Hear the term, “battlewagon,” and we envision a 50-foot Hatteras busting through the inlet easily parting whitecaps as they travel to distant canyons—an exciting scenario that starts the blood pumping and wishing we could be onboard. These sportfishing monsters are built to take on any seas, providing a safe platform for those seeking giants many miles from land and leaving those viewing from shore of dreaming of joining that small fraternity.
Unfortunately, 99 percent of the population, including me, cannot afford this type of boat let alone the slip, insurance, crew, and maintenance for one of these behemoths. I found little satisfaction being left on the beach and was determined to find a solution that would not involve selling the house, kids, and emptying our 401K. I really like our house.
My first option was OPB, (other people’s boats). I quickly found I needed a better set of friends as the best any of them could muster was a small bowrider. I decided the only way I was going to get off the beach and headed offshore was to buy my own “affordable battlewagon.” Chartering was not an option as I enjoy doing everything myself even if I don’t catch as many fish as the pros (or catch anything, as is more often the case, but I enjoy the challenge of going it alone).
An affordable battlewagon (that won’t sink)
Two words that should never appear together. As I still did not want to sell the house, I lowered the bar and went searching for an affordable boat that would get me there and back with emphasis on the back. I have owned 17 boats, including both power and sail, and have a decent idea of what constitutes a good boat to run 75 miles to Washington Canyon. The search was on for an “affordable battlewagon.”
A 50-footer would have been ideal, but my funds limited me to a new 232 Grady White Gulfstream from Tri-State Marine, a model that had almost a 20-year run with Grady-White and was a proven offshore vessel enjoying years of modifications from the engineers at Grady. The Gulfstream checked off all the items on my list as far as safety, capability, and affordability. Okay, semi-affordable.
Safety was my number one priority. The Coast Guard has a motto, “You have to go out but you don’t have to come back.” That is clearly not my motto as I place much importance on the coming back part. So does my wife. In 2005 I called her from the Berlin Hospital ER informing her that we had sunk a prior boat 45 miles off the coast. The boat we donated to Davey Jones was not a great or even good offshore boat, which taught me the importance of buying a quality boat that was up to the task at hand. I have owned many Gradys with numerous trips to the canyons as well as the Bahamas and have total confidence in their construction and seaworthiness which guided me on my search.
But a 23-foot Battlewagon? C’mon! I was sandbagging as it is actually 23.5 feet with a nine-foot, three-inch beam, a very large and heavy 23-footer that also has an engine bracket increasing the running bottom to 26 feet. Every foot makes a difference when you are 75 miles off the coast.
The Grady was almost ready for the canyons right from the factory with two large fish boxes each capable of holding six large tuna, 13 rod holders, a large livewell, and twin 200-hp Yamaha engines. I added outriggers and am able to troll seven to nine lines even with a moderate breeze. With a large gas tank holding 140 gallons, and at a 2.5 GPM burn, I can travel to any canyon and troll all day. I added digital radar that can detect birds, allowing me to find breaking bait (just like the big boys), and zero in on schools of fish. The cockpit might be a little tight but is very capable of handling a 250-pound bluefin or backing down on a white marlin.
Saving an arm and a leg
What am I missing compared to a true battlewagon? A flying bridge or tower to spot fish, advanced forward-looking sonar, and the tonnage to go out in any weather. This past fall I missed many days due to heavy wind where the larger boats enjoyed the October yellowfin run and the catch and release bluefin season. I am also missing the $5000 tab for filling the tanks and the $20,000 slip fees. I cannot take half a dozen friends with me as my little Grady maxes out around four anglers, which is all I can usually muster for a last-minute trip when the weather window opens.
Besides affordability, are there other benefits to a miniature sportfisherman? Mobility is a major plus as I trailered my Grady to Louisiana last year to fish the oil rigs off the coast. This June I will pull the boat to West Palm Beach and run 200 miles to Abaco where I will meet our family for our summer vacation. Maintenance is also much easier as I can wash, wax, change oil, etc. in my driveway. I dare anyone to tow their 50-footer behind their Tahoe!
I will admit I have to pick my days according to the weather. Fifteen knots of wind is above my comfort zone as I don’t like being pounded for hours. My ride, while not bad, is not the same as a larger boat, and I do have to carefully select my days to run offshore. But even with this limiting factor, I would not trade my mini-sportfisherman even if I came into additional funds.
This fishing boat is also our family cruiser spending most of its time on the Chesapeake where it can be enjoyed multiple times each week. The entire family enjoys countless hours cruising, swimming, skiing, tubing, and fishing in our local waters that I would never use a 50-footer for. To make this even more family friendly I had some custom welding done by Maryland Marine Fabrication (MMF) located in Benedict, MD. Frankie Sauder at MMF custom-built a backrest and footrest to complement the bow seating area as my wife missed our previous bowrider; not something you see on many sportfishermen.
Am I delusional? Perhaps, but I am enjoying trolling the canyons for tuna as well as running to Rock Hall for lunch with a few friends without having to sell any family members. Rough weather offshore this weekend? I will stay in the Chesapeake and cruise to a favorite anchorage where I might even wet a line in search of a striper for dinner. Who knows, the next time I run the inlet you might be watching me wishing you had your own “Affordable Battlewagon!”
Tight Lines!
By Joe Borrison