We had this before but thought it time to revisit as so many new members. 

Good to know what everyone does for a crust.

Me as most of you know have a small steel fab shop.

Mostly oil and gas , some structural and a lot of maintenace work for Coles etc.

Love it apart from the tax man. 

After being checked by d o t to find the flares were out of date but managed to get some in date ones from the dive shop across the road from the ramp. Headed out today for the first time since Sandy fractured her back in Coral Bay. The fishing was hard for most part with the fish not biting . First 4 hours resulted in only 3 fish . Moved around a fair bit looking for the fish that would bite.

Ended up at a spot we found on the way out that turned it on in the last hour and a half. In only 15 mtrs of water we landed a few nice black snapper with a couple of smaller ones. The last 3 short drifts resulted in a red that was legal then next drift a much bigger red that realy went hard. Last short dift sandy hooked up big time bat after a short time she couldn't gain any ground thinking it was a shark handed her rod to me. Meanwhile my line went off and sandy pulled up a nice black and after a long fight I managed to get sandys fish to the surface to see a 90 cm cod come up . Also got checked by fisheries on return to the ramp. They took a quick look at our catch and gave us the all clear. Goes to show they can be anywhere any time. Pays to double check size limits of fish and double check the size of the fish you keep. Threw some borderline blacks back .

Got this thing today out from hedland.  Got no idea what it is so it's still swimming

 This massive cave is actually under the roadway. It is where a subterranean river and the North Sea meet.  Spectacular scenery, had heard the North Sea and Atlantic were often rough around here but all we have seen is glass off conditions 

 Given I like finding unusual ramps and harbours here are two you might enjoy from as far north in Scotland as you can get. Between John O Groats and Thurso.

How long would the flagstones built harbour have taken in the 1800's

Hi all. Just had a glass splashback installed and remounting the cupboards. Are they ok to sit flush on the glass or should I leave a small clearance of a couple of mm. Cheers JF

Don't think the tide was too favourable with a high of 5 mtrs we still gave it a bash. Got my first and only fish about an hour before high tide . And it was a damn shark , can't keep away from them lol

 Not looking good.

 Not looking good.

Trying to create a list of Aluminium Recreational Trailerable Plate Boat builders.

Fabricators / Welders

Oceanic Fabrication

Southbound Boats

Bullet Welding

Preston Marine

Westerberg

Genesis

Alurecraft  

Goldstar

Marineline

Bluey Fabrication

Customline Aluminium Fabrication

Intimidator Boats

FG Boats

Razerline

Australian Marine Craft (CNC marine boat fabricator)

Redline Marine

Hellfire - Thanks Rob

All Out Marine - Thanks mallesh

Rayson - Thanks Rob90

Wakemaker - Thanks chevaps

Evolution from Ledge Point (not sure if they still operate? No ABN and no internet footprint) Thanks Sea-kem

Dongara Marine - Thanks Rob H

Maurtech  - Thanks Moondog

Custom Ali Boats WA (Formally Blackdog Boats) - Thanks VaSSagO

Alucraft - Thanks SeperateKnob

Outlaw Boats Thanks SeperateKnob

Exclusive Retailer Brands

Ballistic - (exclusive to Millard Marines) - Thanks squidvicious!

Fish Hunter - (exclusive to Midway Marine)

Assassin (exclusively to Sportsmarine - is this a rebranded Redine?)

Coraline (exclusive to Boat City)

Lux Custom Boats (imported Chinese boats)



Who have I missed? 

Heading up to 80 mile Beach over the weekend. Any ideas as to what might be biting this time of the year . Never been there before so it's a good excuse to try out the ranger for the first time out on the beach.

 Howdy,

May interest some here though relates to the incident involving the yacht Finistere loosing her keel off Mandurah in 2018 and the resulting rescue of four and recovery of two bodies. 

Interesting reads about the safety gear which apply to what most of us do.

cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/fkktc6uzzkfj2eqf.pdf

 Hi guys a bit slow on here due to the weather no doubt. Just wondering if anybody on here has a permanently moored boat and who do you get to clean it? How often do you find per year the hull needs cleaning? What are the approximate costs involved per year? Does the boat have to be lifted out of water? that kind of advice please  cheers dave 

Looking around at transducers for an Evo3, who knows a bit or has recent experience with them? 

