Hi, I'm getting a 3.7m tinnie next weekend. We've got a 3 litre magna with towbar that we'll be using to tow it. I'm wondering how it will be launching and retrieving on various boat ramps. Has anyone used a 2wd, front wheel drive car for launching a small boat? We've got a 20hp 4 stroke so weight of boat and engine should be around 130kgs plus trailer.

I'm thinking that retrieving could maybe be a bit hairy if the ramp's wet or mossy, etc. I was thinking of using a strap to pull the trailer out so that the car didn't have to go too far down the ramp, then I should be able to support the weight of the front of the trailer while the car does the pulling work. Just a thought...

Any advice?

Cheers

 Hi there looking at getting a new wellcraft centre console and knitting it out with the new G2 from Evinrude. I've always had 4 strokes but the reviews on the new G2 look impressive. Anyone out there own one or have mates that own one ? Are they happy with the product ?? 

HI all
Getting to old to keep pulling anchors as the back and other joints are hurting.
Was thinking now is the time to spoil with a winch.
I have a Trailcraft 5.4.
So question - what type and then what anchor.
Was thinking a sarca is it will sit under the bow sprit but would appreciate opinions.
I searched but couldn't get a specific answer as to what will be the best for this particular craft.
Looking forward to some input.
Cheers
Neels

EDIT: Also what $$ damage am I looking for - but still might be cheaper than Physio/Drs etc bills for the back and bloody tennis elbow!!

 Hi,

I am thinking of replacing my old engine (2 stroke 30hp Johnson with electric start and forward controls) with a new engine (probably 2 stroke of 30-40hp with electric start and forward controls).

Have done a reasonable amount of googling, but am finding it hard to get a ballpark on price for a replacement engine with forward controls and fitted by mechanic (unless I submit enquiry forms).

Any recommendations and ballpark costs for what I am after?

After drooling over Matts Stabi 2750 video, its inspired me to get my water management sorted out.

Im going to run fresh or salt water through a changeover valve, into the deckwash pump and then onto a manifold with manual valves for Deckwash, killtank, livey tank, shower etc.

Im trying to source the right valves, and connection system that will handle the rigours of a fishing boat, but be compact enough for the transom setup I have.

Anyone had experience doing this before? Got any suggestions?

 I've just had a new deck wash put in, when I turn it on it makes the radio turn off. Any ideas on how to stop this.

Also when I start the boat motor the furuno 585 turns off.

 I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I felt really let down today when I found out that the BG range of trailers from Fremantle trailers are imported from China. Well, pretty much all of the trailer is fully imported apart from the hubs and bearings apparently.

Does this automatically mean that the galvanizing will be of a poor quality?

So my boat's  canopy - all the vinyl, the steel framework and clears are all falling apart.  They have done a good job over the years.

Without getting a quote yet, I am guessing that to replace the lot would be upward of $1500.  Unfortunately I rather not spend that money now.

So, has anyone had any experience with those cheaper bimini kits?  Like the ones below?  If so, how many years have you had it and was it stored outside with it open to protect the boat? 

www.oceansouth.com/index.php/tops/bimini-tops/4bowbimini-detail

www.kaiserboating.com.au/bimini-top/kaiser-premium-4-bow-1-9m-2-1m-light-grey-bimini-top/

As far as I can tell - they are both very similar in built quality - ie. Polyester Canvas, 25mm Aluminium tubes, Nylon & stainless fittings.  I also understand that they should be folded up for high speed towing.

Sometime in the future i am going to convert from cable / rod steering to hydraulic steering (if its not cost prohibitive).  If i win lotto it could be this year, but more likely next year.

When i have looked in the past at off the shelf hydraulic kits, its become apparent that i dont have enough clearance between the tilt pivot point and the deck to install an off the shelf product.  I just have a flat aft deck without any outboard "well" or recess.

I run a 75hp honda on a plate ali goldstar.

Has anyone had a similiar issue and how did you overcome it?

.

