Future Sportfisherman Looks like the Past?

Are you serious? The catamaran has engines. The sails have been roller reefed. Just like a sport fisher, without the horrendous fuel costs. The guests are seated in their fighting chairs, lights, action!

The catamaran is a far more stable and spacious fishing platform. Carry more guests, earn more moolah!

"What's not to like?" as you North Americans are fond of saying.

The only two changes in procedure as I see them, will be less vomit to clear up and an armoured car to take the dinero to the Wells Fargo depot.

I want one.

Pericles

 

I don't track it too closely (rarely buy the stuff) but we're (coastal BC Canada) currently paying about $1.10 per L or around $5.00 per imperial gallon. I believe Canada now "owns" the largest oil reserves (Tar sands) but it will be given to the US for peanuts, under the "free trade" agreement.

 

so technically its under power however slowly for trolling, like most sailbotes are 80% slow power boats.


The time to get to the fish is critical, as for the charter group , unless its a head boat these guys want cigars, booze, fish and speed. I chartered and drove the crowd around for many years and unless youre on an island with a captive group they'll take the sporty over anything.. how can you charge for 8 hours of fishing when it takes 6 to get there???

 

There are a large number of considerations that must be taken into account, agreed. Wind direction for one, but there is is a large market of potential sport fisher men and women who cannot afford the fuel prices, who would warm to the idea of 30 knot sailing catamarans from which to go fishing.

The prototype is yet to be built, but 5 years ago a glimpse of what is possible was published below.

http://www.deltayachtsbrokerage.com/news/YWorld_gb62.pdf

This is market driven. When the owners of the high speed fishing boats throttle back, either at the behest of their guests, or of their own accord, the boot's on the other foot.

You mentioned, "so technically its under power however slowly for trolling, like most sailbotes are 80% slow power boats."

That is correct! And backing down faster than 10 knots is akin to sinking. I speak as one who knows.

History teaches us that future is always closer than we think. Parsons' ship Turbinia turned up unannounced at the Navy Review for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee at Spithead on 26 June 1897 in front of the Prince of Wales, Lords of the Admiralty and foreign dignitaries. The ship which was much faster than all other ships of the time, raced between the two lines of large ships and steamed up and down in front of the crowd and princes with impunity, while easily evading a Navy picket boat that tried to stop it, indeed almost swamping it with its wake. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbinia

In fewer that 9 years, steam turbines powered the HMS Dreadnought. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadnought#Propulsion

Let us see what occurs in the months to come. It appears that the sun has decided abort its predicted sunspot activity and maybe ice breakers will become the new sport fishers.

http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=265816

http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/2008/02/selling-snake-oil.html

Regards,

Pericles

 

Pericles,
I appreciate you're last post and another great article reminding us that science has proven the religion of global warming a farce. However, congrats are in order for Mr. Albert Gore who made $140 million last year marketing snake oil to idiots. Someone needs to sell him a thirsty yacht to go with his mansion, fleet of SUVs and Gulfstream V jet.

I created this topic knowing how inexpensive it is to push a boat at 8 knots. That beautiful old boat is really for the few who like to sail and do a little fishing while passing through fertile grounds. (me) But I am convinced the most popular sportfishing boat will soon be one with auxillary power.

The boat I'm building will have a 1000hp C-18 CAT with a 100hp, 30kw generator that will turn the main shaft via hydraulics. The Isuzu genny I have in mind burns about 1 gallon per hour and, I'm hoping, will move the 24-ton boat at about 7.5k. That would be a great speed for trolling sportfish. The primary question all this brings is: Why haven't sportfishing models done this already - especially charter boats that troll all damned day??

This is old technology. Several old shrimp boats down at our dock here in Fort Myers Beach, FL have used their genny for auxillary power for a decade.

 

It's generally accepted by just about everyone outside the US that global warming is a reality. It's real; it's measurable; it's quantifiable, and it's no myth. The only thing that seems to be even slightly up in the air (heh heh) is what's causing it, but global warming (and it's darkling handmaid, Global dimming[/urll] are very much a reality. The Nobel Committee doesn't generally suffer fools gladly, and your view of Mr Gore's personal hypocrisy vis-a-vis his own carbon footprint really has no place in a boat-design forum.

.

 

Eponodyne,

In the UK, we are beginning to see that membership of the EU is bad news and that the whole manmade global warming conspiracy is a CoS. It's socialism writ large, but like the elephant in the room, the chattering classes ignore it. The truth will out, but not in our lifetimes. I personally think Al Gore is a smarmy, deceitful, two faced tosspot, if you must know.

I guess you do not hold that view! So what! It's just a minor difference of opinion. Just check you still have all your fingers, if you ever get to shake his hand.

However, this IS a site about far more interesting things and my attempt at humour, re the use of ice breakers as sports fishers slipped past you. Sorry about that!

Juiceclark,

The Hawkbill is beautiful and I hope she soon finds a caring new owner. It's a pity she is half a world away.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...d=1205567&back=boatDetail.jsp&boat_id=1205567

Regards,

Pericles

 

Gas Prices Soar

Damn there goes my whole point of View!! The Dock Queen will remain on idle for another year,,, and once in a while I'll have to clear the plugs though.. god I love it,,

 

The Need for Speed

Speed is the keyword. Have a look here, "The Need for Speed"

I told a potential client recently I can give him 25 knots with two 315-350hp engines. But don't ask for more if you want to remain somewhat economical and have a decent range. If you need more speed, go buy one of those many used sportfish boats that will be coming to market soon.