 Just curious as to what others opinions are on this subject. 

We are looking for a 4x4 extra or super cab not dual cab as we will be getting a slide on camper to sit on the tray so we can still tow the boat when we go on holidays. 

The dilemma is most of the 4 bees are a 4 cylinder and anything bigger seems to be a bit too old or out of our price range. Looked on line at some cruisers and f250 but the price is right up there for even a 20 yo car. 

How would the newer 4 cylinder diesel motors hold up with the weight . I feel you would have to work them too hard and they wouldn't last too long . Need something that will hold up for a long time. Was thinking need to go at least 6 cylinder.  

Any input would be appreciated.  Don't want to spend the coin then find out it won't work 

A week and a half out - wife tested positive to covid. SHIT SHIT SHIT. Not ideal timing. That was after having to take the boat to the mechanic another two times after service because I couldnt get it running properly (full credit to Seasport marine for their troubleshooting and solution, and only charging me for the initial service). Cant remember what the 3rd thing was but there were three in the month before we left...

This trip started December 31st at midnight with 6 of us on the DPAW website trying to book Winderbandi Point for the July school holidays which was a dismal failure. And again the next night, which was also a dismal failure. Point Billie was the consolation prize which turned out to be a real winner.

Anyhoo, with departure day postponed by two days due to me testing positive mid week, we headed off on a Monday, with intention of isolating on the road on the way north with my wife heading into pay for fuel and pick up food while we sat in the car. None of us were showing symptoms so figured we were ok. 

First stop was Nerrin Nerrin rest stop where we found a spot away from everyone else, and a fairly good looking firewood log and set up for the night. Next morning, up before the sun and back across the road to find that good log again because it was bloody freezing. All packed up and on the phone to Shark Bay Visitor centre to book Whalebone Beach for the night which we rocked up to at the campsite just after 11 and got a prime spot, again, to ourselves and well away from anyone else. It looked fishable at times but due to being an expert at tetrus, could only reach a small popper which kept Blake occupied into the darkness. We strolled the shallows right at sunset because I always found it to be the most interesting time. Tide was going out so not the best time on this day but still saw a small flathead and a shovel nose.

Next morning, up before the sun again and packing up for the drive to Carnarvon. It was freedom day for me and happened to also be shower day. Carnarvon was typical Carnarvon. Nothing was stolen which was great and the pub meal, with all of the mozzies in the mid west, was delicious. What wasnt delicious was throwing away three large cartons of eggs which we put under the tonneau on the ute three days ago and promptly forgot about.....

Back on the road around lunchtime after drawing a white line on my black side step due to a stupidly placed concrete block at Bumbacks, we were at Minilya for lunch before getting to the turnoff to Ningaloo Station at around 1330. Google maps told us 1.5 hours to camp and it wasnt wrong. The first part of the track was really good with most of us sitting on around 70 and having to slow down over a few lumpy bits. Once at the homestead and turning north to the campsites, the track got agricultural and progress slowed down to around 50. Not so bad. We got to camp around 3 which allowed us time to unpack, set up and get a fire cranking.

We got the boat out the next day and took a zoom up towards Winderbandi with the family and a try for squid before heading back to camp planning to head beyond the reef with three of the other dads. So far so good, the motor started and ran on command!

After lunch and with the north easterly moderating, we headed out at 8 knots (boat didnt like 4 fatties onboard) and looked for anything interesting. Trolling some lures about, we came across some birds working a school of stripey (Skipjack) tuna. We threw everything at these damned fish only getting hits (but not managing to get them to the boat) on a 180mm halco diver. Time to head in and as we wound in lures, one of the guys rods went off and we finally got a fish on the boat. then another, then another. Three fish were cut into steaks and thrown on the fire. It was awesome that most of the fish went to the kids (11 of them). They loved it with a bit of salt, lemon and special sauce. 

Next day out, Swanno's whalewatching tours took over and I headed out with the fam bam to chase these tuna or better yet a Spaniard, and see some whales. Just out of the northern channel, there was a Manta just under the surface. Awesome. Then a Barracuta took one of the lures. Cool but not the target and then out to the Tuna fields where each of the kids got into one....and the daughter got to have a fight with a shark. Then the whales turned up while I was hooked up to a fish...then a shark.

