BillF
2014-04-12 15:56:37
Hi Everyone,
My wife and I are going to buy a HT permit and boat this year. I am debating what type of boat would work best for us. We are stuck to Juneau this first year because of employment obligations, so we will only be able to get out on the weekends. We plan to have summers off after this year and would like to HT full time.
I am seriously considering buying a boat that is all set up for trolling that is here in Juneau. This boat is an Albin 25 hull with a 44 year old Albin 20hp diesel engine. The boat is very rudimentary, but very functional. The seller is a very pleasant person to deal with. I am concerned about having a 44 year old raw water cooled engine (although not as concerned as I would be if it was in a sailboat and saw only intermittent use). The boat would be comfortable when we could commit for the summer, but it would be very difficult to fish on the weekend (from Juneau) with a 6 knot average cruise speed. This boat comes with a trailer, but the boat cannot be launched from the trailer.
My original plan was to get something similar to or a 22' Olympic if I could find one. I like the idea of newer outboards for the ease of maintenance and parts availability. I also like the option of being able to get somewhere quickly (even though it uses more fuel) and then run a trolling motor. Something like that would not be as comfortable to work on or live on when we commit for the summer, the initial cost would be higher, and the fuel costs would be higher in the long term.
I would be interested to hear what you guys think of this fiberglass hull, diesel powered, already set up troller versus a smaller, faster boat. I have never trolled commercially or longer than a day, and have never been based out of a smaller port (such as Hoonah).
Kelper
2014-04-12 18:32:28
There are some 22' Olympics for sale here on POW if you are looking for one. They'd be a nice day fisher, but I'd not want to spend more than a few nights in one. It'd be pretty cramped.
fveureka
2014-04-12 18:50:51
Kelper, are those the boats Fireweed lodge is selling? If so Bill those Olympic Resorter models 22 and 24 ft would make a dandy HT. Since your basic weekend warrior you'll need a faster boat.
Kelper
2014-04-12 19:43:02
yeah, those are the ones. I heard he dropped the prices too. I looked at them for a hunting boat, and they are nice little boats. Good electronics package too. Those fireweed guys fished the outside of Noyes in them, in some pretty nasty weather. I fished next to them for 10 years and always was surprised at the water they would fish in, with 5 guys on the back deck. Also, one of the owners of Zats Pizza in Craig has his 22' Olympic up for sale. Might be worth checking out. Not as nice as the fireweed boats, but you might get it fairly cheap. Those 22' Olympics with the 225 Optimax engines typically go around 1200 before the engines start having issues, and they burn 9-10 gallons per hour running at 25kts, for what it's worth.
I think they'd make a nice little hand troll boat too. 2 half totes would give you about a 100 coho capacity for day fishing. Not too bad for somebody starting out. It'd take a little work getting some davits/gurdies/poles mounted, but it's doable. It'd be a good boat to learn from, that's for sure, and have a fraction of the expenses of a bigger boat you can't stick on a trailer. It'd beat the 19' T Top boat I started out in!
BillF
2014-04-13 18:47:16
Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.
Crawfish
2014-04-16 16:26:30
My friend has a Albin 27' . It rides nice has a down east lobster style inspired hull. It's a good sea boat for its size. He has been fishing it for years. It does 14 knots with a 170 HP Yanmar. It does not burn much fuel. If the 25' hull is similar to the 27' I wouldn't hesitate .
BillF
2014-04-16 18:13:33
Thanks for the input everyone! I bought a 26' Olympic for this summer. I decided that this was the best way to be able to get out and learn this summer, since I am a weekend warrior this year. I know I'll burn too much fuel, but I consider it an educational expense. My wife picked up gurdies yesterday, I'll get poles and stabilizers this weekend, and I'm meeting someone for some other gear in a couple of weeks. I think that I'll be shopping for a diesel troller this winter as this is the last summer I'll be stuck to town (cross my fingers anyway). I have an agreement to buy a permit, I'm hoping that I'll be able to wrap that up in the next couple of days. Thanks again everyone.
Bill
fveureka
2014-04-17 14:50:56
That is awesome Bill. A guy by the last name of Reid in Juneau spent a few years trolling out of a stoutly rigged 26 Olympic. He could be found fishing anywhere from Petersburg to Cape Cross. Hope the fish "hang on like grapes" this season for you! Dan
Kelper
2014-04-17 15:36:13
Congrats on the new boat!
BillF
2014-04-19 14:46:06
Thanks Guys! This boat was used for HT two owners ago, I wonder if it's the same one?
fveureka
2014-04-19 23:03:33
If the F&G triangle boat registration number is still on the port side #62610 it was owned by Mr. Reid
fveureka
2014-04-25 04:40:29
Hello Bill, PM me if you need these small stabies and float bags for hand trolling. I am in Juneau and not looking for alot of $ for the set.. Dan