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Recommendations for a yacht

Discussion in 'General Sportfish Discussion' started by GlobalMariner, Apr 26, 2020.

  1. GlobalMariner

    GlobalMariner New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2020
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    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    I am not sure if I am looking for a yacht or boat, but here goes ...

    My Dad has always wanted to get the family into fishing, and we are considering a boat/ yacht that is seaworthy for weekend fishing trips off the coast of San Diego/ Mexico or past Catalina Island (Los Angeles). Figure 4 of us (Dad, Mom, me, and Mrs.), so we will need some indoor space and sleeping quarters. Luxury is great, but not a priority. Primary amenities we will need at are freezers to store the big money fish that we have dreams of catching, underneath large work spaces at the aft for working our fishing lines. 2 sleep bunks large enough for 2 people each will also be necessary.

    We want to go for the bluefin tuna, as those seem to be the fish that can command prices of $1000+ when we get back to shore. But we are not picky- whatever makes sense to go for once we get out there, we will go for. We are not a commercial fishing enterprise though, so we are not figuring on catching 100 fish that will yield us $25 each. If it is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel then sure we will consider such an endeavor, but we would prefer to just go for fish of $500-1000 and up if we can help it.

    Not sure if my dream is just a fantasy. I looked into fishing licenses, and I am not sure if the licenses I am seeing provided by the CA Department of Fish and Game are the ones we will need (something like $100/ year, and $800/ lifetime if you are 40-60 years old, $500 is you are over 65, etc.). I can look further into this; not really seeking feedback here (but have at it if you can point me in the right direction).

    Anyway, I am thinking the Boston Whaler Conquest would do the trick, but am I right in figuring that with BW, we are paying a premium for the name? I love BWs and I am sure that their reputation is well earned, but is there a boat that at 1/4 the price, gives us 85% of the quality? When I was a kid, Grady White was considered a boat that gave us 90% of the boat for 70% of the cost, but looking briefly at the prices, GW seems to be about the same price as BW these days. Hey, both awesome boats as far as I know, and no disrespect to either. We are just looking for a tool that will do the trick for less expensive.
  2. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Private / recreational fisherman can not legally sell ANY fish. You have to have a commercial license to sell ANY fish in the state of California. The commercial Bluefin Tuna fishery is highly regulated and subjected to quotas and limits. It is not a breezy easy Wicked Tuna picture show.

    Those licenses you see are just for private / recreational use ONLY.
  3. GlobalMariner

    GlobalMariner New Member

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  4. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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  5. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'm impressed at how much boating and fishing experience you surely must have to tackle going fishing off the shore of California and Mexico in a Boston Whaler. I assume you're talking the Conquest 405 to sleep 4? I'm a bit surprised with that experience you didn't know a Commercial license was required.

    Just curious as to how much you've budgeted for the boat purchase, upgrades, and annual expenses.
  6. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    Location:
    CT
    For commercial fishing one of you will need at least six pack ( the license, not the beverage).

    My suggestion for turning this dream into focus would be to charter a bunch of times. Learn from an expert captain and mate all that is involved, practical crew levels, legally required equipment, market conditions, etc. And learn from your wife and mother how much time they actually want to spend offshore.
  7. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay, USA

    I don't know the waters or the fisheries out there, but...

    I'd expect a more usable candidate "sportfisher" might come from Viking, Hatteras, Cabo and similar designs from other brands...

    and it might be in the 40-45' range, maybe could get away with 35' at the low end...

    -Chris
  8. T.T.

    T.T. Senior Member

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    Jan 22, 2010
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    Location:
    S.F.
    Sea Gull has a realistic suggestion....charter first. take a research trip to Puerto Vallarta and look up Marla Sportfishing or others. Take the family and boat a yellowfin or two, and adjust your expectations.
  9. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Argh...a possible Googan I sence..argh..
  10. GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    Location:
    Newfoundland
    OP: If you can't find a liveaboard slip, you can't afford a boat or a yacht or a bobber either.