First one was spotted in the distance so we started putting over to it then holey moley, one surfaced 20m ahead of the boat!! I looked down saying 'i hope it dosnt have a mate' to have the second one appear under the boat and surface 3m ahead of us! I threw the boat into reverse as its tale broke the surface where the boat was.. Ok - there were plenty of whales. 

We must have seen 20 whales a day over the next days and over 100 whales during our time at camp with the highlight being some calf's which cant have been much longer than the boat having an absoloute ball just living life.

I have lost track of days but one day we headed out the southern channel antacipating the breeze to moderate (but it didnt) and headed south to Norwegan Bay, which I had first been into 20 years (nearly to the week) earlier. Heading south with whales heading north was kinda like walking down the middle of a one way street. We had to zig and zag the whole 4 miles down, trolling a variety of lures the whole way along the 20m line, with 'only' one hook up being a ~10 kg Yellowfin tuna. I didnt really want it so didnt net it and it spat the hooks as i lifted it up. Beautiful looking fish and I wish i threw the net in to get a photo. 

With the breeze now from the north and a 4m chug back to Lefroy bay, we sat inside the reef spotting a coule of Dugongs (thought they were a rumour up to that point) and heaps of turtles. We jumped in for a swim at South Lefroy after Blake woke up (he fell asleep half way down to Norwegan Bay). Cool to see a small black tipped shark swim past ~5m away followed by a dolphin swimming at us even closer. Dont know where these rumoured crays are but i looked under plenty of boondies between South Lefroy and our camp but didnt see even a sign.

A few more trips were taken over the next few days with a few more lost fish with at least two being big Spaniards which were quickly accounted for by sharks. Devo but so be it. 

The only day we properly fished the bottom was after two hours of trolling for nothing, we stopped in what should have been 5-10m according to Navionics and it immediately resulted in taps then a hit even before I had a line in. Spango straight up. Then another, Then another. It went quiet with two fish in the esky so we putted back to where i thought we were (phone battery is dodgy so no tracking) and bang, on again. Now it was time for me to finally get a line in and tap tap bang - a decent ~500mm spotted cod. 

My mate sucks at setting up rigs so i handed him my rod after he lost his second effort on the bottom and while setting his up, he was on again with another spotted cod around the same length! I finished his rig and he dropped it down and got a 500mm long Spango which was arguably the fish of the day!

We ran out of squid (only took three Cockburn Sound squid up) and resorted to a chunk of Tuna which fell apart as it hit the water. 

We moved out to the 20m line and were surrounded by 4 x ~3m sharks and suprisingly managed to get the worlds biggest wrasse up between them which was cut up for bait but resulted in nothing coming to the boat.

The whales were again going off all over the place so we headed in at lunchtime and i left the three other guys to clean the fish (handball - play on!) and took another group out to see whales and they put on a show with 6 whales swimming alongside the boat. I was able to turn the boat off and they swam close enough so we could see rainbows in the mist they blew out. Ended up seeing 11 whales in around 30 minutes with a bit of fin slapping. Sharks also turned up for a show too.

Highlight of the fishing day was cooking the catch on a cast iron hot plate ontop of a hollowed log which turned into a chimney. The fish gave all 20 people a fair chunk of entree once beer battered. 

That was pretty much the fishing experience. There were billions of Tuna around and if that interested you, you could eat them every day. The Macks were around but got smashed by sharks...then I ran out of the lures they were targeting (120-150mm). The only time we tried bottom fishing, we caught quality fish and squid was the best bait!. Unfortunately no squid to be seen in Lefroy bay.

Last day out, we had one last crack at Macks and lost two more lures (after trying the 'tighten the drag to maximum' option) and then headed over to Winderbandi point for a swim, with the spear gun in tow. Saw a decent bluebone which i took a shot at but only managed to knock a few scales from. With the kids climbing on the wife, the current pushing hard, and me with two leg crams, it was time to get back to the boat.

