Fishing setups, pictures, how to, general advice - lets share
I wanted to put this together to help people set up their ski's to save time and get you all out on the water sooner. I wanted to share a couple of little mods I have done to start off with which I believe give me more confidence in my ski when I am on it out in the water.
1) I believe firstly you need to take good care of your ski when you get it home. This means a good flushing through to get rid of as much salt water as possible, I personally flush it with http://www.salt-away.com.au after every single ride and having conducted some tests of my own I know this stuff works.
2) I also think taking good care of the external of the engine is important. After I have flushed my engine and washed down the ski I like to wipe down the engine with a clean rag to remove any little salt deposits. After this I liberally spray Inox Lanox http://www.ppc.au.com/access_lanox2d.htm all over the engine which leaves a coating to stop the corrosion. I do not use WD40 or anything like it as it is petroleum based and can cause rubber to swell and you do not want hoses falling off at high speed.
3) Battery maintenance is also important to me. I purchased my first ski which was a seadoo and the dodgy retailer just stuck a standard lead acid battery in with the removable caps. I checked the water levels in it after a few months only to find they were really low. I immediately replaced it with a sealed maintenance free battery. At the same time I purchased a battery charged/maintainer but this can be a pain as most batteries are hidden behind panels. To overcome this I purchased a water proof 2 pin plug and socket http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Cable-Connector-5A-2Pin.aspx?pid=116458 and I wired the socket to the battery and then mounted the socket in an out of reach place in the front hatch of my ski. I used the plug which came with the kit and wired that to the battery charger. Now everytime I come home I stick the charger on and leave it on until my next ride, knowing that my battery will be fully charged for a full days riding.
4) Last thing I wanted to mention was care of your ski while out on the water. I see people quite often riding their ski up onto the beach and I mean riding it up the sand pretty quickly. Not only does this scratch the hell out of the hull and make me laugh when I watch them try and drag it back in but it also gets sand into the water intake grate which gets around the impellor and it prematurely wears the impellor meaning if you do it continually you will lose efficiency.
Hope this little tutorial helps. I have also set up a fish finder/chart plotter combo on my ski which I will talk about another day. Johan also has a tutorial for all the safety gear he carries on his trips which I am sure he will add to this forum when he gets the chance. I am in the process of upgrading my fishing set-up so I will post pictures of the build once I start. If anyone is looking for a good esky for their ski then K-Mart in WA has the Coleman Quickserve reduced from $76 to $45, its a great 44L esky as it is quite long and has a little hatch on top making it easier to drop your catch in without lifting the entire lid..
Happy fishing and jetskiing...
JR JetSki
Posts: 247
Date Joined: 23/04/10
JetSki Safety
Good advice there John, Cannot agree with you more. If you look at what we pay for JetSki's nowadays is makes common sense to look after them.
I can not over emphasize Safety on the water and I have added a picture of the gear I carry with me every time I go out. Safety starts at home when you plan your trip. Below is a list of things to always remember when you're out on the water because you are smaller than a boat and cannot always be seen, especially in rough weather. I am sure the Yakkers will agree with these tips.
1. Road Safety - make sure your ski is secure and that all your trailer lights are working so road users can see what your intentions are. Go slow round corners, the ski is only held down by straps and you don't want it moving. Ensure you pull it right up tight to the front of the trailer, that prevents moving forward and backwards when pulling away and breaking. I am speaking of experience here.
2. Always be courteous at the boat ramp. Everyone needs a chance to get his ski/boat in and out of the water. Help each other out. If in doubt ask.
3. Ensure batteries are fully charged and terminals are clean.
4. Ensure enough fuel.
5. 8 Knots in the boat harbour.
6. We are not in a race so no need to see who has the fastest ski, it can be risky with all the additional gear you are carrying with you.
7. Keep a look out for other boats, Ski's and especially Kayakker's and other water users.
8. Look where you are going as I have seen some nasty stuff floating in the water and if you hit some of these obstacles with the ski it could be serious.
9. Wear bright coloured clothing/life jackets so you can be seen on the water by other users.
10. Obey the RST (Recreational Skippers Ticket) rules. You need to have a RST to pilot a JetSki.
11. Safety equipment - Sand Anchor with enough chain and rope, Towing rope, Marine Radio, EPIRB, 2XSmoke flares, 2XParashute Flares, PFD Type 1, Knife, GPS, whistle, wetsuit or clothing for protection against heat or cold, Hat, factor 30 sunscreen and a set of gloves.
12. Always have the throttle kill switch cord attached to your wrist or Life Jacket so your ski will cut the engine if you should fall off.
13. Basic tools that come with your ski kept in a dry container.
Good fishing
JR JetSki
gowie77
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 28/08/10
Hot Dp Galvo
If anyone is welding up a frame and wants to get it galvo dipped then try www.westgalv.net.au which are in O'connor as they do a minimum rate of $44 inc GST for small jobs. Some of the other companies charge a minimum rate of around $100 up to 100kg. I have purchased all the materials for the new frame I am building which will hold one large esky and 2 small eskies, along with a bait board so will post photos over the coming few weeks as it all comes together.
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Looking forward to fishing
Looking forward to fishing with you guys in the near future!! I have only just recently started fishing off my ski, and already it has claimed 2 7kg snapper, 2 5kg salmon, and endless captures of herring, salmon trout and squid! Havent even had to venture out of cockburn sound either!
