It's official! The Hookup boat is here! - California Fishing

jstcrzyengh · 07-21-2004, 07:55 PM

Well, after looking at thousands of boats, ok only two, but who's counting. We found the hook up sportfishing boat! It's a great multi purpose boat that we will use to fish both saltwater and freshwater. I am going to include some pics below.

The stats:

1971 IMP Aztec 20ft with cuddy (actually its 20.8)
Chevy 350 (235hp) with OMC outdrive - It hauls ###!
Freshwater tank with sink
Porta potty - Upgrade coming soon!
BIG cabin - Enough room to sleep three guys comfortably, MAYBE four, but a little too close for comfort
Hummingbird fish finder - Soon to go to a Furuno 600CVL
Electronic compass
Garmin GPS
New ICOM VHF - hooks directly to the GPS for immediate locating by the coast guard!
New Bilge pump
We are having the outdrive serviced right now including a new performance prop installed.
Engine is basically brand new, maybe 50 hours on it.

Future
There are currently seats next to the engine that we are removing and flush mounting fish boxes
We are adding new polyethylene fuel tanks for additional distance.
Windlass anchor - so no more dropping it and pulling it back up.
Flush toilet - with holding tank
Refridgerator - small one
New rocket launchers
More rod holders
Dual bait tanks

Here's captain Wahoo, getting into Character at Boat US!

Side View

Sargo caught off the breakwall

Replacing the battery at Boat us - Bryson and either chris or Nick I forgot who

New CAD design of the new sink area

Actually I am going to turn the sink length wise and install a recess in order to install a portable burner for trips to the islands. Should be pretty cool. Again its not skippy lol

DementedFish · 07-21-2004, 08:36 PM

I LOVE it!!!!!!

1toughfish · 07-21-2004, 08:46 PM

cool. how much was it

bajadave1 · 07-21-2004, 08:56 PM

Nice platform, I hope you enjoy it and my it take you over many fish........try catching a few too.

jstcrzyengh · 07-21-2004, 10:17 PM

Let's just say it costs a lot. The price of the boat wasnt that bad, however it needed some major repairs. Jon and I talked them down, but after the bill from the boat yard we didnt get enough off lol

The reverse gear is shot, we are having that replaced. The tilt mechanism was shot, we got that fixed. Bilge pump was shot, getting heavy duty one installed. Steering was shot, Getting that fixed. Throttle sticks, getting that fixed lol Yeah it sounds bad, however remember we are having this all professionally fixed. Engine has less than 50 hours on it.

We took it out Friday to see how bad it really was. We had to tie the outdrive up to tow it to the Sunset aquatic, the winch wouldnt work, when we finally got it unlatched we forgot the straps attached in the back lol Needless to say we surpassed the 20 minute loading. We are getting a new winch and straps put on. We purchased everything needed to be coast guard approved including First Aid kit, throwable PFD, 5 life jackets, Flares, you name it we got it. The horns were bad so Jon and I installed new horns. VERY loud!

A lot more pictures to come

PilotBryson · 07-21-2004, 10:37 PM

I can't wait to take it out again guys. It's an excellent boat. For now, I'm doing the towing until James can get his Bronco fixed. James and I are taking it to Costa Mesa tomorrow for the fixing, and hopefully it will be done by saturday to take it out for some flats fishing!

GlobalFisher · 07-21-2004, 11:16 PM

Thats awesome guys!

cst · 07-22-2004, 10:02 AM

horns? lol.

FishSlayer · 07-24-2004, 09:08 AM

Are you going to name the boat? you should have a contest to name it.

PilotBryson · 07-24-2004, 11:38 AM

Yes! We are going to name it. As of right now, it's name is "Texas Boo-Boo" because that's what the previous owners names it, lol. I definately think we need to have a naming contest.

litltroutchaser · 07-24-2004, 07:17 PM

That looks like a very cool boat.You will probably have alot of fun with it.

PlatinumHooks · 07-24-2004, 09:21 PM

Finally!! Yeah. I kinda wish the other one would have worked out just because of the design and the size, but this one looks cool. Not that it's the most important thing, but after some "art work"(update the paint and intricate details like the aluminum trimming with polish, etc.), this boat will look pretty damn hot! I'm excited. Great job James and Jon!!