The last night at Billie, we drove up to the lookout up the sketchy track behind Winderbandi. When we got back, we got asked to help out someone who had a tinny whos trailer had shat the bed on the way in. After tea, we pushed our boat off the trailer (Which was half packed) into the grass and headed 2km down the track to help the guys out. Lucky it was slightly smaller and light so we loaded it up and dropped it off their camp. Their spring had disintergrated causing the axel to push back destroying the mud guard and wheel....on the 58th km of the 60km track. Poor buggers. The camp host got the jeevies up them saying someone would steal the boat if they left it out beside the track so they were very thankful when we agreed to go and get it for them. Poor buggers.

After Ningaloo Station, we managed to get a bit of space in a backyard which happened to be beside where YBS is setting up a bit of a warehouse so had a chat with the kids idol. Nice bloke actually and more than happy to have a chat with the kids, perticularly Blake who has been studying his youtube videos for over a year and thankfully young enough to be interested in the fish more than than the ample arses.

We took the boat out off Learmonth jetty for an hour the first evening and all we got was a small bird which we pulled out of the water much to the relief of our bird loving daughter. Unfortunately for old mate birdo, it was his last 30 minutes of life so we had a small memorial on the beach near the jetty...

Next day, after lunch, we headed off Tantas for one last hurrah. We spent about two hours going up and down and in and out but didnt get a hit. With sketchy large swell, I couldnt miss the oppertunity to try to set a new speed record...so out we raced looking for the right one and in we charged....the the wife started shouting something about a whale...which appeared just behind the boat...about 3 seconds after we went over where it was at full noise + gravity. Hopefully it got out of my way as I had no idea it was there. 

For anyone headed up to Point Billie, some of the camps are shit and in shin high grass. One site (site 30) is simply a driveway to site 31 with a tree stump you need to go around (In the picture you can see our site 31, and someone on site 29...Where is 30?). We had 4 sites booked and managed to cram all (20 people) onto one and still get a view of the water out of our swag with the other three sites returned to the pool.

Missing Winderbandi turned out to be a blessing as we nickenamed it Windybandi as with the north easterly and northerly most of the first week combined with 2+m swell for a few days, the beachfront camps had to dig sand barriers to keep the water away from the caravans. Later on in the week I could see the appeal but certianly not at the start, when it blew 30 + knots straight onto their beach one day. 

Overall, 17 days away living out of the car. Boat was out for 12 out of a possible 13 days (windy day + longer travel days = dry boat) with over 100 nm under the hull and 120l of fuel consumed.

Lithium battery in the car is a game changer. $2.5k setup including installation and ran a fridge and freezer without effort for the whole time. Lowest it got was 72% so 50% to go before it got slightly nervous. That was after all night and no solar in a black car under a black Tonneau on a 28 degree day becuase the boat was parked at the ramp all day...

So we were back at home for a fortnight from the easter trip and took advantage of a holiday home cancellation which happened to coincide with our anaversery.

Arriving in Dunsborough just before lunchtime, we quickly unloaded the boat and made it to the water at 1230 (good to not have to set up a tent and swag) and started looking for signs of salmon. All reports suggested they were hard to find and before long we were in Bunker bay, doing pretty much the same as a heap of other boats - looking aimlessly for signs of fish. Not much to show there so we continued putting and made it as far as the Cape Naturaliste before turning around and making our way back.

Half way back, the breeze turned off allowing us to test for top speed before coming across a sligtly different tone of darness in the water which turned out to be a deep school of fish, which i assume were salmon. 

Drone up, cast out, cast out, cast out, cast out. Change lure, cast out, cast out, cast out, cast out. Change lure and repeat....couldnt get them interested. not remotely.

Ended up drifting over them which really turned them off but anyhow - got a cool shot out of it.

Looking at the video I will post below, they were slightly interested in the lures but non committal.

Did the walk out to Cape Naturaliste on the western side of the cape along the beach which was nice and also a few other touristy things. 

www.youtube.com/watch

Well IOU a number of reports so here goes 1 of 3.

With a week to go to Easter, we decided it was a good idea to go camping...but where? The monday of the week before, I called up Lynton station and managed to get a couple of nights at the station with the plan to be there until easter monday and then work our way home. 

With a new lithium battery in the car, I was keen to trial our planned sleeping arrangement for our Ningaloo station trip mid year (just gone). The plan was for the kids in a newly purchased Black Wolf turbo 300 tent with the gear (and the dog) and my wife and I in a swag. 

