Hey Guys, 

After not using the boat for 6 months my battery on the hydrastar trailer is ca-put, I’ve had this particular boat for 5 years without any maintenance on the battery, do you guys hook up a trickle battery to the unit at all or just replace after a number of years cheers.

Happy Friday

Just a few weeks from 4 years since starting the Reef Runner build thread, I've dropped a deposit on a Caribbean 2400.

The Reef Runner is sold/committed but still with me until the end of Feb, now the agonising wait for the hull build that is only due in Nov' 21.

The Reef Runner has been a great boat and a great investment (if there is such a thing in boating). With some selective build and DIY elements at the front end and the current market pricing, it has resulted in 4 year of economical boating. My family and I have shared some great memories but we are looking for that extra room to make the extended day or weekend trips for 4 that bit more comfortable. Whilst it has hosted us on meny weekend trip to Rotto, the extra room of the 2400 will be a welcome benefit.

I considered bigger, I considered a penned boat or a share in a penned boat, I considered a jinker hardstand boat, but I couldn't look past the ROI that the Caribbean Boats command and truth be told since owning the Reefie I always dreamed of the girth and volume of the 2400. I always want to be able to hose and wash my gear off and be in control of my own modifications/repairs so I need to keep it trailered. Our usage is a mix of Metro fishing days with mates, whiting bash with kids, family day/weekend island trips, tubing and skiing in the river, plus 1-2 weeks fishing in Coral Bay/Exmouth per year.

Basic hull, oversized swim platforms and bunk infill ordered from Mansfield Marine. I'm researching engine options and trailer options currently. 300hp most likely. I'm pretty open to all major brands. I actually think the finish will end up similar to how I built the Reef Runner. Awning/Simrad/Autopilot/Fusion/Deck Tread/Extra Bench Seating… It has served us well. Build below:

fishwrecked.com/forum/caribbean-reef-runner

I will look for a through hull transducer. I've really struggled with a transom mount at speed over the years. I also think I will add the addition of tabs or zipwakes to get the beamy bow down into those tight chops and through hull leaves the transom clear for installation!

I’ve now got 11months to hunt the sales, find deals and start building the stockpile of fittout goodies!

www.youtube.com/watch

www.facebook.com/100010935367411/videos/284288576780469/

hi all
i need to replace some drawer fronts - just looking for someone who can knock up some in gloss white - any cabinet makers on here?

cheers

Prada Cup Day 3, Auckland NZ.

 Had a decent session today. Ended with 4 sharks of various sizes up to 3 foot 1 Queenie a few whiting and my first cuda.. No fish were harmed during this session apart from a few lip piercings.  All fish still swimming

Change of address, now living down in good old Bunbury again after a 30 plus year absence.

I am no longer involved with the roadhouse so any enquiries ring them direct.

Look forward to catching up with some of the crew down this way once a body gets settled in properly

 just after anyone with some feed back or experience with a hydrofoil or trim tabs on a chivers sportsfisherman. i'm a big fan of my boat after owning it for a couple of summers now and i'd like to add a few things to it as i plan to have the boat for some time at this stage.

It sits back heavy at low speed and leans to the left when up on the plan at at higher knots. I have been contemplating a hydrofoil or tabs to help how the boats sits at lower knots and then when underway. it seems to travel fine with a following sea (although i generally just slow down and drive to conditions). so just after some live experience as i'm sure there are plenty of these old girls around and plenty of people had done their fair share of time in them over the years. 

also does anyone have any idea what the small sealed compartment under the helm on the floor is for. i have seen it on most of these boats and can't seem to get an answer of what it's for. 

cheers herbs  

Is anyone able to share any recent pricing for 250hp or 300hp XXL pricing for outboards that they have recently aquired? I know supply is a major issue at the minute but would be interested to see where each manufacture is landing fitted in WA?

I've got pricing for Merc 250 STD in 30" at $34,700.

Merc 300 Verado is $38,900.

Does anyone have recent pricing for Suzuki or Yamaha?

 What a bugger, he was right amongst it too 

Been a horror day with 3 deaths on the water today. 2  involved Ab fishing and one where a rec boat has collided with a commercial vessel.

Very sad for the family's involved .

Hope this is true. If so there would be 100% uptake from 50% of the world's population

 Hi guys my tilt trim motor is Intermittently playing up any recommendations on boat mechanics preferably mobile but will take to a shop around the safetybay area thanks 

Hey guys, looking for recommendations.

I want to get new double security doors fitted to the front of the house and 3 new single electric garage doors fitted to a triple garage.

Selling the house so happy to accommodate a package deal of some sorts.

Cheers

Edit: survey has been done, thanks for suggestions and help, but retaining wall guy just sent his guy out. Now chasing a roof plumber for a valley replacement, gutters (provided the chippy comes through with eaves and facias) and a portico box gutter on my reno. Any roof plumbers on here able to help. My current roof plumber is giving me the run around.

 Got this one Sunday out on the spoil bank. Certainly wasn't an easy fight . Only using an outfit realy only suitable for fish up to maybe 5kg and running 15lb line , this one just nearly got me down to my backing line peeling off nearly 100mtrs of braid. Got it turn ed D but it still wanted to go for the open ocean . After about half hour after gaining and loosing line I finally got it on the waters edge. Quick pic and it swam off slowly. 

The length of pipe is 500mm so I estimated it at around 1500 long . It certainly tested my line and knots . 

Gents,

Anyone sold or bought a boat recently and how did they go bargaining ?.....starting to look around for something between 6 -7m mark, used and there's not a lot around.

I know the car market has gone through the roof as we seen a few grand in price change over a 3 month period late last year...some yards struggling to find cars as they were selling so fast.

Not a buyers market at a guess..