PlatinumHooks · 07-24-2004, 09:32 PM

I have a couple ideas for a name or two, or more......

"Hook This!" (the cocky/ smart ### name)

"Fish or Die" (on second thought, never use the name "die" anywhere in a boat name...especially if the name is an ultimatum)

"Pelagic Wishes" (since we wish that any of us had the balls to take it offshore westward past 25 miles out)

"Land 2 Sea" (since you want to use it for both fresh and saltwater)

"Hook Me Up" or "Hook 'em Up"

last but not least, my favorite:

"Got Gaffs?"

jstcrzyengh · 07-24-2004, 10:17 PM

Hey Tony, All of them sound great. And trust me this boat WILL see Clemente. Wont be making any potato bank runs, but we may run to pyramid with our tails between our legs

But it wont be this year lol We are going to need your hook up on the wood guy. I have an update below. I really like your ideas. "Hook this" is classic, I agree no "die" around the boat lol We are actually planning a contest to name it lol But "hook this" or "got gaffs".... Hmmmm I likey.

Update:

Well, I just got back from Warner Boat Sales where the boat is being fixed. These guys are GREAT. Not only are they one of the only ones that work on outdrives this old, but they know this PARTICULAR boat like the back of their hands. I was talking to Tom the owner and he said that these particular boats were the "cadillac" of their day. Not many 20' boats do you find enough fishing room for four, and enough sleeping room to fit three comfortably and that includes me as one of the three (see picture above for me lol) The cost of fixing the outdrive is going to be more than initially thought. Basically, hard to explain because it is so detailed, but the older OMC's used what is known as "electric shift" drives. Basically there is two magnets. One magnetizes for forward and one magnetizes for reverse. Not going to get into "electro magnetism" here, but that is how it engages. Well, since OMC went Bankrupt a few years ago they stopped making the magnets. Well, the guy who owned the boat before us must of seen that and the $350 price for a new magent plus $750 to get it installed (you need to remove the whole lower end) and decided to take a HOUSEHOLD extension cord to rewire the outdrive so that the reverse magnet worked the forward gear. Needless to say this is BAD. Because of this he burnt the FORWARD spring, and the Reverse magnet. He even let the wires corrode, no tin wire or heat shrink/ anyone that knows anything about marine wiring knows you need tinned wire and you really should heat shrink to protect any water from getting in there at all. Also the tilt motor has seen better days. The throttle cable was shot, and a few other things. Boy do we know how to pick them lol

Anyway the boat has a rebuilt outdrive, new everything about. New wiring, new magnets, new springs, new cables, and a whole bunch of other little parts. I also had the trailer wiring updated, and a bunch of other little things. The engine is VEERY strong with a recent rebuild. It has 235 HP, and the guys at Warner say that it could probably do 35mph and get 2.25 mpg. Needless to say on glass like conditions that is catalina in like a half hour!

Upcoming additions
New 55 gallon fuel capacity. This should give us somewhere around 140 - 175 mile capacity. MORE than enough for catalina, on days we go to clemente we just top off the tanks at Cat. I have another27 gallon that we may add, but dang 225 mile range for a 20 footer lol

Windlass Anchor. If you dont know what it is look it up, but it means much happier fishing.

Increased deck space. You would have to see the boat to see what I mean. With this increased deck space we are looking at dual insulated fish holds, about four to five feet a piece with dual macerated pumps. Perfect for kleeping fish cold, and perfect for bleeding out big yellows

Refridgerator. Small one, but nothing like ice made on board, or cold soda without hauling a big cooler.

The boat already has fresh water and a sink.

Dual Bait 28 gallon bait bags. One for purchased fin bait and the other for Mackeral, or squid or just the ability to have 3-4 scoops of bait for 3-4 guys. A scoop a piece means no reason we cant catch some yellows.

Furuno 600CVL

Flushable macerated toilet - hell yeah! lol

Well, now that I have written a whole novella and given you a lot of the information, I am sure you can see this will be THE BADDEST 20.2footer on the water

Anything we are missing?

johnlgarrison · 07-25-2004, 08:48 AM

You know what they say about boat ownership? The happiest day of your life is the day you bought it, and the second happiest day is the day you sell it. Also B.O.A.T stands for Bring Out Another Thousand. Good luck!