Ocean sportfishing boat

[chasntail]

I am looking at a 1984 55' ocean sport fishing boat. I have several questions regarding this boat. This would be my first sportfishing boat purchase so I am fairly new to this style boat. First of all does anyone know how well these boats ride in the open ocean? secondly I would like to change the color of the boat now with that said is that a paint or is it gel coat? I am not sure what gel coat is exactly. My third question is how hard is it to install a reverse osmosis system? Thank you for any replies

Adam

 

[sasto]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

Are you thinking 55' Ocean Yacht Sportfishing boat? If so, Yes they can handle the ocean, to a certain point. Origionally was gelcoat boat. A 55' Ocean Yacht Sportfish will carry about 200 gallons of freshwater. That should be plenty. Installing a watermaker is fairly simple, maintaining one is more difficult. I've been on several of these boats. What's your location and what will she be used for?

 

[chasntail]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

Yes it is a sport fishing yacht. the reason I am asking about the water system is that my wife and are looking to travel around on it and when i was in the military some of the third world countries did not have the best of water. so I am concerned with running out if I do not port in a "safe" port. I am in Pa now but looking to move to Florida. her main use will be for fishing offshore with vacations down in the Caribbean. The reason I am asking is I found one for sale that is reasonable price it has everything we want but needs interior renovations and a new paint job we dislike the color.

 

[sasto]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

I don't drink tank water from any boat myself, whether it is from reverse osmosis or dockside. To many things grow in there. I have traveled the Carib extensively and have not had water problems. YET! Take plenty of drinking water.

From my house to the Bahamas is 62 miles. Come on down and lets go fishing. If you need help in the future getting your boat to FL, drop me a note.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

A reverse osmosis system is an easy install. The filters are easily replaced. The problem lies with production:waste. You'll want to put the R/O water into your tank as opposed to making R/O water from your tank. Have you ever seen an R/O system working? The "clean" water drips out, while the "waste" water flows freely out the waste line. If you have a system which makes 35 gallons per day, the waste water is more than 100 gallons. Listen to Sasto... Bring plenty of bottled water on your voyages. With the R/O system, you can bottle your own at home. I've been using R/O systems for more than 20 years, for aquariums. They are simple to install and use. Don't use the waste water to water plants. It's extremely mineral rich, and will end up doing a lot of harm. Plants love R/O water. It's as pure as rain in the mountains.

 

[sasto]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

It's as pure as rain in the mountains.

Good points you made veritas honus, and your statements are correct for your area.

Having used watermakers in the Carib this is not always the case. The stuff that goes into marinas and bays will scare you and clog up filters and membranes which takes away time for happy hour. If you don't use the watermaker daily then more maintenance is required. Water should be made at sea and away from some of the islands.

That said...It is a debate that goes on and on between captains. Some can't go without one, some won't have one onboard. I sometimes pay upwards of $.50 a gallon for dock water. Watermaker water has cost me nearly a $1.00 a gallon due to initial cost of about $3000.00 and maintenance costs. I still won't drink it. Good for washing the boat, leaves her spotless. That's just my opinion. Funny how I will drink the beer made from a reverse osmosis desalinization plant but not the onboard watermaker. Now I make no sence!

Either way...
Good Luck!

 

[jcupo6]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

Are you only concerned with drinking water? This may be dumb as I have no experience with yachts, but why not just get an electric water cooler, and just bring a couple jugs if you're gonna be away for awhile?

 

[chasntail]

Re: Ocean sportfishing boat

Good points you made veritas honus, and your statements are correct for your area.

Having used watermakers in the Carib this is not always the case. The stuff that goes into marinas and bays will scare you and clog up filters and membranes which takes away time for happy hour. If you don't use the watermaker daily then more maintenance is required. Water should be made at sea and away from some of the islands.

That said...It is a debate that goes on and on between captains. Some can't go without one, some won't have one onboard. I sometimes pay upwards of $.50 a gallon for dock water. Watermaker water has cost me nearly a $1.00 a gallon due to initial cost of about $3000.00 and maintenance costs. I still won't drink it. Good for washing the boat, leaves her spotless. That's just my opinion. Funny how I will drink the beer made from a reverse osmosis desalinization plant but not the onboard watermaker. Now I make no sence!

Either way...
Good Luck!

well I was aware that you cant make water in port. From my understanding it all has to do with water depth and things of that nature. I appreciate the pointers though. I am not real keen of the R/O plants because the salt content is high. We had an evaporator in the military and that was the best drinking water I ever had. I left before they switched to a R/O so I do not know what it tastes like. I will keep these ideas in mind though. it might be best to just bring lots of jugs of water.