Added TTOP to '75 20SF. She's got the look

[Texascoastalfish]

I have been adding a few upgrades here and there.
Painted the interior with Brightsides and Interdeck non skid on deck cap. Installed a STRYKER Ttop (999.00!! Best deal out there) and launchers, plus a Bag for PDF's etc. Freed up a lot of room in compartments
Been fishing every weekend since Spring it seems. Caught tons and "Elenita" is a very graceful lady in our Bays and 30 miles offshore (That's the farthest out of Freeport,Tx. I've been. Wired up for Spreaders and Top mounted Anchor/running light, just haven't hooked em up. Will strip/repair/fill hull and bottom after Xmas and paint with Interlux perfection. Royal Blue top. White bottom using VC performance. Did I mention fishing ?


And after a hard days fishin, whats better than a foot massage and some wine ?

[strick]

And after a hard days fishin, whats better than a foot massage and some wine ?

Maybe a foot massage with a happy ending?


BTW I think you need a bigger boat

strick

[Texascoastalfish]

True I do need a bigger boat,
Im looking for either a 70's 23 CC Seacraft, or a 27' Worldcat( 1999-2000) Sport Cuddy. I want to get to the deep rigs and maybe the floaters 70-90 miles offshore ( AND BACK !)
Ive been 31 miles with my 20' 2-3 seas, nooo problem ( this was with 5 of us. Flares and EPRIB at the ready)

[Fr. Frank]

I want to get to the deep rigs and maybe the floaters 70-90 miles offshore ( AND BACK !)

If you want to go farther, do as I do, carry extra fuel on deck and burn it first. I've made the 170 mile round-trip to the Florida Middle Grounds now 4 times in my 20' Seafari. I carried 24 extra gallons last time, and with the main tank holding 27 usable gallons, it was enough. I think I burned 47 gallons total round-trip including maneuvering at the reef. (I get a hair better than 5 mpg at cruise with my 90hp Optimax)

I never go solo, but always with other boats in company, and only when the extended forecast is for calm weather. (My boat is always the smallest making the trip, though.)

[Texascoastalfish]

Thanks,
That is very good advice. I went solo on my 30 miler to the 80'deep rigs, but would not do it any farther alone. You said 27 gallons usable in main tank ? How big is your main tank ? Mine is 47 gallons, if I get a say 12 gallon portable, or that gives me say 67+ usable. At 25 mph Im burning 7.5 on my 17P stainless OMC prop with my 112 SPL Evinrude.SO.... 7.5 GPH at 25 mph going to the 60 mile Rigs. Say 130 round trip looks like burning 40 gallons to be safe leaves 18 reserve. Thats do- able. I dunno about the 70-80 mile rigs. 200 miles RT could be 60 gallons. And it seems trolling moving etc you always seem to burn extra 10-15 %. It would be fun to try in a convoy. As long as my Brother has an extra 6 gallons for me. I can get BF Tuna at 60-70 miles easy

[BigLew]

Did I read this right? 47 + 12 = 67? ..or did someone imitate my type of Quick Math mistake?

[Bigshrimpin]

Yup . . . 47 + 12 that makes 59 gallons

[Texascoastalfish]

My Bad ..I was originally thinking 20 gallons until I looked online and saw the 12 and 18 gallon portables. I didnt fix my post though.
SO.. 59 gallons. Should be enough to get 50-60 miles and get Dorado,AJ's, Maybe some BFT behind the shrimpers.
All good