Number of crew on vessels
Submitted by big john on Sat, 2009-01-24 22:46
Just wondering what other skippers thoughts are on how many crew they take on board their boats.
I've got a six metre ali with plenty of deck space but prefer to fish with only one or two deckies at the most. I like having room to move, especially when its my own boat. Obviously the day is a bit more expensive but everyone gets a greater share of the action.
What about you other skippers, do you do the same or am I just a selfish buggar?
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Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 01/01/70
same!
A good question John and only recenlty i was discussing the same thing!
Like yourself, i prefer one decky & myself but max 2 deckys on my 6.5m. I prefer to have deck space as you mentioned and confined boat space is my fav when fishing. Yes more $$ but my comfort comes over $$
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Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
One to two deckies if i am
One to two deckies if i am bottom bashing/drifting. But if i am up north gamefishing i prefer a crew of four. One to drive the boat, one to trace the fish, one to tag/gaff the fish, and one obviously fighting the fish. The boat i fish from is a 5.8m ali.
Sometimes i take a crew of three others with me bottom fishing, but usually in that case i dont fish, just drive the boat and get them onto the spots. Whenever i take my boat out, the catch is shared equally between all crew as i see that everyone has put in for the trip. Unless someone declines a portion of fish of course, then its redistrubuted.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
I'm not a skipper, just a
I'm not a skipper, just a deckie, but I dont think thats a selfish view. Having a max of 3 people usually works out to be a better fishing experience. No point packing the boat to its limit. I guess it works out to be a bit more per person, but fuel cost isnt all that much comparitively so even between two people and a big boat its not too bad (especially compared to a charter). Otherwise find deckies willing to go a bit over their equal share, or bring ice/bait ;)
That being said, the two best days I've had out had 4 people on board :p (in terms of fish and just having a good time)
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Faulkner Family
Posts: 17868
Date Joined: 11/03/08
we generally fish 3 or 4 as
we generally fish 3 or 4 as we fish as a family but as for deck space when you have the boat all sorted right its not too bad on ours being a 7mtr, but when there is only 2 or 3 on board it is easier , altho we can fish 5 , as far as cost goes , its a bit hard to charge the kids for their share lol
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Big J
Posts: 129
Date Joined: 16/12/07
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carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Crew
I've got a 5 metre centre console and only take one deckie.The only time I will yake more is when just mucking about catching tiddlers or crabbing in close.
Have had a lot of bigger boats up to 24ft and then only took two deckies when it was quite comfortable to fish 6,I don't know maybe its a comfort thing,not tripping over people when things get hectic,lines crossed and tangled etc
wrassinator
Posts: 554
Date Joined: 26/11/08
4.6m CC = 2 the usual rule,
4.6m CC = 2 the usual rule, 3 max. Primarilly about safety, comfort and functionality. Agree that the form of fishing/crabbin also dictates numbers to a degree.
bluebagger
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 21/10/08
3 max
I've got a 5.6 ali but its not real wide. 2 is good but can fish 3 quite comfortably. When trolling just take it in turns at driving. Buz ya got me thinking about taking out 3 mates and letting them do the fishing. I can let them fish while I have couple of beers. I can get one of to drive home while I have couple of beers. Get them to clean the fish while I have a couple of beers. Get them to clean the boat while I have a couple of beers. Then we can all sit down and have a couple of beers. And if all goes well I still get some fish.
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Stevef
Posts: 478
Date Joined: 27/02/08
I have a 5.3 Runabout and I
I have a 5.3 Runabout and I prefer to fish with one deckie as it balances the boat better and makes setting up the drift anchor easier. 3 blokes on board is not too bad when drifting and 4 is fine when fishing at anchor
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
depends
have taken out 4 people in my 4.6CC and no problem as I let them fish while I capatined.....but mostly myself or one other.
up north is always a 2 of us so we can split the cost of the trip
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Clewesy
Posts: 77
Date Joined: 21/12/08
Number of crew
Yeh got a 5.8m and only fish with one decky. Love the space although I do go out by myself a bit and have notices that less bait soaking the less I take home. Have taken comfortably 3 but I do like my space when relaxing. I don't think it's selfish and it doesn't sound like anyone else thinks that either, remembering that were all there to enjoy our time on the water.
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Spot on bluebagger. I just
Spot on bluebagger. I just get them to do all the work. All i do is provide the boat and the spots, hopefully some fish on them. Then sit back have a beer and watch the action. And if its a good day everyone goes home with some fish, or at least some funny stories!
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Yeah, good question John
I have a cuddy cab, so, for the length of the boat, the deck is compromised by the fordeck. It depends what type of fishing we are doing. I'm happy to take out 5 if we are just bread and butter fishing in shallow water. But if we are targetting bigger fish, especially when drifting, then it's 3. Usually, though, it's just me and Sandra and that gives us heaps of room.
I don't think you're selfish at all John. My thoughts are that a skipper puts a LOT of hard earned money and effort into his/her boat and has every right to decide how many he/she is taking out.
Colin Molloy
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