Anyone interested the below links show you the starting point then the middle…The strip down started mid Jan 2024.
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/79-guardian-refurb
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/79-guardian-refurb-pt-2

So this is it, she is back on the water although there’s a bit of punch list in it still needs carpet, seats, access platform with ladder, bait board and some rod holders on the hard top would be nice also. I will fab these up next.
Last post finished with the floor all glassed in with 3 layers, next was to build the transom. Idea was a box with storage doors using the old engine well. The old seats were ok but wanted this higher to make putting on dive bottles easier plus better seating IMO…could take some cushion for those with a soft ass.
First I boxed it, had to fill a few gaps but no issues affecting the strength, the top piece slide in onto of the 50mm transom so was supported there, sides I glued and screwed some additional supports, bottom of engine well was boxed out also, all of this getting glued, screwed and glassed…actually every bit of this back section was pretty well glassed internal and external 2 – 3 layers, fair to say it’s a bit over the top being 18mm thick as a starting point. Additional 12mm thick pieces for the floor so when I screw in the battery boxes I’m not going through the floor. This getting flow-coated before the back board got jammed in and glassed also.

The cabin was pretty basic, like for like although I had to start again with the marine ply…not sure why but none of the old stuff would fit lol. The main front sections were 6 / 8mm previously and had all cracked away at the floor due to the movement of the cab and hardtop, so went 12mm with additional glass work to lock it all in.
I few extra gussets to the inside where it had cracked before from walking the outside for anchor recovery etc, same again glued then glassed in…absolute prick working overhead but it had to be done.

First more grinding and prep as the coating was next…given my time again more room would be needed and a spray finish, I reverted to a roller by hand which was hard work getting a good finish. Maybe due to my skill level at painting…yes it’s a trade for a reason…I opted for flowcoat mainly due to the fact I could get a larger quantity cheaper than paint, the only info I could find on float coat was it needs to be put on liberally in one coat. Otherwise, it needs to be cut back before a second coat. So, the floor for example down hand all good…this is easy looks great, trying to sort the sides and roof was a hassle, needs multiple coats as you can see what’s underneath. So extra work and more sanding…recon I did most of the internal and top half external 3 times…fk I was over it…tried different rollers etc…got half decent but not something you would buy from the shop…bit more a commercial / charter boat finish, but so be it, it’s a thick coat and its strong shit…can be cut back and polished if need be.

Next was gunnel rubber and fitting out the rails etc, left the gunnel rubber in the sun for a few hours…screwed it of and the starting point and got me old boy to pull and put a little stretch in it while I filled with marine sealant, bashed it on and applied tap…few spots not quit straight but again will blame the limited room…all in all was pretty happy with it. I got the fittings priced to be replated…$950… no thanks, I hit these with the wire wheel, coated with a can of clear from bunnings…not sure how long they will keep but its as good as it gets for now, the external gunnel pieces I went to nylon, cheap and UV stable, again will see how long they last. Re-use the internal timber…some not the best, quick sand and resin coat, they will do the job plus keep a bit of character.

Trailer…now I stripped this 3 odd years ago, hard the main frame HDG but the small components I dipped in pool acid and pained with cold zinc, so these were going to get HDG plus new springs and winch. I grinded and buffed all the smaller components before a photo and transport to Hartways in Canning Vale…fkn pain in the ass, took twice as long as stated and price went over what was quoted, absolute useless to deal with as well….fk I hate that!
Axels I hit with the grinder, then buff and rust buster a few times, came up pretty clean so a few coats applied, these at 40mm I’m not to worried about, actually had to cut and weld a stub end…bit of a process given the thickness but managed some pre heat and Low Hide electrodes so should be all good.
Cut the old rollers off also, went and bought some skids and what a difference sliding on and off…this with the new winch its easier than ever, love it!!

The windows…first I tried to find replacement seals to re-use the old aluminium frames but this was proving a little difficult, so closest was Sealed Marine in Bibra lake…at first I was little hesitant but by the end John was great…helped me with the DIY which Ill say was hard, not for everyone as he stated…he said most try then come back and we have to start from scratch and do it for them…but as much as a hassle as it was his product was great and so glad I went the way he suggested, this took a few visits, setting it all up…on the boat on my own, drill and add little screws, get all the angles and lengths the same, drop it off…pick it back up with the clears, fit all the seals then mount it on the boat, seal, rivet and bolts, was very trying I must say…but all going well no more leaks!