 

Charter Work

...when you make the 6 hours getting there enjoyable

Here's a bit I included on my website in reference to this charter work;
Global Gamefisherman.
Fishing in all of its forms is the singular largest participation sport in the US. Many anglers have taken the next significant step and entered the world of offshore fishing, and then tournaments, etc. These gentlemen spend lots of money to go fishing. There's a lure to making a world record catch, or to finding that special fishing spot that's particularly prolific and/or maybe undiscovered by other anglers.
Many sportsmen might find it hard to resist at least one charter on our gamefishing boat in some remote and/or exotic location of the world, unreachable by conventional craft. Our expeditionary type vessel is designed to have that unlimited range, free from the fuel requirements that preclude most vessels from visiting those remote unexplored new fishing areas of the world. And our catamaran's shallow draft permits us to fish the deeper ocean upwellings, as well as the shallow lagoons and banks, concurrently. Then again, they may not just visit us seeking an exotic location, but rather simply another worldly location that they know they will never visit in their own boat.
In today's digital world, a camera on board linked to a satellite provides daily updates to the vessel's website. Reports on the local fishing conditions, rumored new hot spots, possible relocations of the vessel itself, connecting sea ports and air flights, can all be instantly transmitted to the potential charter client. This versatility was all but impossible in the days of print media advertising only. And with the use of a digital camera and scaling, its no longer necessary to keep the catch, but rather tag-and-release for another sportsman, another day.

Orient Express.
The idea of a charter vessel based on an Asian theme has long intrigued me, and particularly so after having spent some time visiting and working throughout SE Asia. Could we capture some of the romance, intrigue, mystery, and luxury, as was embellished in Europe's famed Orient Express.
One embodiment might combine the cultures of Thailand and Japan. Their foods are particular favorites of mine. They emulate the French in their inventiveness and presentation, while maintaining a simplicity and healthy (non-fat) quality. Both cultures make much use of seafood. Fresh sushi on a gamefishing boat, what a natural. And what if it was served up by a wonderfully gracious, geisha, sushi chef. Or an afternoon ceviche snack from fish, lobster, conch gathered by the guest on a dive guided by several Asian hostesses. We went snorkeling everyday for our ceviche ingredients while visiting Cuba. Great exercise, beautiful underwater vistas, and that hunter/gatherer feeling of accomplishment. How about an authentic Thai massage following this workout.
Our orient lady (the vessel) could make use of some decorative themes of the orient. Many of their decorations are quite lightly weighted physically, in keeping with our lightweight vessel preferences. There are many beautiful nature and sea design themes from Japan, Thailand, Bali, just to name a few.
An alternative embodiment might be more South Seas oriented. The vessel might assume the role of a mobile, floating Swiss Family Robinson tree house, wandering around the islands of the world. Her crow's nest (the watch tower), her expansive deck and trampoline areas (the beach), and any number of places to hang hammocks, certainly help qualify her.
The Asian charter client will more likely be attracted to the oriental theme'd vessel, while the American or European could be equally attracted to either. I think all the clients would be willing to pay a premium for this specialized service.
Let your imagination wander, then contact us directly for individual requirements, or questions.

http://www.runningtideyachts.com/charter/

http://www.runningtideyachts.com/archives/taraarchive.html
I wouldn't mind being here smoking a few cigars, drinking a few beers or sake, and fishing...ahhhhhh

 

Motor Sailing Sportfisher

Hey Tony,
Did you get that 'future/past' sportfisher yet? And have you rethought any of your priorities considerning the lastest fuel prices? I'm guessing we will see $200-250 per barrel by the end of the year.

I posted some other photos of Hawksbill here on my motor sailer posting:
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showpost.php?p=213166&postcount=14

 

I haven't bought it (all funds are pouring into my own project) but I sure think about it once in a while. This ol' dog doesn't like new tricks...have to accept I'm a monohull guy.

With a large beam becoming popular on sportfishing boats and the limitless technology of sail, strength, balance and power I just can't help thinking the Hawksbill is a style which could sell if modernized.

My neighbor has a 46' Aventure:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=59909&url=

and I just can't imagine having a big cat like that without some sort of sail. But when crossing the Gulf Stream in 10 footers that thing shuttered and complained enough to worry me. It would have been nothing on a quality sportfishing monohull. It seems there's no in-between: Either have a super wide cruising cat like your design or have a monohull powerboat. Those in the middle just don't impress. So, I as a monohull guy I keep harking back to the Hawksbill with interest.

One can fish on a sailboat or sail a motorboat...but who can take advantage of windpower cruising on a 25k sportfish? One smart, rich dude that's who.

Tony

 

Large yacht sales are at an all time high. Lots of people making money world wide.

Its the smaller boater who is feeling the higher energy costs, not the 90,000 families that have $360,000,000 or more.

 

eponodiny,,what do you mean that none of this has a place here ??that is typical liberal( everything is ok till you dissagree with me)attitude,,,,al gore sucks,,,,,,but globale warming is a farce ,,if it were true ,,why is mars getting warmer?? there has been iceages ,and heat ages ,,for millinium,,deserts dont shrink,they only get larger ,,someday this earth will be a burnt out hull ,,like mars ,science tells us that the polar caps were once tropical ,,can you explain ,,why is there seashells in my backyard?,,,now back to al gore ,,he uses and waste more power than 20 familys combind ,,yet he preaches conservation,,,,,he is one big fat piece of ****,,,,longliner

 

its coming to sailboats ,weather they are commercial fishing boats or charter,,,we are gonna have to slow down and smell the roses,,,,,it may take more time ,,,but the same pleasure will come from it (fuel is out) facts are facts ,,we gotta face reality,,,power fishing is out ,,the new trend ,(coming full circle) is sail,,,,,,,,,,mark my words ,,longliner