Gringo Pescador
9/30/2013 5:58:00 PMStill amazed we stayed out the way we were being tossed around once we got around the corner out of Edmonds. If it were me we would have turned right around and went in for breakfast. It was a wild ride but I'm glad we stuck it out.
Mike Carey
9/30/2013 6:29:00 PMI know. Those initial waves had me second-guessing my decision to fish today, but once we headed north and got on the far side of the ferries it wasn't too bad.
MotoBoat
9/30/2013 7:30:00 PMCould not believe my eyes when I saw a report for area 9 today! What a windy day as seen by Mikes hair in the first pic...! I don't wear a hat most times so my hair looks like that too Mike.....lol! At least we have hair to look like that. Looking at the Wa State ferry's wind for today. At 6:07am it was 10-13kts, 9:07....14-23kts, and 12:07.......18-33kts. This is close to shore, not out in the shipping lanes where it is usually blowing harder, and waves are bigger. Trolling with the wind is the only reasonable way to fish in conditions like today's. Most would have bagged it, like Gringo lamented. How rough was the ride back? Winds were at there max around noon. Could have seen consistent 3-4ft waves or better out there. Sometimes just making the turn to go back into the wind is dicey.
Mike Carey
9/30/2013 7:50:00 PMWe didn't venture too far out, although there was some joking about running over to Possession. Basically ran parallel from the Ferry due north, which put us in 300-500ft deep water. Plenty of fish being marked, no need to go farther out. Coming back (south bound) was tough trolling into the wind, but it was the better shot at getting fish (with the tide). I'd say we bagged it when we started hitting 3 ft chop. 11:45 it started getting pretty windy. My boat is a deep V and handles slop pretty good (18 ft Seaswirl). I did get a few salt-water face sprays coming in though. :-)
Gringo Pescador
9/30/2013 8:03:00 PMI was standing up for the ride in, I rode/raced dirt bikes when I was a kid, being able to use my knees was key to staying upright ;)
salmonbarry
9/30/2013 8:09:00 PMWay to go guys! My brother-in-law are going to give it a try early on Thursday so that is encouraging as I think the weather will be calmer by then I hope!
downriggeral
9/30/2013 10:31:00 PMHi Mike; Good job in the wind and big waves, you are indeed a hardcore fisherman. Reminds me of fishing in the howling wind at the mouth of the Deschutes. Can you tell me what a "magnum" flasher is? Not familiar with the term. Thanks - Alan
MotoBoat
10/1/2013 9:53:00 AMIn your report there was mention of not wanting to use the big motor for trolling. What was the reason? I get the gas consumption, and that the big motor even at idle trolls fast on some boats. Especially, if a speed prop is used. But other than that, is there another reason?
When going with the wind, in the conditions experienced on this day. It is best to use the kicker for boat and speed control. In fact, at times it is necessary to run the kicker in reverse. To slow down!
I am pretty sure this had come up before. When trolling into the wind, especially a heavy wind. Trolling into the teeth of the waves, using the big motor is so much easier. 1) body weight transfer from back to helm, makes a noticeable difference in boat control. The more the people, the more forward they should be. Unless checking gear. 2) Wind will slow the big motor to a manageable speed, sometimes a rpm increase is necessary for proper speed. 3) Steering with the wheel, and having the ability to juice the throttle to point the bow quickly into the waves for a most reasonable ride and boat control. In these conditions, there is much less work involved using the main over the kicker.
As mentioned, the kicker was maxed out maintaining a 3mph trolling speed. Plus your constantly fighting to keep the bow into the wind and waves. With no throttle left for quick boat heading adjustments.
When trolling, I do not use the main.....period! But the first time an exception was made, was in windy conditions, and the kicker was acting up. I could not believe the difference it made. As a side note: a surprising discovery was the big motor was much quieter at just above idle, than the kicker at 3/4 throttle. While achieving the same speed. Oh, and this was when Coho fishing. In a 17ft open bow with 85hp main.
