BLUEFIN 50mi. OFF? BOAT AND CAPTAIN CAPABILITIES

[Capt Sal]

1. How big is your vessel.

2. What is the range of your vessel.

3. Do you have the experience to go 50 off.

First of all, bluefin tuna mid-range would be 40 to 60 miles one way. Some of the posts i have read are absolutely correct and informative. Fuel-1/3 out & 1/3 in and 1/3 reserve. If you have to calculate your fuel to the bare minimum,
don't go! I am not trying to be a know it all, i am just trying to post something about common sense. There are many variables in going 50 miles off shore in a mid size vessel (under 30 ft.). First of all, you can't beat experience. Many of the 24 to 26 ft boats on the market today say 'bluewater off shore' in reality they don't have the fuel capacity and or not meant for a crew of 5 anglers and all the weight. In my opinion one of the worst things you could do is to go 50 miles off with an inexperience crew & captain. Don't get me wrong, you don't have to be a license capt. to have the experience to do this. When something goes wrong and inexperienced crew might panic. A float plan is a must along with an epirb and raft.
Don't worry about getting out there, worry about getting back. Coming home in a strong west wind taking them on the chin might be a lesson in humility. No fish is worth dying for. Know your capabilities and the capabilities of your crew (keep the crew small). If you have not done it before on your own vessel, take a trip with the professional first. Everything is cool in calm seas, when it kicks up things change. Doing high RPM and not
covering speed over ground might cause you to run out of fuel. I could go on & on but let's just leave it like this. Discretion is the better part of valor.
Be safe and do the right thing. If you own the right vessel and have the capabilities as a capt. by all means go get yourself a nice bluefin tuna.

Old school navigation is a must. If you lose your GPS, go to plan B don't panic. Steer a straight course. Good luck to all and be safe.

p.s. if you don't own the proper tuna equipment, you are just wasting your time.

Capt. Sal Cursi