OFFSHORE in 40-Year-Old Caribbean Crusader , Bertram 23 RETRO BEAST!!!

We finally get the old crusader out wide to see what it really goes like. Lets look at how it handles, how much fuel it uses trolling and underway and some of the learnings after a few days fishing. We covered well over 300km in total.
This boat is FAR FROM PERFECT but it's fair to say it surprised all 3 of us.

[@RStout59]

Glad to see you and your buds on the water. Isn't it nice when things turn out better than expected?! Less fuel is always a winner.

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah the fishing didn't go as planned but I know have alot of confidence in the boat itself, so will be some good times ahead

[@vaskodimoski5690]

You needed a live bait to throw out

[@joshherschell546]

Hookem - they do a really nice rod holder spacers that will raise your rods

[@dougmcgavin4267]

Thanks mate for your video love it gold for Australia you got the right boat mate 💪🤙👍

[@BaitBallin]

No worries thanks man

[@jmanjman6548]

Classy old rig!

[@Thememestop69]

Great video Mark, Peter and Brad, love the dolphin footage too 🎣🐟🐠

[@raylindrea]

Hi have one exactly the same just wanting to know what prop you are running cheers

[@BaitBallin]

Hey just standard duo prop set up that came on the bravo 3. I don't have the boat anymore so can't be more specific sorry

[@thebabadook1165]

Have a look at a gimbal lifter, it slides into the road holder and will keep your reel a bit higher. Could be a cheap and easy way to fix the grab rail clearance issue.

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah definitely. Pretty pricey tho

[@thebabadook1165]

@@BaitBallin $30ish, had to buy a couple recently as bent butts didn't fit the rod holders.

[@BaitBallin]

Ahh ok cool yeah sorry was thinking of something else. Will check out

[@grimreaper6112]

Probably Stripe Marlin can be hard to hook they come in and smash the lures with there bills need a live bait to throw out when you see one.

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah totally. We don't have a pump yet plumbed for livies and bait was hard to find. We will get one, some day! Haven't sold a boat yet without a Marlin, can't start now 🤣

[@jb243wp]

In comparison, offshore comfort ride compared to your old backcrusher?? Nice work 👍

[@BaitBallin]

Literally a massive difference. All plate boats basically need you standing underway, sometimes even when trolling to brace and use knees. This boat, you sit down in comfort, even at speed, even in nasty conditions. It's old as hell, but it feels amazing for a 7m rig

[@BaitBallin]

Superior basically in literally every situation and not even close to genuinely compare as far and handling go. Fishing ergonomics etc, the new boats are way way better set up.

[@stevec5192]

@@BaitBallin hey mate. Looking at another 6m v198 Haines. It has a Mercury outboard 250hp 2 stroke. Is this engine too thirsty? Should I just wait until a 4 stroke comes available? I mainly do spearfishing. Cheers

[@BaitBallin]

It will definitely chew the juice. So long days trolling offshore for example would be costly. But I mean your not gonna do 100-150km every day out. Could be ok, everything is ok for the right price.....just offer low and go up as needed

[@Maddfisher]

I reckon you should take one of your subscribers out fishing 🎣

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah absolutely! That can be arranged....last push now to finish it off then plenty of action

[@Maddfisher]

Boat looks great I had same thing happen to me pretty sure it was a barrel tuna clean snaped my rod and 100 pound braid in a second flat down here in vic it was the only strike we had for the day aswell so many things can go wrong chasing big fish

[@BaitBallin]

Yep! And they generally happen to us..... Often haha

[@Maddfisher]

Had the drag locked up too tight

[@Cparker8]

What brand/model was the rod that snapped? What caused it? Drag too tight? I've been waiting for u to hook a marlin on the carribean, hope u land one soon.

[@BaitBallin]

Hey it was a Shimano but to be fair it was very old... Yep we will get one!

[@matui6983]

Would bent butts and swivelling rod holders be the best cure or will you just remove the grab-rails altogether?

[@BaitBallin]

Yes I was thinking bent butts are definitely going to work better for this boat! Always good to have an excuse to buy new stuff

[@matui6983]

The swivelling rod holders like the guys in Hawaii use are something to look at too. Wellseys tackle do a swivelling insert that goes down inside the rod holder which as well as swivelling will lift the reel up higher which may miss the grabrail for you.

[@BaitBallin]

Ok will check them out

[@matui6983]

Dunno what rig you have in the spread of lures you run but Kiwi and Oz stripies are pretty similar feeding wise I wouldve thought. The Bonze lures rigs work really for us (in Bonze and other makes)and also Peter Pakulas weighted keel rig work very well in all makes. Single hook right at the rear of the skirt seems to hook the "lookers"

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah running all singles now days, mainly running Pakula and Jetts and do alright. We honestly didn't prep well. Bit embarrassing, but good to know that boat will get us out there and back safely

[@youtubevanced4900]

I think you went too big with that screen. Looks a bit silly. Is that a 13"?

[@BaitBallin]

16. Nah it's perfect. Happy with it. Better than 2 X 12s in that space tbh

[@youtubevanced4900]

She's whisper quiet..... I can almost hear you talking.

[@1Longranger]

Whines more than the Missus!