1question-what do you guys use to strap ur rod/reel to your rod holders??
JR JetSki
Posts: 247
Date Joined: 23/04/10
Hi Beau, Here are some
Hi Beau, Here are some pictures of what I have on my ski. Cheap bungy cords I got at Bunnings, $10 for 20 straps. They are rust proof.
JR JetSki
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
marvelous
marvelous
gowie77
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 28/08/10
straps
hey beau
just use elastic straps. you can buy the cheaper occy straps but the hook is metal and plastic coated and tends to rust, i have rubber straps and the hook is thick plastic. I got them from whitworths. If you fix one end of the strap to your esky or frame and then let the hook just dangle. then when you put the rod in the holder, stretch the strap and hook it onto the reel somewhere. I also use to use a piece of rope and a stainless clip.
TheWest
Posts: 20
Date Joined: 31/07/10
nearly there
me n the old man got stuck into my frame on saturday, all thats left to do is tek screw my rod holders to the side and i'm ready for fishing.
here is a progress pic with it attached to the ski.
gowie77
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 28/08/10
looks good
hey the west, looks good. when you go to get it hot galvo dipped you need to drill holes in it so the galvo gets inside and coats the internals, then when you get it back just put some clear silicone over the holes... I never knew about drilling the holes, Johan told me... I am in the process of making my frame, its all tack welded so need to pull my finger out and finish it.
TheWest
Posts: 20
Date Joined: 31/07/10
galv.
yeh i knew about the holes, my old man told me all about it. i'm not gonna hot dip mine, i just primed and painted it and put cap in the holes. i don't mind what happens to it, its just a first one.
JR JetSki
Posts: 247
Date Joined: 23/04/10
Looks pretty flash to me. I
Looks pretty flash to me. I will get it galved if I was you, only gona cost about $50 if you go to same place as Gowie77. Maybe even cheaper if you guys go together.
We will be hosting a JetSki Fishing comp some time in the future, heaps of guys busy setting up now sine I have a forum page on the JetSki site as well. The JetSki Fishing is taking off now which is good for us all.
Just giving everyone time to get the rigs completed.
Cheers
JR JetSki
TheWest
Posts: 20
Date Joined: 31/07/10
rig
that pic was just a progress shot, it looks better now its done.
i would have got it galv but i wanted it ready asap, plus we had some primer and paint handy.
i used galvinsed steel to make it as well and have caps for the holes to seal it up.
it should hold up for a while then the plan is to improve on this design and make a new one.
how long did it take westgalv to do yours gowie?
i'll put a couple of shots up next week of the finished setup.
and thanks for the help as well guys, wouldn't have thought about fishing from the ski til i saw your thread johan.
gowie77
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 28/08/10
galvo
I have not got my dipped yet as I am still building it, but they told me 1-2 days max. I think what your doing is a good idea by building it as a prototype and then making a better one later on. My first fishing rig was just an esky with straps attached, 1 year on and I know what I want so am making a new one. My new rig will consist of one large esky in the middle solely for my catch and then 2 smaller esky's, one on either side. One will be solely for bait and the other solely for fishing gear. All my fishing gear is in mini water proof containers which you normally put food in. Once I finish mine I will post pics.. Nice work for your first rig though.
Gadsy
Posts: 1467
Date Joined: 01/05/10
Check out this Yammy Waverunner Fishing pack from the USA
I have been giving the grey import idea some thought (buying from the U.S.) with the AUD almost at parity ATM and I came across this nice looking ski for $11k U.S. Not sure if it is worth the hassle of paying freight, GST etc to get one landed here in Oz, plus Yamaha won't honour warranty etc but I reckon it's a nice looking rig anyway-
http://www.pwc-traderonline.com/find/listing/2010-Yamaha-FX-HO-97313613
Cheers
Gadsy
JR JetSki
Posts: 247
Date Joined: 23/04/10
Hi Gadsy, trust you're
Hi Gadsy, trust you're keeping well mate. I had a look at the setup. Few issues I have just looking at the picture. The esky is mounted too far back so when you reach for the rod you will have an unstable situation. Rod holders behind the Esky just don't work in terms of comfort. The gap between the Esky and back sadle is too big, you need to secure the Esky frame to the ski hook/loop. I did not see anything else like a sounder etc.
Buying from the USA poses some issues with warranties etc. Personally I would not recommend it but that is every persons own choice at the end of the day. I know of a guy that was selling his FX SHO Cruiser, red one with the bucket seats for approx $14K. Has low hours and well looked after. There is a picture of it under the photo's section. Its the red one that Phillip is fishing of in Carnarvon. I can find out for you if it is still avail and get you his number if you like.
If I can recommend a Ski for fishing and general use I would say get the one without the super charger. Dont need that extra power for Fishing and it will outrun any shark
. Again it's personal choice at the end of the day.
Best Regards
Johan
JR JetSki
TheWest
Posts: 20
Date Joined: 31/07/10
me setup
not the best pic, conditions weren't that great.
i've got my setup nearly how i want it but.
JR JetSki
Posts: 247
Date Joined: 23/04/10
I don't see anything wrong
I don't see anything wrong with what you have there, Looks pretty cool to me. At least you can fish now, The rest can come over time. Are you going to fish in the Calamari Classic on Sunday 14 Nov?
Cheers
JR
JR JetSki