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Author Topic:   Montauk Dreams

Traveller posted 08-06-2001 11:10 PM ET (US)
I have a dream, and I would like any or all of the members of this forum to help me make it a reality - or convince me that I'm crazy for even suggesting this idea.
First some background info. I live in the mountains of NC and have a 22' center console boat that weighs almost 3500 lbs. I compete in kingfish tournaments in the SKA Division 5 in NE Florida every summer, trailering my boat about 8,000 miles per year. My truck is getting old, and I am being eaten up with boat expenses.
Now the dream. I would like to sell my boat, purchase a Montauk, and modify it to be a kingish boat. I am not concerned with speed, but it would have to have enough power to get the boat on plane with a full load. I have competed against factory=sponsored teams long enough to know that they run over a lot of great fish at 60 mph on their way to someplace else.
The boat would need a 20-25 gallon livewell, downriggers, six rod holders, as large a gas tank as can be safely mounted on a Montauk, and a trailer capable of carrying the boat on thousand mile round trips every other week.
Any advice would be appreciated. Please be specific about how and where to mount things like downriggers, rod holders, livewell, etc. I have loved the Classic Whalers since I was a kid living on Long Island Sound in the 60's. I truly believe that if a Montauk could be turned into a mini-tournament boat, that I could be competitive with it. Thanks.
Traveller
Mullet posted 08-07-2001 10:06 AM ET (US)
Traveller, you sure do ask a lot but a couple of suggestions. I sold a Montauk a few years ago that had a custom 40 gallon fuel tank that just fit under the seat. I could go all day. I think the Montauk is 100 max hp and that is what I would go for. Merc is my choice but I am sure I will hear about it from the sake burners and Johnrudes. You could remove the cooler seat and put your livewell there with a cooler rigged foward over the front hatch.
Another suggestion. Once saw a boat in Florida that had a custom console with fuel tank and cooler built in and no seat. You could go with this type rig but add a leaning post/live well where the seat was. Be careful, there ain't much to hook to on a Montauk deck. By the way, where in NC? I am in Statesville.
Mullet posted 08-07-2001 10:07 AM ET (US)
P.S. I used perko rail mount rod holders and you can put several on the gunwale rails. There is another post going about how to mount your downriggers. Just my .02.
andygere posted 08-07-2001 11:48 AM ET (US)
A 90-100 hp 4-stroke would give you the power and fuel economy you need. I would suggest fabricating a structure in front of the console that has an auxialliary fuel tank under (18 or 25 gallon Tempo?) and the livewell above. This keeps the extra weight centered and off the stern. The fuel line could be cleanly routed through the tunnel. Dick has a slick downrigger setup on the rails of his Montauk that is compact and out of the way. See other posts in the forum for more info. Another thought: an 18 Outrage would give you lots more room, and not beat you up too much more trailering. The built-in fuel tank and room for a really big livewell are both nice aspects of the 18. Good luck, and send pics to the forum!
Sam Collins posted 08-07-2001 12:43 PM ET (US)
Somewhere long ago their was a link within the forum for a Company that took whalers and converted them similar to what you are wanting to do.... Just can't remember where.. Perhaps someone else can.
Traveller posted 08-07-2001 07:11 PM ET (US)
Mullet - I live in Asheville. I pull my boat from here to Jacksonville, FL several times every year. I have a galvanized trailer that is onits last legs. Rust is creeping about here and there all over the trailer. I'll want an "overkill" aluminum trailer for the Montauk when I finally make the switch. Any suggestions in that line?
Thanks to all who have responded so far. You make me think my dream may be do-able after all. I never thought about mounting a livewell in front of the console - great idea! I'll hunt for the downrigger thread.
Traveller
hardensheetmetal posted 08-07-2001 07:32 PM ET (US)
Traveller-
Here is your Montauk, with the overbuilt aluminum trailer, thought this might be close to what you're looking for
http://www.boattraderonline.com/addetail.html?1253335
Dan
Wild Turkey posted 08-09-2001 10:24 AM ET (US)
I agree with Andy... I think you would be better served with a 18' Outrage.
I have a Montauk (I think Andy is an owner as well) but, I really think the Outrage is a better open water boat. I don't think it weighs a great deal more than the 17'. In fact I see most 18's with single axle trailers.