Pretty well copied the front structural supports like for like, but this time in 316, welded what I could as the price of bolts was adding up, rear bars I doubled up to a bit more what you see now days, so much more solid, most everything installed with OS washes and nylocs, keen to see how this goes but it feels a shit load stronger than original…and that lasted close to 40 years..hard top I had a few repairs, fill the old holes and add some flowcoat.

Wiring took some research, went dual batteries…jack frost last post coming in handy. Went 10 gauge wire, battery isolation switch with earth bar..nothing over the top but a shit load better than the mess it was, new switch panel is auto reset, all new lighting is LED…everything was soldered and heat shrink and tinned wire, this include the C / USB charging port the daughter requested..shit iPhone cant hold charge for a day….useless!!
Was pretty stoked everything worked straight up…no fires..YES winning, this deserves a beer…I’m fkn close now!!

So that was it…The Merc started straight up which was good, having pressure and temp issues now even after installing a new impeller kit, so that’s next get that sorted then get to work on the punch list items.
Generally pretty happy with it, tows a heap better, launching and retrieving so much easier, more fuel capacity for deeper trips, that transom should help getting the dive bottles on easier...ride wise yet to see, put a bit more weight into her for sure so keen to see how it handles in the chop and generally how it all holds up. Lost count of hours...cost over 8K...under 10.
Quick shout out to forum member Paul D again, pressed up me mud guards and supplied me bar work materials, bloke is a dead set legend, anyone needing any stainless sheeting works look up Perth Stainless service in Bibra lake, Paul's the man!

 
Enjoy 

 Thought I would start the new year with a trip out chasing Dhu and baldies.  Launched boat and newly refurbished Furuno 585 blew a fuse with no spare at 4am at the ramp.  Headed off anyway figuring I could fish sounder "blind" just heading to some of my marks on the Garmin GPS, as we passed the GI Carnac channel zoomed the GPS out to select a destination......only to find it had totally wiped ALL of my marks acquired painstakingly over 10 to 15 years.  Hmmm, 2025 conspiring against me. With me was a rank newbie......"we" caught fish, well he did, I didn't have a bite all day.

Can I start this year again please

 A whole crayfish caught yesterday morning,  the number of crays eaten is starting to add up, could be some gout coming. 

Removed

Here's a quick vid of these sharks

youtu.be/BFdm81Y85VM

 
Enjoy 

Does anyone know if the crabs have started running in Swan - heard rumour they are?? 

 All

As per subject, due to unforseen circumstances, seeking a deckie from Augusta/Hamelin Bay between about 28th Dec & 3rd Jan. Have a (rebuilt) penguin huntress which you will find to be a capable boat.

Message me if interested, cheers, Lastcast.

Hey folks, just did up a little video of how I go about mounting fish jaws - this one is a 70cm jack that's been sitting in the freezer for months...

            https://youtu.be/XzorIDE4K54?si=Blvkze4o3AdWj_RX

cheers,

Steve

 
Enjoy 

Hey everyone,

Judging by the Facebook groups.. I have a suspicion people are going to spots around...

Yanchep, Ledge Point, Lancelin and Wedge island.

I see photos with the waves breaking off shore, and sometimes it appears there's reef too.

Its gutters. Not just waves dumping on shore you see metro.

Here are some unspsecific coordinates. (Of the areas I suspect)

Yanchep area...
 https://maps.app.goo.gl/38z8MatJa5xrz6T28?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy 

Guilderton area...

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/bcAqd2X6nMUYbHLV9?g_st=ic 

Ledge Point area...

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DaJeuws62Uhx1FuX8?g_st=ic 

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/WxtxoUtDc9YEHGdV8?g_st=ic 

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/PpPgJknVtU3M7stq9?g_st=ic 

Lancelin area

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/hUWfTYLHikyWWC9V6?g_st=ic 

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/uKWZyP8JuAWBN9Rh6?g_st=ic 

**Are these the areas people seem to go?** 

I get the impression people are driving 90min north to get to these spots and no further.