We arrived at the station on Friday around 3 ish and were met with all of the fly's in the mid west and a warning that there were a few mice about. As we didnt require power or water, we were pointed to a spot off to the side of the main driveway and unloaded the car. Now joining the fly's were all of the double g's in the mid west. At least we could have a fire. 

We set up and took the boat out to Port Gregory at around 4:30 which is around 6 minutes away simply to try out our beach launching capabilities. Beach was hard which was easy and upon launching, we chatted with a couple of people alongside who showed us a coral trout they managed to get just outside the enterance in 20m on a bit of squid. 

We stayed on the water for an hour or so dragging a couple of twisties around with no interest and after finding some shallow spots headed back to the car to head back to camp for tea.

The next day, the swell was picking up and the southerly was pumping so we launched mid morning (to get away from the fly's) and sent the boat out over some weed to get some squid. 

We managed to get nothing over weed but drifted over sand and managed a couple. Enough for a feed. Time to trawl some soft plastics alongside the reef to look for anything interested and the young bloke managed to get a couple of charlie court. I didnt know what they were at the time so we put them back. Enough to get us excited. We saw a bit of a bust up just outside the enterance but being in a 4m boat with 2.5m of swell and 1.5m of slop, my alterntaitive decision (wife) decided we werent going out there). 

Back in, i thought i would jump in for a cray swim but just as I threw the ladder in, looked back to see a jumbo squid just sitting off the back of the boat. Threw the nearest jig in and wam bam, we had a decent squid.

Blake and I had a swim but found it to be pretty baron with plenty of broken coral. A few small baldies an not much else. 

We were back at camp for lunch and contended with fly's for lunch.

We next took the boat out in Kalbarri and enjoyed the 11cm of vixibility in the chocolate river, venturing to the nirthern bank and strolling up the coast admiring the waves which were perticularly massive. 

Keen to move away from the fly's double g's and mice, which had woken us up chewing on the paper on the mozzie coil tin, we headed to Cliff Head for a night and managed to get a pretty good spot close to the water. Bit too weedy where we were for a fish but it is nice to see the improvements they have made there.

Last stop on the trip was two nights in Cervantes. $70 for 17sqm was pretty rough but hey, considering I booked on Tuesday for Wednesday and Thursday nights in the second week of the holidays, I will take it. 

For years I have wanted to get out on a boat in Cervantes, we finally had the oppertunity. We headed west to wards the islands but got belted by the south easterly so headed in towards the coast to kangaroo point. Managed a couple of squid before heading out to some reef and throwing some tantalising pieces of bait down hoping for rumoured Dhuies but didnt get a touch. Contemplated a swim for some crays but the water was filthy and a bit too sharky. Ella had a great nap on the boat on the way back in. Quite inconvenient but if your kids tired, best to let her sleep...

Squid in the gas cooker on the tailgate on the sand spit at Cervantes was good while the kids played.

Almost forgot to mention that we had a squiz at Horrocks for easter morning but it was drizzling and there wasnt a whole lot of beach. We drove up to Little Bay for a look at a prospective camp site and it looked pretty good. A mate happened to arrive the next day for a few and got a mulloway and some tailor...along with 43 mice (in traps) out of his car after the trip. 

Certainly plenty of potential at all spots given the right conditions. 

Hi all

Just wanted to see if anyone had any contacts who might be able to help out with a shade/lean to/skillion/something to go over the top of a pizza oven base i've built.

I've attached some photos of whats going on for clarity, but basically I want to look at cutting out the second storey neighbour across the road and also give some weather protection to the pizza oven once its built. The base has been made with 150mm wide concrete blocks which have had every second (at least) core concrete filled and a 12mm reo bar put down the core to tie in to the 80mm slab on top. Which has also been reinforced. So I'd be happy to secure it to the base if thats an option but patio/steel design isnt my forte. I put my 4mx4m shed together but didnt actually have to design it.

Timing is probably terrible and the few mobs I have contacted either havent gotten back to me or have basically told me that they're booked and not interested.

I am contemplating giving it a crack myself but just lack a few of the design ideas/creativity to plan it out.

Any pointers or contacts would be appreciated!

