kinda new to the site.
Was looking for a new duck boat when my wife stumbled on the deal for this 14' Starcraft w- 35hp Evinrude.
She traded an old non-opp 78 Camaro (6 banger) for it. She wanted the car gone & the guy wanted the boat gone...... works for me.
I'm pretty sure it's a Holiday, but any input is welcome.
Here's a report from her first run last week:
Yes a fishing report from me (ok fishing/catching was involved in my boat report)!
Been puting together an old 14' Starcraft runabout for awhile now.
Between the boat, work, & honey do's, I haven't seen the water.
I stripped her down to the hull inside, added drainage holes to every rib, some new braces, new deck, dual bilge pumps, bait pump, wiring, switches, downriggers, rod holders, steering cables, who knows what else, alot of crap for a 14' boat (and still more to do)!
When the OCA guys suggested June 25th as a day to hook up & butt fish the bay out of Richmond, I set my goal to have her ready for the water by then!
It took me til 10:30 the night before, but she was gassed up & ready!
Rolled into Richmond at 7:00 to meet up with my old bass fishing partner Steve, who I hadn't seen in about 4 years. Divorces, new marriages, & just life in general gets in the way sometimes!
Wind was already blowing more than forecast(a few days earlier), & my first thought was that I should have picked up that drift sock the other day!
Thought about scrapping the live bait idea & just trolling, but I didn't build and plumb my bait tank for it to sit dry! Besides I wanted the weight in her today........ I wanted to see how she handled with as much weight as she'll ever see. 12 gal. of fuel, 15 gal. of bait tank, & battery in the stern, about 520# of guys, plus anchor, cooler/ ice, & gear up front.
Dropped her in the water, motor fired right up and warmed up. Flipped on the bait pump & filled the tank. Stopped for a scoop on the way out, & when we passed the no wake zone I put the throttle down!
The mighty 35hp Evinrude took a few seconds to push all the weight onto plane (boy I miss power trim), but plane out she did!
Out to the break wall we ran, where I stopped to survey an already snotty bay. I jumped in back & trimmed down a notch, heading towards Berkley or Angel wasn't going to happen today. I pointed her towards Red Rock & once again put the throttle to her.
I decided to start around back so I could use the rock to block the wind while we rigged up, I showed Steve the program, & got a feel for the 14's drift.
We made a couple drifts & I decided I had to try my favorite spot out front.
We ran around into the slop, & just after we dropped in another boat trolled right into our fast drift & hooked up........... I'd have said something if it wasn't so comical to watch!
Big old Chris Craft, guy is hooked up & pumping the rod like he's on TV. Guy on the helm with one hand & trying to find the net that was in the cuddy with the other(Guess they didn't think you were going to catch anything?), & then the brilliant stabbing of the net not once but 3 times until they knocked the 12-15# butt off of the hook!
The whole time they are looking at us like "What the hell are you guys doing out here in that thing?"
When it was done we re-set.
I decided to bump it in reverse & see what happens. With the wind and current, idling in reverse sets us for a perfect drift.
Glad for a big splash well & dual bilge pumps!
Steve hooks up almost immediately!
The right kind coming up, & I grab the net........ it was then we realize that 520# on the same side of the boat might not be a good idea in the slop! Water almost over the side....... sure glad that there is plenty of freeboard in this little tin can!
Tell Steve to step back, & the fish pops off right below the boat! Damn!
I put the net down, pick up my rod & the mushy feeling takes a second to recognize........ Oh crap, I'm getting bit! Just as I go to feed some line I feel it pop I reel up my bait that was bit cleanly off just behind the head!
Double Damn! 2 opportunities blown in a matter of a minute!
Finish the drift, re- set a bit further up hill, and a few minutes later Steve is on again! This time I grab the gaff & tell him to step back when he sees the swivel in the water. A few seconds later the lucky 14 is christened with it's first fish slime as the 8# butt hits the deck!
We continued drifting the area for the next couple hours for a shark, a rockfish, & a couple of short lings.
Then it happened, as I was going to re-set & thinking about going to Paradise to get out of the wind, there was a clunk! Just one, almost like we hit something in both sound & feel. I back off & everything seems fine, I push the throttle & put a load on her & there it is again! Damn, that sounds like a lower unit!
We stay around the area for a few more drifts & it's really starting to get snotty!
I make a couple calls to make sure Bob & Dante know what's up, where we are & that I may need a hand.
It's nice to know guys have your back!
We head back in the slop, & though the clunk is there sporadicly, the mighty 35 pushes us back to the harbor with the Lucky 14 handling the slop like I knew she would!
Thanks for a great day guys, there are butts out there!
