After a painful and seemingly interminable delay, the port screw *finally* got the work it needed done. I posted a gripe about MC mechanics and their consistent failures to follow through and do the work as agreed to some time back, but am learning right quick that many marine mechs seem to be right up there in the shytbird category. Pinning my blood pressure ain't good for me, but I'll find a proper one at some point, maybe...

Still need to get some electronics wiring handled, but we finally got her hull wet in the Atlantic today. With the combined 400 horses pushing her, we cruised at 39 without breaking too much of a sweat pointed at Portugal for a brief time. Love the rig, and again, so does the lass, and that makes me a right happy chappie.

And no, STX, I left the rods at the barn. Just a shakedown/trial run.













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Seriously cool!!!

Nice! When do I get a ride?

I like it! Looks like your haveing a Good time wishing you the best of Luck with Her!

Cool KG, when ya gonna bring in a big Tuna?

My buddy Pogie Mike, tuna skipper extraordinaire, one of the guys I had take the lads out a few months back for bass, got an 82" fish today in Cape Cod bay. Went just shy of 400 lbs. Helluva fisherman it takes to find, hook, fight, harpoon and land a fish of that caliber solo. Remember, when alone, on top of doing all of the above, someone has to still drive the boat... Chinese firedrill city.

I'm loaded with 180 gallons of fuel, and with fair seas, my electronics all set and some luck, hopefully before November.

Thanks for the words, gents.

Needs a harpoon gun - if just for looks....

seriously cool

Very nice

Cool!

No doubt. I've never run a real 'poon gun, of course, and have no idea how accurate they are, but I'm guessing I could probably manage to punch a hole in one, as long as they were fairly close. Maybe like this close. From the 'if only' files. That humpy damn near had my pumper skipping beats when he surfaced within maybe ten feet of us.



PM owns a proper stickboat, and has skewered some, but has had more success running R and R as yet. Spotter planes ain't a cheap expenditure... The one in back is his. Working boat. It's a bit loud trying to get a decent nap in the engine room, what with the big diesel running, but with the proper skill set it can be done. Or so I am told.





But back to reality for a sec, I've got friends who hunt tuna, amongst other feesh, for a living. I've been fortunate enough to have been the man on the crank a number of times. It's like no other kind of fishing I've ever experienced, that's certain. Here's Mike and my boy Davey with a thousand plus pound beast from two years ago. I was asked along, but bagged it that day. Painful happiness is not just something you read about.

Hey brother say hello to Mike, Davey and Chris for me. Them guys are pure gold! As are you and your better half. Envious as can be on the boat!

Thanks for the great story and pics, Kamo.

Looks nice.

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Will do. I've got a date next week with the lads.

She's a beaut, Skipper! First mate ain't bad either!

I'll bet you've been itchin' to get underway before summer is over and weather starts to become an issue. She looks plenty seaworthy and ready for adventure!

I wish you fair seas and following winds...

Thank you, friend. And guilty. Been absolutely Jonesing to get on the hunt, but as you well know, some things are not to be according to silly things like desire and wants, and won't be rushed. Better safe than sorry? GD right. The marina owner is a good shyt, and a fisherman (but I repeat myself ), and while most members will be getting wrapped and put on jack stands/other by early October, I've been assured that a few folks are allowed to stay wet until mid-November. I'm too new to this vessel to even think about heading out into angry, autumn New England seas, but with some luck and with Ma Nature's grace, will stick it out as long as I can, seeing about knuckling up with Mr. Thunnus thynnus, size XL. But then, I guess with tunoids it's all the same, from bonito to albacore to YF...

you hiring help? i need something to do

Nice thread!

At first, I thought it was going to be about the ill fated Minnow ....

Seems like most boats one sees out there are mostly just used to puddle around on weekends. OTOH I suspect your'n is gonna be worked to the max to the limits of its design specs.

Congrats

What's the chances of motoring that thing down here to the Gulf anyways? Is there some sort of "econo cruise mode"?

Birdwatcher

Cool good luck with the rig Gary.
I think I've seen that boat ET in the Fishers Is. Race a long time ago

Very cool, Leighton!

I do have to disagree about leaving the rods behind. Kind of like taking a rifle for a walk in the woods but leaving the ammo at home. Even if it's not hunting season, there's just something missing.

Bon voyages, Mon Ami!

Ed

Congrats!

Nothing like a maiden voyage, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to wet a line.

Congratulations! I have to say I envy you. I love boats and the ocean, but it's pretty hard to consummate that love here at 5,000 feet in Nevada.

I once got to haul my seaworthy boats over the hill and to Bodega Bay, but gas prices put the kibosh on it, and I get seasick with my bad ears these last few years. So, I look forward to your reports and photos more and more here. Keep them coming!

Sweet boat L, congrats to you and the little lady.

Congrats Captain Gari !!!

I'm soo jealous.

Thanks to all for the well wishes. I hope and trust we have both the health and freedom to enjoy our watery chariot for many years to come. Already we've started making good memories on her, and as this is the vessel I caught my first tuna ever aboard her, more than a decade ago, figure the fishy karma is there too.

KG: I usually enjoy your posts�but this one�.taking out a boat and NOT fishing!

WTF?

Leighton, once again you show that you truly know who to live life. My best wishes for many years of enjoyment with the boat. Best, John

Beautiful boat!

Congrats to you and your lady!

I gotta ask about the ET though? Looks like a custom built boat?

100% cool! Enjoy!!

Looking great L. Can't wait to see the pics of your fish on the deck.

Very, very cool Leighton!
I'm certain you will put that fishing machine to proper use in the years to come.

I've spent many days fishing on the Great Lakes, and just a little in the salt in Alaska.
I'd love to try some of that Atlantic Ocean fishing someday.

I know, I know. Trust me, it pained me to not even try to get a fish to chew, but for a rare occasion tried to do soimething smart and chose to concentrate on running the boat exclusively rather than risk disaster. I had a vision of us hooking a giant bass, and me leaving the helm to tear the rod out of the lassie's hands, and not paying enough attention to the giant granite blocks running along the mouth of the mighty Merrimack. It would have been an inauspicious beginning running aground on the first outing. I think I made a smart call, and rare though it is, am OK with it. Disappointing the GP has me hanging my head in shame, though...

Thanks to you and all the other lads who chimed in with the congrats and support.

OK then�


Next post I expect to see massive fish, bloody decks and awesome food pics!

Mary Ann was on FOX and Friends this morning...looking good..

I will do my very best to abide by your wishes, Mr. G. Poobs.

Mary Ann was always where it was at as far as the gang on the Minnow. I wouldn't have booted Ginger out of the hammock, mind, but anyone not seeing that Mary Ann was the true prize couldn't see the trees for the palm fronds and coconuts.

Not positive on the make, but looks like a Carolina style express rig to me. That's a LOT of boat.

Birdy, my rig, assuming flattish seas and a cooperative wind has an approximate range of 300 miles. I've never been out on any long distance interstate runs, and likely won't, but have friends who have.

There are more than a few guys with the sufficient bucks (read as lots) to have skippers for hire run their rigs from FL to New England and vice versa every season. Fish up here early June-September or October or thereabouts, then hire a guy to run it back down for good fishing down that way from October-May. Then back up. Some only run as far down as the Carolinas, where there is often a monster winter bite for giants.

Nice to have a few bucks, and the time to fish year round up and down the eastern seaboard, I guess.