What's Odd About This Boat ?
Mar 26, 2024 12:19:48 #
Earnest Botello wrote:
Great find, Tom, never seen anything like it, I come from a fishing town. I doubt that it is used for shrimping, no outriggers, the motor is to far forward for any fast maneuvering, for shallow water use, yes, some kind of fishing boat.
Great point, Earnest, about the lack of outriggers. Dano mentioned the possibility of casting a net for shrimp. That idea also has merit.
Mar 26, 2024 12:53:46 #
Note that there are two white panels on the stern near the tie down davits. Those could well be live bait wells. I'm now thinking that the boat could well satisfy the fisherman ( in protected waters ) and also casting a net for shrimp.
Some of you may remember me posting about a fraternity brother who had a Jaguar XK 150 and how we would occasionally swap cars for a day or two. His parents had a home on the St,Jouns River with about a 50 ft, dock. If it was a good season and the shrimp were really running, several of us would take cast nets and a big #2 wash tub out on the dock. About 30 minutes prior to throwing nets, we put out bait balls...about 6 feet of water. We caught them one night and, with three of us throwing, we absolutely filled that huge tub to the top. It was all two of us could do to pick it up. If we hadn't gotten into a drinking contest with the devil, we could have done even better.
Some of you may remember me posting about a fraternity brother who had a Jaguar XK 150 and how we would occasionally swap cars for a day or two. His parents had a home on the St,Jouns River with about a 50 ft, dock. If it was a good season and the shrimp were really running, several of us would take cast nets and a big #2 wash tub out on the dock. About 30 minutes prior to throwing nets, we put out bait balls...about 6 feet of water. We caught them one night and, with three of us throwing, we absolutely filled that huge tub to the top. It was all two of us could do to pick it up. If we hadn't gotten into a drinking contest with the devil, we could have done even better.
Mar 26, 2024 14:20:58 #
jederick wrote:
Could be used for Tarpon fly fishing in shallow water...from the rear platform.
Hey! That's what I was going to say! I've heard that fine minds think alike!!
Mar 26, 2024 15:01:26 #
The well seems so small that the motor would never be run lower onto the water and due to this and it's central location the motor would not be used to steer.. There is probably a rudder further back.
Mar 26, 2024 15:01:34 #
The well seems so small that the motor would never be run lower onto the water and due to this and it's central location the motor would not be used to steer.. There is probably a rudder further back.
Mar 26, 2024 21:53:36 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Hey! That's what I was going to say! I've heard that fine minds think alike!!
You guys are right. That would make a great tarpon boat, and snook boat as well. We were fishing for tarpon down in the " Ten Thousand Island " area near the western tip of Florida. Late one afternoon, tarpon started rolling all around our boat. We couldn't get them to hit any bait we threw at them. But, If I had had a hand-thrown grapple hook, I could have loaded the boat with them. That's the only time I've seen a sight like that.
Mar 27, 2024 02:35:00 #
black mamba wrote:
I'm no stranger to boats. But I've never seen one like this. It's obviously a special-purpose boat....the purpose for this rig is alien to me.
Found this in the net after a quick search:
https://www.nationalfisherman.com/boats-gear/boat-of-the-month-peter-darnas-mullet-boat
Also mullet skiff:
https://www.reddit.com/r/boatbuilding/comments/n4r4na/mullet_skiff/?rdt=47279
Mar 27, 2024 07:26:40 #
black mamba wrote:
You make the same observations and draw the same conclusions as I did. Even at slow speeds, the handling would be a bit strange to me. The directional response and control is an issue I'd sure have to get used to.
Thanks for looking in and commenting.
Tom
Thanks for looking in and commenting.
Tom
This boat has been driving me nuts. I can't find a single similar vessel anywhere on the internet. I'll bet the boat was a one-off production. The hull is steel evidenced by the rust, the platform astern looks to be a work station and not a casting platform (slippery steel plate) and one heck of a 90 HP motor for the size of the boat combined with the motor's position. That boat must shudder like heck under full throttle. But, if it's a work boat ,what's up with the tower?
Mar 27, 2024 07:28:08 #
Mr. B wrote:
This boat has been driving me nuts. I can't find a single similar vessel anywhere on the internet. I'll bet the boat was a one-off production. The hull is steel evidenced by the rust, the platform astern looks to be a work station and not a casting platform (slippery steel plate) and one heck of a 90 HP motor for the size of the boat combined with the motor's position. That boat must shudder like heck under full throttle from the prop wash. But, if it's a work boat ,what's up with the tower?
Mar 27, 2024 09:11:39 #
photon-collector
Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Around the Tampa Bay Area, similar designs are used by cast net fishermen to catch mullet. The fisherman stands on the raised rear platform, with unobstructed access to casting the large nets. The "flying bridge" would be helpful in locating the mullet, which typically school near the surface of the water. I don't see as many mullet in the bay as when I was younger, but they are still there.
Mar 27, 2024 10:43:18 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
black mamba wrote:
I'm no stranger to boats. But I've never seen one like this. It's obviously a special-purpose boat....the purpose for this rig is alien to me.
Commercial fishing of some type. Probably can rotate/pivot point from center to the rear of the boat which looks to me like it has a holding tank & maybe working off the stern. The raised platform/helm for looking down on the operations while some is working nets or bait/shrimp/crab traps. Just me guessing.
Mar 27, 2024 13:06:03 #
I appreciate member Wallen digging up info and pictures about mullet boats. Maybe that's the right name for them. But they are certainly multi-functional. They would make an excellent platform to cast for shrimp as well as fishing in suitable waters.
I've really enjoyed everyone's participation in solving the mystery. Thanks to all.
I've really enjoyed everyone's participation in solving the mystery. Thanks to all.
Mar 27, 2024 14:37:02 #
Perhaps that it has an inboard engine and that Yamaha is there just in case?
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