Another Abrolhos question?
Submitted by Leigh85 on Mon, 2014-05-19 20:16
Hi all,
I am looking at getting out to the Abrolhos some time soon for the first time. I have a couple of questions that hopefully the regulars can answer......how much fuel do you use for an over nighter or a weekend, I have a 610 sports cab trail craft I think about 260L with a 115 4stroke merc plan on taking an extra 60/80L in jerrys.
what about communications would a 27mhz radio be enough, could possibly get a marine VHF handheld if needed/recommended
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Depending where you are going
Depending where you are going (its 50 miles from one end to the other) and leaving from, you'll have plenty without carrying any extra, 150 litres in that will get you over and all round the Sthn group
27meg is useless, handheld VHF may or may not pick up the Rat Island or Moresby repeaters, once again depending on where you are going!
Personally Id recommend anyone that has a boat of that size to bite the bullet and get a VHF, 27meg isnt a lot of use outside metro and will only get worse as time goes on.
Very few if any commercial boats carry a 27meg-havent seen one myself
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DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
I went from Geraldton to the
I went from Geraldton to the Southern group recently in a 6 meter ally boat with a 130 etec. We took 250 liters of fuel and used about 200 liters. We did a lot of trolling and probably would have covered about 250 kms for the whole trip. I would think that your 4 stroke would be a bit more economical so 260L would be enough. You can always take extra though.
As for the radio, as Rob said there isn't any 27 meg coverage, and the VHF is pretty patchy in the southern group. When we were near Pelsart island we couldn't reach Geraldton directly and also couldn't reach the repeater on Rat island, so had to log off using SMS. I'm not sure what the best solution is because you don't want to log in and then go out of range and have sea rescue come looking for you.
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Make sure you allow for bad
Make sure you allow for bad weather, if it was me id take an additonal 100l plus with what you have. When I went over we used took about 350l of fuel and used 300. Boat was a 650north shore with a 225hp honda.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
We to used around 300lt that
We to used around 300lt that trip but it was rough 25knots and 4m swell ,plus the extra weight took 3/half hours to get there. and also went to the middle group.We use 250lt to the southern group but don't do a lot off fishing or moving once there. Bring on the long weekend.
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pigtrough
Posts: 24
Date Joined: 26/02/13
I do day trips and
I do day trips and occasional overnighters from Gero to the southern group only. In my 6 metre polly with a 150 Honda 4 stroke on the back and 200 litres under the floor. Usually take 1-2 jerry cans extra but have never needed them always come home with a 1/4 -1/3rd of a tank at least.
Mind you, I don't do a heap of trawling over there.
Definitely get yourself a VHF as rob has said, cheers