Great point about running over a lot of great fish at 60 mph on their way to someplace else. When I was a kid, my brother caught a 45+ lb king off a pier that was on Pensacola Bay.
Chris

dann2015 posted 08-11-2001 12:00 PM ET (US)
I don't think a Montauk 17 could be competitive in the kingfish circuit. I have a custom rigged Newport 17 that I use for kingfishing whenever I get a chance and whenever the weather cooperates. Off of SC, that equates to about 5 times a year. Usually it is just too rough and even when I do go I get beat to death. I love the boat though, but it's just not made to run offshore in any kind of chop whatsoever. I've thought about fishing tournaments, but those 2 day affairs never seem to fall on those days w/ 10 kt winds and 2 ft seas. Might be possible in Florida where it's calmer and you can fish close to shore, but I don't think you could consistently fish tournaments in a 17 here in SC. Sounds like my boat is rigged about like what you are picturing. My boat is a 1988 custom rigged w/ a center console, Lee's rodholders in the gunwales, brand new leaning post w/ rocket launchers, 2000 aluminum trailer, 1999 90 hp Yamaha, downriggers, 2001 Pate 27 gallon tank, 30 gallon livewell, dual batteries, etc. With all the weight of fishing tackle, fuel (including 2 - 6 gallon cans for long offshore runs), a full livewell, ice, etc., the boat just doesn't ride well at all and takes on a lot of water when trolling in choppy seas. After a day of pounding around offshore my legs and back ache for about 2 days, and I'm a healthy 22 year old. You're welcome to come down to SC and fish w/ me sometime and I'm sure that will change your mind. Or if not, I will gladly trade you for your 22 ft. CC.
Traveller posted 08-11-2001 09:11 PM ET (US)
I admit that I have never fished off the coast of SC. All the kingfishing I have done has been off the coast of NE Florida in the summertime. This year, I finished 9th in the under 23 class, and will go to Ft. Pierce for the SKA National Championships. In previous years, I've finished in the top twenty in five tournaments with fish caught along the beach withing ten miles of the tournament site. I plan to continue to fish for kingfish in Florida, for obvious reasons.
I took my boat to Lake James today and ran around for awhile. I burned $40 worth of gas in the boat in three hours, my truck almost overheated coming back up the mountain, and two of the hubs on the trailer were too hot to touch when I got home. (Looks like I've found a job for next week-end!) Anyway - I still believe a Montauk can be competitive in NE Florida, and would certainly be easier to pull up and down the mountains to get to the local lakes. I'll fish my 22' in Ft. Pierce in December, then I'm 95% sure I'll try to find a Montauk to modify before the summer of 2002.
I appreciate all the honest responses to my question. Thanks!
alvispollard posted 08-13-2001 10:48 PM ET (US)
Traveller, I have the boat for you. '90 montauk with '97 100 hp mercury mariner and 2001 Yamaha T8 high thrust kicker. 28 gallon tank under seat and 3 gallon tank for kicker. 14 gallon livewell between seat and console that captain rides on. 3 rail mounted stainless rod holders and 1 rod holder on railmounted scotty down rigger. Gps, fishfinder, and ship to shore radio with 8' antenna. 1100 gph bilge pump with 500 gph backup. 350 gph pump for kodiak circular livewell that holds 18 pogies all day. Wm. J. Mills top with full enclosure (makes for a dry boat on the worst day). 72 quart cooler in front of livewell with cushion. 6 rod holders in front of cc behind backrest. This setup will go offshore 20-25 miles and troll 6-8 hours on kicker. You do not even have to look at fuel guages or worry. Boat will run 40 mph in 1' chop or 30 mph in 2' or 25 mph in 3'. Very practical kingfishing boat for tournament or anytime. The first SKA tournament this year off NC was won by a party on a 17' Key West, the winning king was caught 3 miles outside Bogue Inlet. 30-60' boats ran 50-75 miles offshore. Long galvanized trailer. If you are interested in boat, call me at 7404461325 late at night (10-12pm). Not looking to sell but will entertain reasonable offer.
Traveller posted 08-13-2001 11:30 PM ET (US)
alvispollard - Your boat sounds very nice. I am commited to fishing the SKA Nationals in my present boat. I will list my boat in the Western NC, SC, and GA Boat Trader as soon as the tournament is over in early December. I have to sell it before I can do anything about a Montauk. I'll keep you in mind.

