I have a 25 foot ali with a 280hp inboard with a vovlo penta 230leg thats been giving me the royal sh*ts for the past few years, and just recently the shaft has slipped in the gear box and will only go forward....the hull is sound. Thequestion ihave is has any1 converted to an outboard? Whats ppls recommend outboard hp is should be looking at for a 25foot ali, , should I go for a pod?? What would the cost for a pod be???? Or is there other options I sould consider!!! the minister of finance has given me the go ahead to get it fixed....think she is sick of me sitting around the house........thanks

Hi guys,

I have a Lowrance HDS5x Gen 1 that's in desparate need of a software upgrade to 4.1.

I run it next to a navman chartplotter and it's been doing a good job at low speeds, however I lose bottom as soon as I'm up over 10 knots. It's next to useless for finding ground whilst on the plane. I've moved tranducer around a bit and tried a range of settings, however I think it needs the software update. From the research I've done the software update apparently makes quite a large difference to bottom hold.

It's a good little sounder and I can't justify buying a new one at this point (wedding, house, etc etc.).

As it doesn't have an SD card slot, I need to network it with another HDS unit with an SD slot to transfer the software.

Does anybody in the Bicton, attadale, East Freo area have a HDS unit and wouldn't mind helping me out? I have a networking cord, the software on an SD card and can bring my sounder around with its power cord and a 12v battery to run it whilst doing the upgrade.

6 pack of boags premium or a feed of squid in it for you, your choice.

Thanks guys, appreciate any help!

Cheers,

Nick

Hello Fishwrecked'ers

I recently re-powered my Seafarer Victory 6.0 with a new Yamaha F-175 and I'm trying to fine tune the handling and prop selection to compensate for the extra transom weight, Previously it had the original Evinrude Ocean Pro 150 2 stroke. 

I keep hearing that if new 4 strokes arent' propped to be able to reach their max rpms ~6000, it can effect the engines life annd cause damage. . .

The engine currently reaches 5700 rpm, is this good enough? or do I need to go down in Pitch?

Thanks! 

 Hi,

looking to convert my pacemaker trendsetter runaboat to a half cabin, wondering if it as simple as

removing the runaboat top and fitting a half cabin top, re-arranging steering electrics etc ?

Also anyone have a half cab top available, condition no big issue as can repair if need be.

any help appreciated.

 hi I'm currently running a single 300 and I'm thinking of going to twin 200's. Both four strokes and on a 26 proline We are doing massive miles and normally have 4 people on board plus all the gear.

I dunno weather I'm gonna gain or loose. Can anyone shed some light on the pro's and cons on these set ups?

Thank you

Hello boaties of fishwrecked,

I am looking at buying my first tinnie in the not to distant future, and was wondering what the life span of a well serviced 40hp Honda 4 stroke would be? The boat I have my eye on has a 2002 model fitted to it and has 520 hours on it. Full service records are available for it.

I know industrial and farm machinery can go thousands of hours and be fine and am wondering if that's the case with boat engines? 

Any info would be great.

Cheers.

 have a problem with my boat trailer brakes. Every time I put my foot on the brake pedal the left hand rear caliber locks ups and won't unlock without persuasion. 

So I can't move the boat without leaving everything disconnected. I would say caliper needs to come off and over hauled. Pain in the butt.

Anyone know of a mechanic who could help would be great.

Cheers

Craig

 Gday Fishwreckers,

Im looking for a good trustworthy mechanic who can come out to the Woodman's boat shed to do annual servicing and various bits on my 4.9 meter Ali Seaquest. Im just so sick of having to rely on mechanics who would rather be working on ocean liners than taking care of the little recreational fisho's boats. This disregard by the bigger guys has led to some pretty dangerous situations out on the water and Ive just had enough of details being overlooked just because I have a small boat and not a million dollars....Anyway, any recommendations of some good guys who are interested in helping the owners of smaller boats would be great.

Cheers...

 Hi Guys

I'm looking for someone who can make a foam sandwiched carbon fibre panel. Needs to be 6mm thick, 500mm wide by 300mm high. Needs to have a hole cut in the centre to mount a GPS to be fitted to a flat dash. I will fit myself. Prefer the edges to be bull nosed.

I have googled everything I can think of and I can't find anything in Perth. I did find someone called Carbon Weasel in UK and I have sent them the details looking for a price delivered to Perth.

Is anyone aware of any carbon fibre fabricators in Perth or Australia that might be able to do this ?

cheers

At idle there are bubbles coming out from behind the prop in between the prop and housing it has just had the prop shaft seal replaced and has been pressure tested but first trip out i have noticed these bubbles im guessing exhaust has anyone heard of this problem and what causes it

 i just fitted my lockable fuel cap that i got the other day to stop fuel thieves,sometimes it pays to look on line,could not find any lockable fuelcaps in australia,tried every where,even local boat shops,like to keep everything local,but couldnt do it,even cheaper in america for  5 dollars more inluding postage,hope our sponsors take note

Just Wondering if anyone has any experience with the Raymarine EV-100 Power Autopilot system?

