Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

Good Morning, Everyone. I've been freshwater bass fishing for the past 30+ years. After moving to South Jersey (Gloucester County) about 4 years ago I can see that the saltwater fishing is much more prevalent down here. A friend at my church was selling his boat and it seemed like it was the right opportunity to jump into this. It's an 1987 Bonito 17ft Center Console with a 2006 2 stroke 75HP Evinrude Ficht. I took it out down the Mullica River and into Great Bay a couple of times but I really want to navigate out to the inshore reef sites and make the most of it. So, what would be an ideal forecast to make a trip out of the Little Egg Inlet and out the 7 miles to the Little Egg Reef?

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

So my first question would be did you have the boat surveyed?

Then answering the “Now What” would be a little easier.

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have not had any surveys performed. I got the boat from a friend who got it from a friend and we all go to the same church. Between the two of them they've had it for 20 years.

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

Here's how I "survey"a boat 17 foot glass boat.. Look it over.. Are the floors hard and not waterlogged?. Transom as well?.. no flexing, no cracks? no soggy wood?.. Everything look solid, and all electricals in working order??.. yes?.... Well then take it out a few times in nearshore bays, tidal rivers etc.. Any water come out of the drain plug at the ramp after takeout? ?.. A few gallons is ok,, If its running out heavy and looks substantial each time out, the gelcoat is porous or cracked somewhere.,,, If it performs well, take a trip or two out the inlet close in first few times when the weather is right...The boat will tell you all you need to know in short order after a few trips.. Unless it was badly abused, or in an accident, a decent 17 foot glass hull is usually trouble free, with the main problem spots being floors and transom.. if they are solid, and the boat doesn't get a lot of water, there is very little to worry about.. FIRST thing I would do with any 17 no matter how good it looks, is have backup power.. Get a good running 9.9 on a bracket on the boat. That, a good VHF radio, and you should be fine to go out within sight of land.. Personally, I would never go out even on the bay without backup power.. You an get a tow in of course, but in my day, I have seen guys stranded, desperate ,with no power, or boats filling with water, and guys nearby in sea worthy boats that were too interested in their fluke drifts to bother to help.. I have towed a lot of stranded boaters back to the ramp in my time... ANY recreational fishing boat that goes in the ocean needs backup power in my opinion.. As far as the glass hull, if it looks and sounds solid, doesn't leak water, it usually just fine.. I have seen very very few "bad" glass hulls, unless they were damaged.. Transoms are your main concern.. Look for cracks where the transom joins the body, and pull on the motor to check for flexing.. Its only my opinion, but paying to survey a 17 bay boat? I wouldn't. Take it out a few times and it will tell you all you need to know... bob

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

The first thing you do is put winguru.com On your phone and check the forecast for wave height and wind and make sure you don’t have any poor conditions and that 24 hour period. And then come here and check for Fishing reports and learn how to bottom Fish and learn how to drift for fluke and learn how to troll. But also learn how to crab. That is the best thing you can get out of the water. South Jersey is a blue claw crab Mecca.

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

I looked the boat over as soon as I went to pick it up. Walked the entire floor and found no soft spots. I'm not a small guy, 6'3 225lbs., So I definitely would have known. Checked the entire transom and found no concerns. I fixed the bilge pump when I got the boat home. Had to rewire the navigation lights. Then I took it out on the Mullica River on a calm day. She ran great. Wind was working against the tide so there was no drift, but I managed 1 short fluke at the mouth of the river. I guess my main concern is figuring out how to study all the factors that could contribute to a good day inshore vs a bad day. What wind/ tide in combination with swell height and timing for a boat my size.

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

Thank you for replying. I've been out on party boats for fluke, seabass, striper and blues for years. Just never been the captain. I just want to be sure I'm making the right decisions when I decide to venture out of the inlet. Thanks for the app info. I'll download that now.

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

In general, light west winds are the ticket for a good day. Be wary of an outgoing inlet tide against the wind - it will be treacherous. Never ever ever get sideways. Use ample throttle but never enough to bury the bow. I have waited two hours outside waiting for the tide to subsid before entering the inlet

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

Don't forget to invest in "SeaTow". Money well spent and you will be so glad you have it if you ever need it! Good luck!

Re: Bought a 17ft Bonito CC w/ 75HP Evinrude * Now What?*
 

So only reason I asked the original question was to see where you were at with knowledge of the boat ya just acquired. I'm an absolute nut with maintenance and safety. its an obsession.

So that being said....... only ran out of LEI a few times and dont want to sound like an internet expert captain.West Winds your friend and watch the south winds kicking up in the afternoon.