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Author	Topic: Montauk Dreams
Traveller	posted 08-06-2001 11:10 PM ET (US) I have a dream, and I would like any or all of the members of this forum to help me make it a reality - or convince me that I'm crazy for even suggesting this idea. First some background info. I live in the mountains of NC and have a 22' center console boat that weighs almost 3500 lbs. I compete in kingfish tournaments in the SKA Division 5 in NE Florida every summer, trailering my boat about 8,000 miles per year. My truck is getting old, and I am being eaten up with boat expenses. Now the dream. I would like to sell my boat, purchase a Montauk, and modify it to be a kingish boat. I am not concerned with speed, but it would have to have enough power to get the boat on plane with a full load. I have competed against factory=sponsored teams long enough to know that they run over a lot of great fish at 60 mph on their way to someplace else. The boat would need a 20-25 gallon livewell, downriggers, six rod holders, as large a gas tank as can be safely mounted on a Montauk, and a trailer capable of carrying the boat on thousand mile round trips every other week. Any advice would be appreciated. Please be specific about how and where to mount things like downriggers, rod holders, livewell, etc. I have loved the Classic Whalers since I was a kid living on Long Island Sound in the 60's. I truly believe that if a Montauk could be turned into a mini-tournament boat, that I could be competitive with it. Thanks. Traveller
Mullet	posted 08-07-2001 10:06 AM ET (US) Traveller, you sure do ask a lot but a couple of suggestions. I sold a Montauk a few years ago that had a custom 40 gallon fuel tank that just fit under the seat. I could go all day. I think the Montauk is 100 max hp and that is what I would go for. Merc is my choice but I am sure I will hear about it from the sake burners and Johnrudes. You could remove the cooler seat and put your livewell there with a cooler rigged foward over the front hatch. Another suggestion. Once saw a boat in Florida that had a custom console with fuel tank and cooler built in and no seat. You could go with this type rig but add a leaning post/live well where the seat was. Be careful, there ain't much to hook to on a Montauk deck. By the way, where in NC? I am in Statesville.
Mullet	posted 08-07-2001 10:07 AM ET (US) P.S. I used perko rail mount rod holders and you can put several on the gunwale rails. There is another post going about how to mount your downriggers. Just my .02.
andygere	posted 08-07-2001 11:48 AM ET (US) A 90-100 hp 4-stroke would give you the power and fuel economy you need. I would suggest fabricating a structure in front of the console that has an auxialliary fuel tank under (18 or 25 gallon Tempo?) and the livewell above. This keeps the extra weight centered and off the stern. The fuel line could be cleanly routed through the tunnel. Dick has a slick downrigger setup on the rails of his Montauk that is compact and out of the way. See other posts in the forum for more info. Another thought: an 18 Outrage would give you lots more room, and not beat you up too much more trailering. The built-in fuel tank and room for a really big livewell are both nice aspects of the 18. Good luck, and send pics to the forum!
Sam Collins	posted 08-07-2001 12:43 PM ET (US) Somewhere long ago their was a link within the forum for a Company that took whalers and converted them similar to what you are wanting to do.... Just can't remember where.. Perhaps someone else can.
