Fishing Offshore In Plate Boat

[DigFishing]

In the process of setting up my new ride, 5.10 Metre Plate Runabout with 4mm bottom & 3mm sides & 115hp Opti (specs below). Was hoping to go outside fishing from place like gold coast, mooloolaba, 1770, etc. (bloody everywhere).

Wondering how many people own & take boats of this size out, how far they safely venture, and how they handle.

Boat is 5.10 Metre Runabout
Beam: 2350mm
Freeboard: 680mm
Deadrise(Deg): 15
Material Bottoms: 4mm
Material Sides: 3mm
Transom: L/S
Max Transom Weight: 229Kg
Min Horsepower: 70Hp
Recomm Horsepower: 90Hp
Max Horsepower: 115Hp
Hull Weight: 560Kg (approx)
Max people - 5

Will also be fishing in the Moreton Bay, Sandy Straights etc, but curious to get feedback on outside fishing.

[Blackened]

G'day

Yes, the boat will be fine for that. Limitations would be range, weather and your ability or inability as a skipper.

Dave

[DigFishing]

Thanks Dave. Assuming my skills and knowledge improve adequately, and the weather is good, what sort of range would you limit this boat to in your opinion ?

Dave

[lethal098]

Dave, i have a 5.25 metre and i am always out the Barwon Banks or deep tempest, as was stated it comes down to weather and your ability, i would not hesitate in taking mine 50km off and sometimes more. How much fuel does she carry??? cheers Lee

[DigFishing]

Hi Lee,

It has 120litre tank.

Will have to see what sort of range I get from the Opti.

Cheers: Dave

[Blackened]

G'day

Dave, when working out range, some of the uys here will give you a pretty close estimate.

Remember the 1/3 out 1/3 back 1/3 reserve rule. Following this with your current tank, you would only like to see yourself using around 40L to get to your spots. Want more? consider running some jerries.

Dave

[DigFishing]

Yeah I was thinking I might have to take a couple of Jerry cans with me because I dont want to get caught out.

Dave

[STUIE63]

G'day

Dave, when working out range, some of the uys here will give you a pretty close estimate.

Remember the 1/3 out 1/3 back 1/3 reserve rule. Following this with your current tank, you would only like to see yourself using around 40L to get to your spots. Want more? consider running some jerries.

Dave
listen to this it is very smart advice .
Stuie

[levinge]

Dave, I would be opting to increase the tank size or consider a couple of jerries as a purchase for those big trip days...

As the other guys have stated, you are only limited to your experience as a skipper. Just remember it is better to air on the side of caution when planning a trip.

Any reason why you went with the Opti over others??

[timddo]

Mate

By the spec's looks like you are getting a Tabs 5.1 master series runabout,

I would opt for the self draining deck if you are heading offshore alot. I've got the the 5.45 but the ocean series one. Have taken the boat to deep tempest, 36th fatham. etc. I beleive you can upgrade ur tank to 150L. - i have a 150 L tank and she goes fine witha 115 2 stroke donk. Rang wise is aroudn the 200 Km Mark for safety reasons.

My old boat was a 4.85 Trailcraft freestyle and i took it almost everywhere

Tim

[Vitamin Sea]

Hi

With the 120 litre tank and the 115 Opti I would be very surprised if you did not get at least a 200 km range, more than likely around the 250 km's.

To give you an idea last week end I did about 155k's and used about 110 litres, thats with a 200 opti on a heavy glass boat fully loaded up with 3 POB, 12 knts of breeze with a metre and a bit of sea on ( pretty crappy )

Just remember, it's still a 16.5 foot boat, it can be a long way home, pick your days.

Cheers

Bill

[robothefisho]

Range for that boat would have to be up around 300km, which is a long way. 135 opti and 6m tinny from a 120l tank has a range of 240km with some reserve. Mind you have fuel monitoring so know exactly how much is left.

[lethal098]

dave, i have a 115 evinrude DI on mine(not ETEC) and i use approx 50 litres for 120-130km last few trips and a little less on the better days. Never used more than half a tank in mine but usually i carry 20 just in case, it is a long way home in a strong breeze. cheers Lee

[wrxhoon]

At ideal cruise of say 4-4500 rpm and with the right prop you should be able to do at least 3km per lt .
Don't forget that you will use double that amount if your are on-off plane because the conditions don't allow you .
If you have smartcraft you will see what I mean .
Optis are very good on fuel and very frugal at trolling speed.

I have a 200 Opti pushing a 21ft Trophy and I get 1.5 -1.8k per lt , the boat weighs around the 2300 kg with fuel, gear and 3 people on board .

I can troll at 500-600 rpm using 1 lt per hour .

[DigFishing]

I have ordered smartcraft instuments so that I can monitor the fuel use.

I want to say thanks again to everyone so far, your feedback has been outstanding and very encouraging,

Cheers Guys: Dave

[siegfried]

The range of a boat with an opti on the back is only limited by the amount of rowing you are are prepared to do;D ;D ;D

[siegfried]

Oops, but if you unbolt it quick and tie a rope to it before chuckin it ya shouldnt move too far from some dude with a suzuki to tow ya in

[Vitamin Sea]

The range of a boat with an opti on the back is only limited by the amount of rowing you are are prepared to do;D ;D ;D

I take it that you don't like the Opti's to much siegfried;D


8-)

[Redrocks]

My brother has a Trailcraft 5.3 Profish fitted with a 115 Opti. Spinning a 17 inch 4 blade solas, it is a very fuel efficient outboard that will purr like a kitten all day. It will do a 100nm trip on less than 100 litres of fuel, cruising at about 4500 - 5000rpm, with 3 guys, fishing gear and 3 full jerry cans on deck. Not sure if that is outstanding or not, but it sure impressed us at the time.

You should get a lot better economy from the 5.1 because it should be lighter.

The main limitation we found in using the boat in this application, (and your intended use), is the long, rough trip home if it blows up a bit. That is our own fault, they aren't designed for extended comfortable offshore cruising. That's why I bought a Signature.

[death_ship]

ya need a sea anchor, keeps the bow into the waves when the motor stops working, stern or beam on in 20+ knots is scary when your motor is not going and the anchor wont hold.
which end is the clean end of a turd? sigfried, ?

[robothefisho]

Oops, but if you unbolt it quick and tie a rope to it before chuckin it ya shouldnt move too far from some dude with a suzuki to tow ya in
Could probably row back in by the time a suzuki got there.