it conducive to pulling a trolling spread. You also need a good bit of room to work your poles and lines in the cockpit area as well as landing fish. If it's tight, here is where the lack of cockpit space is going to work against you. If you have no fish boxes in the cockpit, that will be an issue too.

Out riggers are almost a must as well. So if you are really serious about trolling, you need to be sure you can install them in such a way that they are easy and safe to deploy and the line clips can be easily accessed from the cockpit.

Found this pic and if this is how your cockpit is laid out, it's going to be very tricky to troll. Not enough room to spread your poles out so they are not in each others way and it's way too cramped.

At the end of the day, there is no perfect boat. Each design has compromises so you need to decide in your particular case, what is most important to you. If fishing is more important then cruising and dockside comfort, not sure this boat is going to be conducive to that. If there are women and family involved they are probably going to lean towards cabin and cruising comfort. But just remember, if you make the compromise to accommodate them, you are going to have some regrets when it's you and the boys out fishing.

Hope this helps you and good luck with your decision.... Purchasing a boat is a long term commitment so don't rush into anything, take your time and think about it carefully.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Cockpit space.jpg
Views:	446
Size:	48.6 KB
ID:	95682  
__________________

Gerry Zagorski <><

Founder/Owner of NJFishing.com since 1997
Proud Supporter of Heroes on the Water
NJFishing@aol.com
Obsession
28 Carolina Classic
Sandy Hook Area

Last edited by Gerry Zagorski; 05-09-2016 at 06:35 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-09-2016, 09:30 AM
Capt. Debbie's Avatar
Capt. Debbie Capt. Debbie is offline
NJFishing.com Old Salt
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Suffern NY / Sandy Hook
Posts: 2,597
Default Re: Upgrading to a better Boat

Not high on my fishing boat list either.

But boating is always full of compromises. It gives more creature comforts for cruising. So if it keeps your Mrs. happy it's a GREAT boat for you.

I only trolled a classic W pattern and only used 5 lines. Two outriggers. A gin pole off fly bridge and 2 flat line soft transom cleats. Remember you get one hit without a second hit following someone has to clear ALL the other lines and run the boat.

You can make it work. And I'm sure sleeping on it will be way better than many fishing boats.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski View Post
Mainships would not be on my short list of boats for fishing. They are designed and laid out for leisure cruising. Lots of room in the salon area but a little short when it comes to cockpit fishing space... But hey, if you like the lay out and it suits other needs then whatever works best for you.

As far as going out of the bay, as with any boat of this size, as long as the hull and the mechanics are sound you should have no worries making a trip to the mudhole. Like any of us, you need to pick your days.

I assume your intention is to fish the area and most people troll....

Trolling might be a bit of challenge because in order to do it right, you are going to want to troll at least 7 lines. So, you are going to need at least that many pole holders in the cockpit area that are strategically placed in the gunnels to make it conducive to pulling a trolling spread. You also need a good bit of room to work your poles and lines in the cockpit area as well as landing fish. If it's tight, here is where the lack of cockpit space is going to work against you. If you have no fish boxes in the cockpit, that will be an issue too.

Out riggers are almost a must as well. So if you are really serious about trolling, you need to be sure you can install them in such a way that they are easy and safe to deploy and the line clips can be easily accessed from the cockpit.

Found this pic and if this is how your cockpit is laid out, it's going to be very tricky to troll. Not enough room to spread your poles out so they are not in each others way and it's way too cramped.

At the end of the day, there is no perfect boat. Each design has compromises so you need to decide in your particular case, what is most important to you. If fishing is more important then cruising and dockside comfort, not sure this boat is going to be conducive to that. If there are women and family involved they are probably going to lean towards cabin and cruising comfort. But just remember, if you make the compromise to accommodate them, you are going to have some regrets when it's you and the boys out fishing.

Hope this helps you and good luck with your decision.... Purchasing a boat is a long term commitment so don't rush into anything, take your time and think about it carefully.
__________________
Capt. Debs
Tow boat captain/salvor
50 ton USCG Master
NJ Boating College- Lead Instructor
Big time hottie crabber

Last edited by Capt. Debbie; 05-09-2016 at 09:33 AM..
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.