When going with the wind, in the conditions experienced on this day. It is best to use the kicker for boat and speed control. In fact, at times it is necessary to run the kicker in reverse. To slow down!
I am pretty sure this had come up before. When trolling into the wind, especially a heavy wind. Trolling into the teeth of the waves, using the big motor is so much easier. 1) body weight transfer from back to helm, makes a noticeable difference in boat control. The more the people, the more forward they should be. Unless checking gear. 2) Wind will slow the big motor to a manageable speed, sometimes a rpm increase is necessary for proper speed. 3) Steering with the wheel, and having the ability to juice the throttle to point the bow quickly into the waves for a most reasonable ride and boat control. In these conditions, there is much less work involved using the main over the kicker.
As mentioned, the kicker was maxed out maintaining a 3mph trolling speed. Plus your constantly fighting to keep the bow into the wind and waves. With no throttle left for quick boat heading adjustments.
When trolling, I do not use the main.....period! But the first time an exception was made, was in windy conditions, and the kicker was acting up. I could not believe the difference it made. As a side note: a surprising discovery was the big motor was much quieter at just above idle, than the kicker at 3/4 throttle. While achieving the same speed. Oh, and this was when Coho fishing. In a 17ft open bow with 85hp main.
Mike Carey
10/1/2013 2:04:00 PMMotoBoat, you make all good points. My personal concern is probably an emotional one not based in any mechanical knowledge whatsoever. #1) The motor is 21 years old, and I don't want to run it at low RPMs for any length of time out of concern (maybe totally unfounded) of over-working it. #2) Only had 3/8 a tank of gas (and that is relying on a questionable fuel indicator) so I wanted to have no concerns about being able to power back through the waves to the marina.
downriggeral
10/1/2013 3:07:00 PMOld 2 stroke big motors with carbs hate to idle; use lots of fuel and load up! I retired my old Evinrude V4 90 HP last fall and put on a Evinrude 90 E-Tec...wow a third of the fuel, quiet and will idle for hours with no complaints. I use the full synthetic XD100 oil and 2 plus4 fuel treatment. Oil use is so minimal it's amazing. Trolling into the wind with the big motor is no longer a problem. I also went to a Yamaha T8 trolling motor with power tilt, electric start and remote throttle control; tied to the big motor to steer from the helm out of the weather under the new top put on last fall too. The old Starcraft never had it so good....me too!!
MotoBoat
10/1/2013 5:55:00 PMThat is interesting to hear the quandary of fuel management, when dealing with a built in gas tank and fuel gauge. Myself, having two auxiliary 6 gallon tanks, that is something I am unfamiliar. If I am going out for a day of trolling on a calm day ( based on a weather man prediction). I know 3 gallons is almost two days worth of Coho trolling, with my evinrude 9.9 two stroke. On a windy day, maybe having to use the main. I think about filling the second 6 gal tank, in addition to the 3 gallons in the first. I don't worry about trolling with the big motor, as much as the fuel consumption is a multiplier of 4 or 5 times over the kicker motor. My main is older than 21years. In fact yours is a pup compared to mine at 38. It Idles pretty good, all day at Coho speed, just is obese about consumption when used for that.
Running out of gas, in a boat, is avoidable with common sense. Definitely a good call Mike.
Running out of gas, in a boat, is avoidable with common sense. Definitely a good call Mike.
Mike Carey
10/1/2013 7:53:00 PMSomeday I will face the issue of re-motor or change boats. I'm not in a financial situation where I can do either right now. My wife and I have had so many good times in our Seaswirl, and for two people it does a lot of things just right. A new motor would serve it well plus save a lot on gas. Someday...
downriggeral
10/1/2013 8:29:00 PMI hear what you are saying Mike; I too loved the old boat. Re-powered with used to save money. You must be mechanically savvy and have a little luck to pull it off otherwise it's just someones misery transferred to you.
Thanks for all of the great reports you do; the info is greatly appreciated.
Tight Lines - Alan
Thanks for all of the great reports you do; the info is greatly appreciated.
Tight Lines - Alan