Have had carpet in the boat for a number of years but looking at painting deck with non slip paint instead .
Did this once before but found the paint texture with aggregate to be a bit hard on the feet.
This time I was thinking of a softer rubber type paint. Googled Kiwi Grip that I can get from whitworths or Tredgrip that I don't know where to get from.
Both of these are a form of soft rubber type waterbased paint for easy application .
Has anyone used these products or could recommend any other paint?
Not sure what the Cray boats use but something similar could do the job .
Paint is going on a Fibreglass deck .
Cheers
Paul

My boat trailer winch is on the way out and I am considering replacing it with a 4x4 car winch like this one..............

11000LBS / 5000KG Electric Winch Synthetic Rope ATV 4WD BOAT 12V Wirless Remote

Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons?

How have you attached it to the trailer?

Thanks

Andy

Ive been sifting through the website trying to get my head around all the regulations on max braked and ATM and GTM and vehicles to tow them. ( I saw on the transport site something about taking the weight thats on the tow ball off the ATM to end up with the gross weight, but now i cant find it again, got me buggered ).

My boat and trailer weighs 2600kg, my Prado has a max rating of 2500kg to tow a braked trailer. If i could subtract the weight on the tow bar it might make my Prado legal to tow it, or swap the Prado for a Landcruiser ?

Also has anyone here put the fancy braked system onto an old trailer, what would that cost me?

Just trying to weigh up my options here ?

 Morning all.. I am hoping someone will be able to assist me please. Hoping to take my young boys out tomorrow morning after about a year. Started motor and checked everything was good. I fully charged my batteries and then Accidentally reconnected the poles the wrong way. I had to change all my sounder and gps fuses, but now my motor won't even come on. There is no power coming on at all to the motor or oil or fuel. Is there anything else I can check please as I have two very disappointed 8 and 10 year olds. Any assistance would be most welcome.. Thanks so much in advance.. Don

 Howdy all

Happy Easter to everyone I need to get a hole fixed and some gouge marks re gel coated on the bottom of my hull does know of any fibre glass repairers in Rockingham cheers. Darryl

Was putting the boat cover on & heard a slight buzzing noise. Was the bilge pump (Rule 1100 with a separate float switch - pic just for visual) the light on the gang switches was on but it was in the off position so I pulled the fuse behind the switch - light still on pump still running but not full speed. When I lifted the float next to the pump it crancked up to full speed. Ended up pulling the fuse that was on the power lead direct to the battery which stopped it. Thing that throws me is it was running but only just. Any ideas on whats going on? Any thoughts on Rules v's other types?

 I'm on a large corner block and have a very large verge.  Have been parking my boat on the verge for the last 3 years with no issue, but recently I came home and found a parking ticket on the trailer.

On further research, the council fined me for parking an *un-attached* trailer in a *public place* or *throughfare*.  So they basically say that I am not allowed to park any trailer if it is not attached to a car.  This leads me to a difficult situation where I now need to park my car and boat on the street instead of having just the boat on my verge.

Has anyone else had to deal with this?  Any ideas how I could approach it?

 Howdy all

I need help before Friday thanx i intend to take the family for a ski biscuit on Friday. But at the moment my motor doesn't seem too  idle down enough after going from forward to neutral. It idles fine when I start the motor but after putting it in gear then back to neutral it doesn't idle down enough it's still reving a bit. So I need someone with a bit of tech knowledge to come and maybe do a bit of adjusting to it. All boat shops in Rockingham are booked out until April. So I would be most grateful if some knows how to do this for me at short notice I live in warnbro and it's a 90 hp 2 stroke  evinrude thank you

           Darryl

 hi all I'm sourcing first hand knowledge of what is the legal requirement for trailers needing a breaking system .The scenario I have is a boat with motor and fuel weighs in at 1600kg put this on a trailer that weighs 500kg pushes the total weight over 2 tonne 

Questions - what breaking system is now required 

Must I know source a trailer with an ATM greater than 2100 kg

thanks all 

Just a plug after some good service today. I have a 2006 Trailcraft Freestyle and thought it was about time to consider giving the trailer a birthday.
I put in new bearings every year, run bearing buddies, top up with grease after each trip and recently replaced the winch rope just incase.
My concern was the condition of the brakes, springs and the shackle bolt.
I dragged the boat to Martins Trailer parts in O'Connor. Great blokes. They had a look over it and recommended I don't do too much. Mostly cosmetic. I had set of shackle bolts already, so I did get some bushes.
The final bill. $1!
Plenty of other places would have gone here we go. replace this, replace that.
Really happy with the service and when the time comes I will head back there for sure.