Traveller	posted 08-07-2001 07:11 PM ET (US) Mullet - I live in Asheville. I pull my boat from here to Jacksonville, FL several times every year. I have a galvanized trailer that is onits last legs. Rust is creeping about here and there all over the trailer. I'll want an "overkill" aluminum trailer for the Montauk when I finally make the switch. Any suggestions in that line? Thanks to all who have responded so far. You make me think my dream may be do-able after all. I never thought about mounting a livewell in front of the console - great idea! I'll hunt for the downrigger thread. Traveller
hardensheetmetal	posted 08-07-2001 07:32 PM ET (US) Traveller- Here is your Montauk, with the overbuilt aluminum trailer, thought this might be close to what you're looking for http://www.boattraderonline.com/addetail.html?1253335 Dan
Wild Turkey	posted 08-09-2001 10:24 AM ET (US) I agree with Andy... I think you would be better served with a 18' Outrage. I have a Montauk (I think Andy is an owner as well) but, I really think the Outrage is a better open water boat. I don't think it weighs a great deal more than the 17'. In fact I see most 18's with single axle trailers. Great point about running over a lot of great fish at 60 mph on their way to someplace else. When I was a kid, my brother caught a 45+ lb king off a pier that was on Pensacola Bay. Chris
dann2015	posted 08-11-2001 12:00 PM ET (US) I don't think a Montauk 17 could be competitive in the kingfish circuit. I have a custom rigged Newport 17 that I use for kingfishing whenever I get a chance and whenever the weather cooperates. Off of SC, that equates to about 5 times a year. Usually it is just too rough and even when I do go I get beat to death. I love the boat though, but it's just not made to run offshore in any kind of chop whatsoever. I've thought about fishing tournaments, but those 2 day affairs never seem to fall on those days w/ 10 kt winds and 2 ft seas. Might be possible in Florida where it's calmer and you can fish close to shore, but I don't think you could consistently fish tournaments in a 17 here in SC. Sounds like my boat is rigged about like what you are picturing. My boat is a 1988 custom rigged w/ a center console, Lee's rodholders in the gunwales, brand new leaning post w/ rocket launchers, 2000 aluminum trailer, 1999 90 hp Yamaha, downriggers, 2001 Pate 27 gallon tank, 30 gallon livewell, dual batteries, etc. With all the weight of fishing tackle, fuel (including 2 - 6 gallon cans for long offshore runs), a full livewell, ice, etc., the boat just doesn't ride well at all and takes on a lot of water when trolling in choppy seas. After a day of pounding around offshore my legs and back ache for about 2 days, and I'm a healthy 22 year old. You're welcome to come down to SC and fish w/ me sometime and I'm sure that will change your mind. Or if not, I will gladly trade you for your 22 ft. CC.
Traveller	posted 08-11-2001 09:11 PM ET (US) I admit that I have never fished off the coast of SC. All the kingfishing I have done has been off the coast of NE Florida in the summertime. This year, I finished 9th in the under 23 class, and will go to Ft. Pierce for the SKA National Championships. In previous years, I've finished in the top twenty in five tournaments with fish caught along the beach withing ten miles of the tournament site. I plan to continue to fish for kingfish in Florida, for obvious reasons. I took my boat to Lake James today and ran around for awhile. I burned $40 worth of gas in the boat in three hours, my truck almost overheated coming back up the mountain, and two of the hubs on the trailer were too hot to touch when I got home. (Looks like I've found a job for next week-end!) Anyway - I still believe a Montauk can be competitive in NE Florida, and would certainly be easier to pull up and down the mountains to get to the local lakes. I'll fish my 22' in Ft. Pierce in December, then I'm 95% sure I'll try to find a Montauk to modify before the summer of 2002. I appreciate all the honest responses to my question. Thanks!
alvispollard	posted 08-13-2001 10:48 PM ET (US) Traveller, I have the boat for you. '90 montauk with '97 100 hp mercury mariner and 2001 Yamaha T8 high thrust kicker. 28 gallon tank under seat and 3 gallon tank for kicker. 14 gallon livewell between seat and console that captain rides on. 3 rail mounted stainless rod holders and 1 rod holder on railmounted scotty down rigger. Gps, fishfinder, and ship to shore radio with 8' antenna. 1100 gph bilge pump with 500 gph backup. 350 gph pump for kodiak circular livewell that holds 18 pogies all day. Wm. J. Mills top with full enclosure (makes for a dry boat on the worst day). 72 quart cooler in front of livewell with cushion. 6 rod holders in front of cc behind backrest. This setup will go offshore 20-25 miles and troll 6-8 hours on kicker. You do not even have to look at fuel guages or worry. Boat will run 40 mph in 1' chop or 30 mph in 2' or 25 mph in 3'. Very practical kingfishing boat for tournament or anytime. The first SKA tournament this year off NC was won by a party on a 17' Key West, the winning king was caught 3 miles outside Bogue Inlet. 30-60' boats ran 50-75 miles offshore. Long galvanized trailer. If you are interested in boat, call me at 7404461325 late at night (10-12pm). Not looking to sell but will entertain reasonable offer.
Traveller	posted 08-13-2001 11:30 PM ET (US) alvispollard - Your boat sounds very nice. I am commited to fishing the SKA Nationals in my present boat. I will list my boat in the Western NC, SC, and GA Boat Trader as soon as the tournament is over in early December. I have to sell it before I can do anything about a Montauk. I'll keep you in mind.