New to boating

Good morning to all.

Let's be open and honest, regarding the above topic I am a complete novice. The angling side of things I feel I have some good information, however the boating area I am as uneducated as can be.

I would greatly appreciate some guidance as I am investigating making a considerable investment. Still need to get this past my better halve, but I am sure you have comprehension of the complications regarding that particular dynamic.

Let me give a broad requirement for your consideration and guidance. Also, if this has been discussed in threads, it would be greatly appreciated if you could guide me to the said thread as I do not expect anyone to supply already given guidance at nausea.
Broad requirements are the following:
1) Boat for inshore (Buffels and Cape Point). A few miles seaside of the point.
2) What is the best hull shape for stability during riding and while drifting? I realise that I might have to compromise, however stability during drifting and slow trolling is primary.
3) What boat length is appropriate?
4) What size motors and manufacturer, four stroke or 2-stroke, power, economy.
5) What electronics are best on the boat for my application i.e. sounder, plotter etc.
6) I like a centre console; it offers me 360° as I enjoy spinning and vertical jigging.
7) I do not need a live bait well.
8) How many rod holders, excluding the trolling ones that I will mount afterwards?
I know that there are many more considerations not addressed above, again your guidance, comments and arguments will be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards and happy fishing.
Pierre
0824566583

Lot's has been written both on Sealine and boatfishing.coza

But in brief:
Join a club (Cape Boat may be best considering the area).
Bum lots of rides with other skippers.
Check the running costs of boating (it is not cheap).
Check if you can stomach the early mornings, towing, dodgy seas, late nights etc (sounds weird but many of our guests duck as soon as we dock claiming seasickness / exhaustion).
Study basic rules online.
Do a Cat C ticket once you have the hours.

Then consider a boat.
1) Boat for inshore (Buffels and Cape Point). A few miles seaside of the point.
2) What is the best hull shape for stability during riding and while drifting? I realise that I might have to compromise, however stability during drifting and slow trolling is primary. A CAT
3) What boat length is appropriate? 5-6 METRES
4) What size motors and manufacturer, four stroke or 2-stroke, power, economy. 2 X 50-70HP 4 STROKES
5) What electronics are best on the boat for my application i.e. sounder, plotter etc. 2 X COMBO UNITS, 1 X 7" AND 1 X 5". ONE SET AS SOUNDER, ONE AS PLOTTER. REDUNDANCY IS KEY
6) I like a centre console; it offers me 360° as I enjoy spinning and vertical jigging. 100%
7) I do not need a live bait well. GET ONE ANYWAY, PERFECT TO KEEP CRAYFISH ALIVE IF NOTHING ELSE
8) How many rod holders, excluding the trolling ones that I will mount afterwards? ASSUME YOU FISH 3 UP. ON GOOD DAYS YOU WANT TO RUN FOR THE CLOSE IN TUNA. MAYBE STOP FOR TAIL ON THE WAY - 1 X TUNA BAIT, 1 X TUNA TROLL, 1 X JIGGING, 1 X TAIL SPINNING = 12 RODS PLUS ONE FOR YOUR GAFF WHEN THE FISHING IS HOT.

Probably the best recommendation now would be to join Cape Boat's Facebook page, wander down to the club on a steak night and introduce yourself. That should at least get you to meet the right people.

Good morning FIN-S,

Thank you very much for the reply, most informative.

I live this side of the 'boerewors curtain' i.e. Durbanville.
Any clubs nearby?

Which are the best sites to buy boats from/ reputable dealers etc?

Again, thank you very much for the reply, most appreciative.

Kind regards,
Pierre.

Where ever you are, you have to travel to the sea..Join the most popular club that is closest to the fishing grounds that are productive most of the year..I am still a novice myself but Fin-s gave you all the best advice..Lots to do before even considering a boat or where to purchase. Lots of time will be spent being chumboy and deck scrubber where you will have ample time to ask experienced skippers all the questions you still have to think about..

Best thing I ever did was to go to sea!

After a few years I still don't even consider buying a boat on my own..Experience can't be bought. I fish off experienced skippers vessels or I'd get into partnership with someone experienced.

Good morning Doc,

Good advice, thank you. Yeah, currently I'm in a quandary as I have a young son that I would like to take fishing. Originating from PE, where there are plenty fishing opportunities (all year round), Cape Town does not offer the same.
Thought by having a boat I could do this more frequently, summer and winter.
Maybe just me, but just do not feel right to ‘piggyback’ on someone else. Are there guys that you can have a standard arrangement with to take you on trips?
What type of fishing do they do as I am primarily an art lure and jigging man? If there is someone in Cape Town that I can partner with it would be fantastic.

Kind regards,
Pierre

I cut chum..and keep a steady 2-5 blocks a minute flowing hahaha and don't get seasick when we back @ land even though my back might be fooked I still try help and offload and scrub where I can, AND offer petrol cash..and I get invited back LOL. I was just lucky and found some like minded folk..thought I liked fishing Xy and Z and they exposed me to the ABC. Cannot substitute for experience. My two main skippers, one I trust with my life and I am a silent partner in a small skicraft cat that has slid many tails into the hatch! And the other skipper has been fishing the deep for a long time catching his first tuna more than 4 decades ago.

A few years ago I was all keen to get a boat. Now I realise what a pipedream that was with my NON or limited knowledge. Now I just have a 30w two speed loaded with 80lb braid, a spinning outfit for tail and a popping rig for the tuna and when the call comes to go to sea, make plan and be ready... you want to be the crew available at a moments notice, then you get called again. When I see quality sardines I stock up on as many 5kg's as my freezer can hold so when it comes to shortages like now, Im the guy going "I got nice bait, wanna go to sea"..But ja the offshore fishing in CT is world class once you tune in..tail are smaller than PE, quarter of the size, but the tuna are four times the size! You don't often see rugby fields of fish in PE but in CT I've seen quite a few..