 All,

Just seeking some advice with regards to some Suzuki 4 stroke outboard options I'm currently looking at for a new bow rider. It's about 6.5m in length. I'm deciding on either 1.) 175hp 2.) 4 cylinder 200hp or 3.) a V6 200hp option. I'm leaning toward the 200hp option (whether that be 4 cyl or V6) for future proofing and resale value, but 175hp would probably be OK as well.

The difference in 175 and 200 hours (4 cyl) is about 3k, to the v6 is about 4k, so it's probably splitting hairs a bit. What's people's thoughts on going to 1.) the 200 hp over the 175hp and 2.) if going to the 200 hp option, would the 4cyl version suffice or is it better going for the V6 version?

thanks in advance

 Apologies in advance fellow FW ers ...and I know this isn't protocol.  Has anyone been in touch with Feral  on FW lately? I've sent a coupla pms to him in the last month and had no reply as yet after he had been in contact with me via PM on FW. He maybe  Fifo or away on holidays. Appreciate any feedback thanks folks.. and apologies again. 

Dad is not currently using his boat and has decided to sell. But what is it worth?

The boat is a 1971 Quintrex Fishabout, has been stored in a shed, used for river fishing, the motor is 1988 Classic Mecury 2 stroke that has done about 300 hours.

Hull is good conditions but could do with a coat a paint. The trailer (brake back) is in good condition. Both boat and trailer are registered.

Here' s a question that might be a bit out there. 

I read lots of posts about re chipping or remapping ECM's in vehicles, particularly diesels but also petrol engines. Soooo . . . . . . can you remap the ECM on an outboard or are they already tuned to the max.

From what I understand, a lot of the 4 stroke outboards out there are basically car engines that have been beefed up to handle the consistently higher engine revs and maintain reliability. That being the case are these engines detuned so as to stress the engine less ? For example a Yamaha 115 is 1.8 litres and puts out 90kw or thereabouts, not much compared to modern car engines ?

Im not sure if re chipping is the way to go as I can't ever recall reading or seeing anything on chips for outboards. However, re flashing the ECM and changing the engine mapping seems to be the current flavour for vehicles so would outboards be the same ?

For interest sake I would like to hear feedback or real life experience that anyone might have on this.

 Can anyone advise where I can get this done. Or has anyone used a printer before they can recommend.

Cheers

 After my post in 2015 asking questions on the costs involved with a Baron Sportsman project boat I thought I would chuck a new post out there with update photos of my Baron "Bight Club"

 Hi my trailer is starting to get a bit of rust apearing on the main frame.

Has any one put sacrificial anodes similar to those on cray pots to slow the rusting process on their trailers ?

How many would you think a trailer for a 20ft boat would need ?

Would you think they would work ?

I would appreciate any ffedback .

Cheers Paul

 Howdy all

tonight I noticed this oil on my Skeg would it suggest a prop seal or maybe something else and would it cause damage if not fixed soon cheers.

 Looks like this could be it. Google Penguin Ultimate and look at the images. There a quite a few shots. I like this one, he's fairly hooting along.

Bought this boat last year but still unsure of the model.  Is it a Penguin Ultimate ?  , or Huntress, or Sportsfisher ?   Its 6.560 mtrs from bow to transom. Im told the Ultimates are 7mtrs, 23 ft so not sure if they include the duck board wich takes it to seven metres.   Ive owned quite a few boats over the years, alloy, glass, and wooden. Very suprised with its sea handling for a 30 year old boat. Put it through its paces in a shitty southerly, and handles better than some of the new boats ive been on. Nice heavy hull, deep V and good in a following sea and sits on the chines well.

Just though there might be some Penguin owners on here that can help answer my question as to what model Penguin it is ?

Have found a few Penguin Ultimate 23s as comparison, the photos below this one. And have also noticed alot of the Penguins have this same type of trailer, up until they were up graded at some stage.

Cheers