I have a bit of time on my hands, so I have been thinking about the best trailerable fishing boat. No boat can do everything, but if you could only have 1 boat, what would it be. Something you can get out to the FADs on, or go squidding in the sound and crabbing in the swan. Something you can tow to Denham and spend a week at Dirk Hartog, or up to Onslow and out to the mackerel islands. Something you can explore the islands off Esperance, or travel through the Kimberly's. Something you can tow with a land cruiser or dual cab unit, rather than needing a truck. 

All I realised is that we are so spoilt for choice. Here is my shortlist:

Caribbean 2300 

Cruisecraft E695HT

Haines Hunter 760 Enclosed (or 675 Enclosed) 

Haines Signature 788sf

Genesis

Preston Craft 

Stabicraft 

I do love the Fury 282DC, but they definitely need a truck to tow.

What does everybody else think?  

 Sorry Gaz been away from my computer but it's been 10 years since you left us so suddenly and I still miss you, the fish that you have saved with your release weight thank you too, a true champion to fish and fishers.

I miss getting blind drunk in your shed and having to get the wife to come and get me at 2 in the morning.

10 years is a long time but it is still burned in my memory of you , I bet your sitting on a boat somewhere telling GOD how to work a jig propperly.

you are only the second man I have ever wept for.

 
Enjoy 

Hey all

Looking to buy some big John's jigs. Are there any good ones for using on the flats in dunsborough? 

 Was doing a lap in the marina, saw life guard signing me, said there had been a shark near the boat ramp, finished off swimming in very shallow water.

 Any good methods to stop lure hooks rusting after use? Have been washing and using tackle guard but still getting rust come through, bloody frustrating.

Hi

Does anyone know if the ammo jetty is still open

Cheers

Eric

 
Enjoy 

Hi

I am looking at the possibility of putting my 7,3 M fibreglass boat in a pen at Mindarie. Looking for any info on best floating dock system for my boat. Also would be interested in a good 2nd hand unit anyone might have

Cheers

Eric

 Can't get out for possibly 2 days due to work commitments for me and crew. Out of idle curiousity, what's the latest in the day any of you have pulled pots with enough success to make it worth while? Or you wouldn't bother and just go for earlier pulls when you could. Some folk suggest the occies can get to them or they just walk out. I know when I used to dive for them I'd sometimes see them still in pots quite late in the day. Interested in others experience. Ta, John 

 Marling fishing up in Exy has been epic this season so far, below is link to a few days we fished in a row.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COjcJ212oEA&t=430s

So stoked to get the Grand Slam!!!!

I would encourage anyone heading up this way to get onto BathyMaps, the temp overlay on the system is amazing and really enables you to concentrate on the good water temps.

Then there is the deep water maps for finding that deep water structure. Get on it! 

 Hi all so was out checking pots this morning and have hit a large weed chunk in a leed line it actually block the water intake and set off alarm on the motor got to a safe area and lifted motor and weed  that was left fell off everything seemed OK. Later I started getting the feeling that maybe I have spun the prop was able to get up on the plain and get home I didn't test it to much out there as I wanted to get ourselves home. How do I check at home if I  have an issue?

 This is a bitch to you halfwits that insist on leaving miles of line floating on the surface above your pots!. Several points come to mind, if of course you are capable of reading this. First, the entanglement risk is very high, particularly when heading back into the sun, or manouvering around pots. Second, I don't think it does any favours to to the leg and trim system when you get pulled up at speed or worse, when the line wraps up tight around the prop. I wonder how often people think their pots have been moved or stolen, when they have simply been dragged out of position, or actually cut off. Third, it demonstrates a total disregard for others and piss poor seamanship. It's not hard to put a weight a couple of metres down and/or shorten your lines to suit the depth you're fishing in for Christs'sake. Try being even vaguely considerate to others for a change.

 Hi

Posting for a mate who will be available in coral Bay tomorrow (Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December)

He very keen to get out and willing to pay more than his share if anyone needs a deckie

His name is Alan and he can be reached on his mobile - 0419 890-509, or I can be contacted on the forum

Cheers

Eric

Gday, looking for a trip in dec just before chrissy with a tinny.

Thinking of launch at the Donnelly Boat Landing and head out to the river mouth and camp for two nights.

Has anyone had experience with this trip in how long it takes to get to river mouth?  What’s the river and beach fishing is like? Will we have any issues in dec with the water level?  

Cheers any advice apreciated. 

 
Enjoy 

 Are they out yet? If so has anybody on here hit them up yet?