1971 19.1 for spearfishing about 6 miles out?

[Diaz]

Hello everyone,
I’m looking to spearfish some new FADs about 6NM north of San Juan, PR; so I’ll need a boat as the kayak won’t suffice. I found 1971 19.6 for sale; Please let me know what think? pros / cons. Love the look and history. It has an old 140 but will probably just buy a new 150 for it. Check out the pics.

[dbiscayne]

are you planning on heading out there regardless of the weather or going to pick your days? Thats a cool little boat but will get pretty sketchy or at least beat you up 6 miles out in any weather. I'd think it's doable but might get tired of the pounding. Low freeboard too.
Is the transom setup for a 20" or 25" lower unit?
What size fuel tank and is it above deck/under the console?

[RickK]

 That is a 191 Gull model. The fuel tank was inside the console originally. Not sure what HP the hull can handle.

[Diaz]

Hi, how could you tell this was Gull model?

The fuel tank is only 30 gallons but I can bring extra cans. Transom is 20”

Spearfishing offshore I tend to loose sight of the boat a little too often for comfort in 4’ swells, so I’ll probably make 3’ seas my cut off. Everyone going spearfishing is usually wearing a wetsuit and using Ocean Tamer bean bag on the ride out. Hoping this will work because these have way more style than new Whalers and Contenders.
LMK if you think I’m insane and I’ll have to look for something bigger?

The seller told me this was a narco boat and could easily go offshore lol!

[RickK]

On the 2nd picture looking at the bottom of the transom you can see the strakes exiting the bottom about a foot on each side of the drain.  This is the only hull that has strakes that run the full length of the bottom. That's how I tell it is a 191.
The Gull had a bigger casting deck and the console was set right up against or slightly on top of the casting deck.
There is an Osprey model too and the console was set back 18-24" from casting deck.
'71 was the last year the 191 was made. '72 was the year the 12 degree 196 started.

[Enginerd]

I've got a '70 19-1. 6 miles is nothing in the right seas. That said, anything remotely over 2ft, especially short period and you'll be wanting more boat. I slow down to ~18knots cruising in 2's, you'll be to your spearfishing spot in 20 minutes. They are wet boats, but you clearly are not in this game to stay dry. Boat handles 4 adults and gear well enough if you pay attention to where people sit to keep the boat trimmed right. 

I originally powered the boat with a Yamaha 70 two stroke, got 25kt WOT. not enough motor for me, now I'm running a 130 two stroke Yamaha and can hit 37kts WOT with a 19p prop which is scary fast in this boat. Could easily spin a 21, maybe a 23.I recommend against a 150, you cannot use all that power, and don't need the weight. A 115 is plenty!

[Diaz]

Thanks for the recommendations, I’m going to have the seller bring me to the FADs and see how it handles. Hoping I can make this work.