Upgrading to a better Boat

[tkhoff]

So I am taking a 1991 35' Mainship out for a test run today and was curious about its ability to leave the bay. Is there any reason I would not be able to make the trip out to the mud hole with this boat? (assuming all safety equipment etc.. is on board)

[Gerry Zagorski]

Mainships would not be on my short list of boats for fishing. They are designed and laid out for leisure cruising. Lots of room in the salon area but a little short when it comes to cockpit fishing space... But hey, if you like the lay out and it suits other needs then whatever works best for you.

As far as going out of the bay, as with any boat of this size, as long as the hull and the mechanics are sound you should have no worries making a trip to the mudhole. Like any of us, you need to pick your days.

I assume your intention is to fish the area and most people troll....

Trolling might be a bit of challenge because in order to do it right, you are going to want to troll at least 7 lines. So, you are going to need at least that many pole holders in the cockpit area that are strategically placed in the gunnels to make it conducive to pulling a trolling spread. You also need a good bit of room to work your poles and lines in the cockpit area as well as landing fish. If it's tight, here is where the lack of cockpit space is going to work against you. If you have no fish boxes in the cockpit, that will be an issue too.

Out riggers are almost a must as well. So if you are really serious about trolling, you need to be sure you can install them in such a way that they are easy and safe to deploy and the line clips can be easily accessed from the cockpit.

Found this pic and if this is how your cockpit is laid out, it's going to be very tricky to troll. Not enough room to spread your poles out so they are not in each others way and it's way too cramped.

At the end of the day, there is no perfect boat. Each design has compromises so you need to decide in your particular case, what is most important to you. If fishing is more important then cruising and dockside comfort, not sure this boat is going to be conducive to that. If there are women and family involved they are probably going to lean towards cabin and cruising comfort. But just remember, if you make the compromise to accommodate them, you are going to have some regrets when it's you and the boys out fishing.

Hope this helps you and good luck with your decision.... Purchasing a boat is a long term commitment so don't rush into anything, take your time and think about it carefully.

[Capt. Debbie]

Not high on my fishing boat list either.

But boating is always full of compromises. It gives more creature comforts for cruising. So if it keeps your Mrs. happy it's a GREAT boat for you.

I only trolled a classic W pattern and only used 5 lines. Two outriggers. A gin pole off fly bridge and 2 flat line soft transom cleats. Remember you get one hit without a second hit following someone has to clear ALL the other lines and run the boat.

You can make it work. And I'm sure sleeping on it will be way better than many fishing boats.

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Mainships would not be on my short list of boats for fishing. They are designed and laid out for leisure cruising. Lots of room in the salon area but a little short when it comes to cockpit fishing space... But hey, if you like the lay out and it suits other needs then whatever works best for you.

As far as going out of the bay, as with any boat of this size, as long as the hull and the mechanics are sound you should have no worries making a trip to the mudhole. Like any of us, you need to pick your days.

I assume your intention is to fish the area and most people troll....

Trolling might be a bit of challenge because in order to do it right, you are going to want to troll at least 7 lines. So, you are going to need at least that many pole holders in the cockpit area that are strategically placed in the gunnels to make it conducive to pulling a trolling spread. You also need a good bit of room to work your poles and lines in the cockpit area as well as landing fish. If it's tight, here is where the lack of cockpit space is going to work against you. If you have no fish boxes in the cockpit, that will be an issue too.

Out riggers are almost a must as well. So if you are really serious about trolling, you need to be sure you can install them in such a way that they are easy and safe to deploy and the line clips can be easily accessed from the cockpit.

Found this pic and if this is how your cockpit is laid out, it's going to be very tricky to troll. Not enough room to spread your poles out so they are not in each others way and it's way too cramped.

At the end of the day, there is no perfect boat. Each design has compromises so you need to decide in your particular case, what is most important to you. If fishing is more important then cruising and dockside comfort, not sure this boat is going to be conducive to that. If there are women and family involved they are probably going to lean towards cabin and cruising comfort. But just remember, if you make the compromise to accommodate them, you are going to have some regrets when it's you and the boys out fishing.

Hope this helps you and good luck with your decision.... Purchasing a boat is a long term commitment so don't rush into anything, take your time and think about it carefully.