Cheers

Steve

Hi All,

Does anyone have any reccomendations for a folding boat rack for a soft floor camper trailer? I want to buy or get one made up. Any pros/cons or lessons learnt if you have or had one?? Something that can hold the boat whilst folded over would be great!

cheers

Cam 

 Had a few hours to kill yesterday and even tho the wind was howling I still went and wet a line. Bugger all action apart from a nice shovel estimated weight 50 kg , gave my a real good fight. Quick pick and sent it back

 Hi guys 
Chasing a good contact to make new stickers for my south wind would like one same as the originals made some new rego numbers maybe in the round style ? Anyone got someone in Perth close to Rockingham?

 Hey crew,

I am looking for general ball park pricing and length of time it would take for one to drive from Melbourne to Perth towing a caravan.

We have a family that don't want to fly (their choice) to Perth but want to take their caravan.  And I was wondering ballpark price for the fuel between the two cities.  

I run/head a Foundation and are holding a family/medical  conference in Perth next year and we are covering the travelling costs of the families, so I need a ball park figure so that our treasurer can budget for it. 

Lets not make it too technical and assume a gentle drive not a "cannon ball express" with your average sized caravan and vehicle.

Thanks in advanced

MY

 Hi everyone 

Has anyone got info on what's happening around the bypass bridge.

There is a heap of new yellow  markers.

Looking forward to an answer 

Cheers 

 Had a few hours to kill Tuesday morning.  Wind wasn't the best but better than sitting around watching t v . 

Wasn't too much around other than trevs pinching the bait and a couple of small cuda.  Finally hooked something with a bit of fight in it and ended up with a saw fish about 4 foot but no pic as they aren't easy to hold taking a selfie. After that managed a few good runs on sharks. Landed 2 lost one with it biting through 80lb wire trace. Got a few good feeds on the way tho . l

Hey team.

So in preparation for our trip to Ningaloo in two weeks, I took the tinny to a reputable service centre in the south east and get it serviced. The only thing 'wrong' with it was it occasionally stalled at trawling speed. Bit of a pain but not a biggy.

So post service, I took it out of woodies a fortnight back and upon starting, it stalled. Started again and held the choke out. Once ready to putt out, I put it into reverse and it stalled. Started ot again and gave it curry in reverse and it stayed running but stalled when I slowed down. Started again, threw it into forward and off we went.

Throughout the day, each time I put it into reverse it would stall and take a couple of goes to start again.

We did 18 miles throughout the day, most of which was at 18 knots. 

when we got home, I couldn't start it to flush for about 18 hours so took it back to the mechanic and they said it looked like the fuel line had delaminated and caused a blockage that only impacted a low speed. Odd but makes sense when they sent photos of the chunks of fuel hose.

This brings us to yesterday evening where we took ot down to Deep water point to ensure all was good. Launched fine and it started fine. Put it into reverse and it instantly labours and stalled. I was able to start it and drive away moving fairly to full noise quickly and then slowing down 10 seconds later as it stalled.  Claire thankfully suggested I go into the wind to drift back if need be and I am glad I did.

I got out the paddle and started going back to the ramp while calling the service centre to give them a mouth full. I got it started again for 3 seconds, long enough to direct the boat to the jetty before stalling and managed to get it running once more when tied up but it stalled without load.

Claire dropped it off at the service centre today and they said it started first go and is running without problem. Forward, reverse, high speed and low speed. Same fuel same tank.

They are keeping it overnight and will start it again tomorrow morning and I'll run it when I pick it up in the afternoon

What in the hell am I doing wrong? I really don't want to get stuck off the back of the reef off Ningaloo....

any thoughts?

Couple of options for those who get sick of slamming hulls 

www.youtube.com/watch

www.youtube.com/watch 

 Anyone on here got good knowledge of setting up NMEA backbones?

Chasing someone to fall back to while setting mine up in a few months

 Went and saw GK Trimmers to get a boat cover made following good reviews from others on here.  Super stoked with the end result. Covering a 6.5m Quintrex. Did a few repairs to the Bimini as well. Recommend 

 I don't know if the damage of this boat has been shown  on here before but seen it in all its glory on the weekend a real big hit don't know how the driver got on but he hit the dash  and the damage was extreme and the aluminium foot rest was really damage also hope it was all okay anybody know outcome ?