Was looking for a new duck boat when my wife stumbled on the deal for this 14' Starcraft w- 35hp Evinrude.
She traded an old non-opp 78 Camaro (6 banger) for it. She wanted the car gone & the guy wanted the boat gone...... works for me.
I'm pretty sure it's a Holiday, but any input is welcome.
Here's a report from her first run last week:
Yes a fishing report from me (ok fishing/catching was involved in my boat report)!
Been puting together an old 14' Starcraft runabout for awhile now.
Between the boat, work, & honey do's, I haven't seen the water.
I stripped her down to the hull inside, added drainage holes to every rib, some new braces, new deck, dual bilge pumps, bait pump, wiring, switches, downriggers, rod holders, steering cables, who knows what else, alot of crap for a 14' boat (and still more to do)!
When the OCA guys suggested June 25th as a day to hook up & butt fish the bay out of Richmond, I set my goal to have her ready for the water by then!
It took me til 10:30 the night before, but she was gassed up & ready!
Rolled into Richmond at 7:00 to meet up with my old bass fishing partner Steve, who I hadn't seen in about 4 years. Divorces, new marriages, & just life in general gets in the way sometimes!
Wind was already blowing more than forecast(a few days earlier), & my first thought was that I should have picked up that drift sock the other day!
Thought about scrapping the live bait idea & just trolling, but I didn't build and plumb my bait tank for it to sit dry! Besides I wanted the weight in her today........ I wanted to see how she handled with as much weight as she'll ever see. 12 gal. of fuel, 15 gal. of bait tank, & battery in the stern, about 520# of guys, plus anchor, cooler/ ice, & gear up front.
Dropped her in the water, motor fired right up and warmed up. Flipped on the bait pump & filled the tank. Stopped for a scoop on the way out, & when we passed the no wake zone I put the throttle down!
The mighty 35hp Evinrude took a few seconds to push all the weight onto plane (boy I miss power trim), but plane out she did!
Out to the break wall we ran, where I stopped to survey an already snotty bay. I jumped in back & trimmed down a notch, heading towards Berkley or Angel wasn't going to happen today. I pointed her towards Red Rock & once again put the throttle to her.
I decided to start around back so I could use the rock to block the wind while we rigged up, I showed Steve the program, & got a feel for the 14's drift.
We made a couple drifts & I decided I had to try my favorite spot out front.
We ran around into the slop, & just after we dropped in another boat trolled right into our fast drift & hooked up........... I'd have said something if it wasn't so comical to watch!
Big old Chris Craft, guy is hooked up & pumping the rod like he's on TV. Guy on the helm with one hand & trying to find the net that was in the cuddy with the other(Guess they didn't think you were going to catch anything?), & then the brilliant stabbing of the net not once but 3 times until they knocked the 12-15# butt off of the hook!
The whole time they are looking at us like "What the hell are you guys doing out here in that thing?"
When it was done we re-set.
I decided to bump it in reverse & see what happens. With the wind and current, idling in reverse sets us for a perfect drift.
Glad for a big splash well & dual bilge pumps!
Steve hooks up almost immediately!
The right kind coming up, & I grab the net........ it was then we realize that 520# on the same side of the boat might not be a good idea in the slop! Water almost over the side....... sure glad that there is plenty of freeboard in this little tin can!
Tell Steve to step back, & the fish pops off right below the boat! Damn!
I put the net down, pick up my rod & the mushy feeling takes a second to recognize........ Oh crap, I'm getting bit! Just as I go to feed some line I feel it pop I reel up my bait that was bit cleanly off just behind the head!
Double Damn! 2 opportunities blown in a matter of a minute!
Finish the drift, re- set a bit further up hill, and a few minutes later Steve is on again! This time I grab the gaff & tell him to step back when he sees the swivel in the water. A few seconds later the lucky 14 is christened with it's first fish slime as the 8# butt hits the deck!
We continued drifting the area for the next couple hours for a shark, a rockfish, & a couple of short lings.
Then it happened, as I was going to re-set & thinking about going to Paradise to get out of the wind, there was a clunk! Just one, almost like we hit something in both sound & feel. I back off & everything seems fine, I push the throttle & put a load on her & there it is again! Damn, that sounds like a lower unit!
We stay around the area for a few more drifts & it's really starting to get snotty!
I make a couple calls to make sure Bob & Dante know what's up, where we are & that I may need a hand.
It's nice to know guys have your back!
We head back in the slop, & though the clunk is there sporadicly, the mighty 35 pushes us back to the harbor with the Lucky 14 handling the slop like I knew she would!
Thanks for a great day guys, there are butts out there!
I been in chop like that before, with a heavier wood hull boat. The chop makes your knees and legs feel like rubber for awhile when u get back to the dock... great pics.