If you break down out wide?
Submitted by grayzeee on Tue, 2012-10-09 19:00
Just wondering what tools you carry on your average trip out, or whether you'd be completely stuffed should your motor cut out.
With todays modern motors , what can you realistically check before calling on sea rescue?
Personally, I'm no mechanic and would have no idea what to check before making the call.
I just make sure my motor is fully serviced and the battery's are good. Then it's all hope.
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If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
Brad Y
Posts: 260
Date Joined: 03/02/12
Lucky enough to run a 90
Lucky enough to run a 90 etec. Its possible to pull start them- a mate did his a while back. Also they have a get home safe mode where the motor doesnt run above 2000rpm from memory. A few years back a mates etec died out the back of the reef way down towards pilgs at exmouth. We managed to surf through a small gap in the reef with his electric motor and get to shore and found the fuel/water separator full with water. A quick clean out and got the motor going and at least managed to make it back to the ramp albeit slowly around 2-3 knots in get home safe mode. A quick tilt all the way up and down cleared the get home safe mode and it was back running perfect again.
Yep I think keeping servicing up to date, checking batteries, fuel and oil full etc is the go. Also if you havent got one- a fuel/water separator is a good idea especially if you run large capacity tanks.
Suppose it cant hurt to learn how to clean a fuel filter or to carry a couple of spare spark plugs either.
Fish for thrills....
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Basic knowledge
It is a very good idea as Brad said, to have at least the ability to do the basics such as change or clean out a fuel filter, check leads or maybe see if a wire or line has come loose under the cowl. However, these motors are getting far more technical than the old boat anchors of the past. Getting them serviced by a reputable mechanic on a regular basis can almost remove the risk of an engine breaking down out wide. Then again, since they are man made, they will inherently break down on occasion so a good working two way radio and epirb are always a good back up!!
Wherever you go, there you are
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
tools and spares
always take out a tool and spares kit . everything needed to replace fuel lines and spares for every thing on the fuel line, tools and spares to remove plugs, rp7 to start wet motor and basic eletrical and battery spares and tools. all fits in a small tool box only ends up being a few sockets and screwdrivers plus parts. 90% of engine dramas would be battery or fuel issues.
always take it and saved my butt even with a brand new motor that was cooking plugs during run in. also had a $3.50 clip go on the fuel line and lose all line pressure 15nm out, no matter how well maintained, shows how things can get pretty lonely out there when just one little insignificant part shits it. would've been pissed if i'd needed a tow over something so small and waste someone elses time or resources, always carry spares:)
Dave J.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Spares
Like others said its usually fuel or spark, I have my old spark plugs and fuel lines in a spares watertight bag with a few tools cable ties tape etc
sea-kem
Posts: 15028
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I always make sure I've got
I always make sure I've got plenty of fuel and both batts fully charged. No Battery no comms. No major tools as such Cause I wouldn't know where to start on the donk but fuel supply probs I can sort with basics like tape screwdrivers etc.
Love the West!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Log in
Log in with sea rescue as you leave the ramp and give them a call when you reach your destination and if you move more than a couple of nm let them know.
When you are leaving to return give them a call so they can save time by going direct to you instead of having to search if you do break down and don't sign off
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
Hi CarnarvoniteGreat adviceDo
Hi Carnarvonite
Great advice
Do you have to have a licence for a VHF radio?
Cheers
CCC
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Discussion
Was up for discussion t the last sea rescue conference I went down to that they were looking at it no being needed for recreational use.
Haven't heard of anyone being pinged for using one though. Its not an offence to have one so don't turn it on until you're out of the marina ready to sign on.
hooty
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 25/05/10
Only carry two tools for such
Only carry two tools for such an occasion Beer and Ice
Mick
Posts: 501
Date Joined: 28/08/06
(No subject)
If the lord did not mean for us to eat fish and game, he wouldn't have made them outta meat
The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound. That's why so many people appear bright...until they speak.
uncle
Posts: 9492
Date Joined: 10/02/07
carry some fuses
with your tools and a rope to pull start the motor,if its small enough
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Was in a mates boat, way down
Was in a mates boat, way down the Ord river when the black anchor died. Myself and other deckie looked at each other thinking "bugger, gonna be a long night fighting off crocs". The skipper says "dont worry boys, the cowling comes off easy and I pull start it ok"
Nice to know the Black anchors can be easily pull started...... ??
ironpirate
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 20/09/12
fuses
Try to take a good assortment of fuses as most probs are elec related and fuses dont like moisture ,spark plugs and tools to change them as the boys said spanners for batt terminals and fuel filters ,look for air leaks in fuel lines if bulb does not prime ,make sure all safety gear is up to date flares etc .Some times good thing to carry is a sea anchor ,keeps your bow pointing in to the wind (no waves over the back while your drifting) and last servicing servicing....
wet lines
catchalittle
Posts: 1875
Date Joined: 04/09/08
basic tool kit and as
basic tool kit and as previously said make sure you log on and log off
Nathan