Not sure about anyone else but I try to fix/help as many people on this site as poss with my 62 yrs of knowledge ,all may it be good or bad. But I too need input and knowledge still as I think every day is a learning day and passing it on is free. SO, my request is that if you ask for advise/help with something , PLEASE! put up a outcome post so people/I can find out if there/My advise is good and on the money or total wrong . Thank You, Scubafish.

 Had some fun on the light gear until the sharks moved in

 Hope all will have a great new year with plenty of fish out there to land . All the best and stay safe 

 Going to be heading over to QLD for a bit of a holiday and looking for a good fishing charter out of maroochydore.  Any advice would be great . Cheers

 Now that 2020 is done with a very trying year for many what are people's plans and hope for 2021. 

I hope that all the small business owners have pulled through ok and are on track bouncing back. I was very lucky being in the food transport business working in hedland it hasn't affected me apart from being away from Sandy so much. 

Got 1 trip locked in to coral bay and another just about sorted as a surprise for Sandy.  

All the best to all in the new year and hope everything goes well for everyone and may 2021 be a much better

 Howdy,

I am in the market for a 9.9hp - 15hp to power the camping boat. The 5hp Yammy we had was a great motor (and hopefully still is) but it just didnt push our lardy arses around quick enough. 8 miles is a long trip squatting in an inflatable doing 4.5 knots.

The motor will be stored somewhere on either the roof rack or in the tray of the ute so it has to be physically moveable by myself so that is restricting us to around the 9.9hp area.

Question is: Has anyone recently purchased something around this size? Merc's seem to be the lightest and gruntiest though i have historically kept clear of them. 

I see Suzuki's have one in the range I am looking at but you dont see many of them around.

Has anyone got any advice for me? 

 The short story -

My boat was running fine, but i decided to get the annual service done on the motor prior to cray season. That was the 13th october , so now it is nearly the end of december , i am $1000 out of pocket , and after 3 attempts , the (mechanic ? ) at Allsafe was not able to get my motor running properly. So i now have a hole in my wallet , my boat is dead in the water , and i have to wait for my old mechanic to find time to fix my motor and  get me back on the water.

*** I understand there is now a sign on the counter at Allsafe Marine , saying they will not guarantee any work on motors over 10 years old , or something along these lines. I for one will never be taking my boat anywhere near them again !!***

The long story, as sent to consumer protection -

I took my boat to Allsafe Marine for an annual general maintenance service on 13thOctober. The boat was running fine prior to taking it for a service.

As the mechanic was very busy with other boats , i offered to leave my boat there as i was back at work for the next 5days , this he was thankful for.

The mechanic phoned me approx 5 days later , saying he had done the service , but the motor was running rough , and he would like to put a carby kit through the motor. I replied that i have owned this motor for over 10 years and it has never ran rough , but i said if he, as a mechanic , thinks it best to put a carby kit through the carburetor , i was happy for him to do this.

I collected the boat from Allsafe marine on 19thOctober with the service being complete , and paid the invoice of $1000 by cash.

It wasnt until approx 3rdNov that myself and my brother decided to take the boat out fishing.

Once in the ocean, the boat started fine , but it stalled as soon as i tried to move away from the jetty. I immediately phoned the mechanic , who said for me to bring it back in right away. I took the boat back , the mechanic made some adjustments , and he said to "give it another go " .

We headed straight back to the boat ramp , and once in the water , the same thing happened, the boat motor stalled 'under load' . I phoned the mechanic again , he said he was very busy with other boats, but to bring the boat back another day for him to have another look at it.

It was aprox 11th nov when i returned the boat to Allsafe marine.

I was contacted on approx 18th nov to collect the boat.

i picked the boat up the next day , the mechanic said there was an ignition problem, which he had fixed, i asked about the issue with the motor stalling , he said he did not find anything wrong. I paid $250 cash for the work done on the ignition system .

On the 1st Dec , i took the boat to the boat ramp for a test run. On putting the boat in the water , the same thing happened , the motor stalled under load.

When i arrived home , i phone Greg, the business owner , explaining the whole story. He was sympathetic, offering to get the mechanic to look at the boat again for no charge.

I told Greg i was not happy with the mechanics work, as he had already worked on the boat 3 times , and i was still having engine trouble...i did not want his mechanic to work on my motor again..ever.

I sent Greg a text  on 1stdec saying i would settle for a refund of $500 , to which he has not replied.

G'day all,

Well after selling my reef runner a few weeks back, I'm currently looking for a new smaller rig, probably soemthing around 5m Ali and preferably centre console. Had a look at a few forward control Quinnies/Stesco/stacer etc and considering the option of buying something like this and converting to CC. 

So to that end I'm keen to hear anyone's experiences with doing the same.  Interested in approx cost of conversion, pro's and con's of conversion as opposed to just buying a CC boat. 

Appreciate any info any of you have.

cheers 

 From what I have heard, Billabong roadhouse is shutting down at 1300 on Xmas day, not sure about Overlander roadhouse and we at Wooramel roadhouse will be shutting the door at around 1300 as well and putting the feet up for the rest of the day.

If someone is really stuck for fuel and my can is in need of refilling then they may be lucky but there will be no food after 1200

Can anyone suggest where I might buy one.   plenty of large ones around but I am after a supersized one 

 I will be flying home for a few days to spend time with Sandy and family hoping to get out for a fish depending on the weather . Most importantly is family time. 

What have others got planned. 

All the best for Christmas to all, stay safe and hope you all get  chance to spend time with loved ones .

 Went down for a fish today not expecting to catch much after the rain we had and the dirty water but ended with a nice feed . Had a he'll of a battle with my $20 k mart special landing a decent size spotted ray on the whiting gear , certainly gave me a run for my money. Quick pick and it swam off strong.