On to my dream.
I sat down with my wife and we talked about what is necessary on a boat for 8 to 72 hour fishing trips in the Gulf of Mexico, out of Clearwater, FL. Most of the decent spots and reefs I know are with in 15 miles of shore. However I want to reach the middle grounds between 2 and 4 times a year. So my requirement is a sea worthy vessle. My wife needs some climate control so a cabin with good AC is a must as well. Looking through the plans, the CX25 looks the closest to what I see in my head.
I know I will be customizing the boat, like I want a hard top over the pilot seats for shelter and hold a 4ft array. Under the seats I'm likely going to build in live/baitwells. Im going to opt for twin mercury outboards on a bracket with total hp of 3-400. I will install a mini fridge, a 25 gallon freshwater tank a 25 gallon black (waste) water tank.
Now my questions;
- I know mass produced boats are not as effecient as a fairly well built custom vessle, but I would like to get this boat to the Middle Grounds, roughly 85 miles from Clearwater. Is this vessle capable of reaching that distance with 110 gallons fuel at +/- 350hp?
If it needs more fuel, how difficult would it be to modify the stringers to get the volume needed?
Stock plans, and my math, my truck (7600lbs payload) will be able to tow the boat. With the modifications is the boat still trailerable with my truck? This is more of a double check my math puts total weight with trailer at 7500lbs.
Derek