 Hi all,

Need a stainless steel targa bar made for my 21ft whittley walkaround. 

Anyone had similar work done recently by someone that they could recommend?

Cheers

I'm looking at insuring my boat. Just after some info on anybodys recommendations on insurers.

Cheers Paul

looking at upgrading the outboard to a 30 hp evirude etec
anyone got one of these below ,
how do rate it ?/
power trim tilt and start looks the one possibly ?

hezzy

http://www.evinrude.com/en-au/engines/etec_inlines/etec_30_inline

Are there any local FW members / sponsors who could make a bait table / live bait tank like the one in the link below for around the $500 mark.  I would prefer it to be painted but that could be something negotiated out of the deal if need be.

These ones sell for $419 + $75 postage.  If I could get one made locally for about the same price, I would be very happy.

https://www.prowave.com.au/store/bait-board-bait-tanks/bait-board-live-bait-tank-sml/

 Hi Fishwreckers,

Anybody have any good ideas on how to free up stuck plastic ( nylon?) zips on my clears?

Has anyone re powered lately in the 90hp four stroke & two stroke class?
I am looking at re powering my Caribbean 4.88 Offshore. Currently got the 04' Merc 75 2 stroke. Looking to get into the 90hp 4 stroke.
Currently looking at the NEW mercury 90hp 4 stroke, Suzuki 90hp, Yam 80hp & the Etec 90hp.

In my opinion I think Mercury are stepping up to the plate with their new 4 strokes in this class, AND at a price that the others (apart from Etec) cant match.

Just thought I would ask for some opinions on this HP class, what others have bought, what dealers are good in SW WA (Perth down to Duns)

Cheers

I don't suppose anyone has a dead E 30 that can be used for parts.

 Hey Fellas,

Need to get the trailer lights redone on the trailer and also the bearings checked before a few family holidays coming up, (I know the lights are probably an easy job am fairly pressed for time with exams starting next week)

Could anyone recommend places SOR that would generally look over the whole trailer and fix the lights/ do the bearings? Have learnt my lesson with getting the bearings done after blowing them severly early this year! 

Cheers

 Just wondering if anyone can give me any info, I was wondering what is required to relicence a boat, what do I need and where do I go etc, thanks for any help in advance

Does anyone run one of these dual port pumps for their deck wash / live bait tank?

http://www.chsmith.com.au/Products/Johnson-Twin-Port-Live-Well-Pump.html

They are in fact a live bait tank pump with an additional outlet before the pump for your deck wash to connect to, therefore only requiring one pick up point.

They are also intended to attach directly to a through hull skin fitting / stop cock, but I don't particularly want to introduce that into my otherwise sealed hull (just introducing a potential leaking point).  I am thinking of mounting it externally on the transom and connecting by hose to my existing deck wash pick up which is a forward facing s/s tube type.

Has anyone else used these pumps in a similar installation (successfully)?  Rule do a similiar product

Hello All

I’m looking for marine electrician who might want to do a bit of work to my boat. I can pay in cash or beer.

I have a Raymarine GPS/Sounder with DSM module and a VHF which don’t seem to be getting enough amps when the engines idling. Possibly due to loose or rusted wires somewhere in the wiring. The GPS works fine but the sounder running a 1kw through hull transducer or the VHF can’t get enough amps at idle. Once the revs are increased she all starts working again.

So, appreciate if anyone interested can PM me and perhaps work something out for this or next weekend.

Cheers

Jarrod

Hey fellas,

Wanted to pick the brains of some of the more experienced boaties.

I have a 4.75m Quintrex Bayhunter runabout. It has a 4cyl 2stroke 40 on the back. Normally its happy to get on the plane and run at about 20 knots at WOT around 5500 rpm.

On the w'end it was quite loaded with weight. Not thinking i had loaded all the 'extra' weight into the bow, ie Tackle boxes, eskies, etc... Not to mention we had 3 guys on board where normally its just two.

Heading out from hillarys it was not happy. She didnt want to go over 7-8 knots but was still revving at 5500rpm. It sounded like she was really 'bogged down' and didn't even feel like it was coming close to getting on the plane (felt like i was in a displacement hull). I also had all 3 ppl at the front of the boat, two in the front seats (obviously) and one inbetween, plus 70L of fuel in the under floor fuel tank.

I had a quick play with the power trim to no benefit and put it down to the motor having sat for a while and potentially being gummed up with unburnt 2 stroke oil because it had only been ran in the driveway over the past few weeks/months. But the more i think of it the less this makes sense as the motor was still running at max rpm.

Anyway after our first stop, and the obvious moving of tackle boxes etc she seemed to come good. Happy to get on the plane and able to do 17knots. It was like a different boat. Motor sounded like it was revving alot easier and it felt as normal. It continued like this all day, so i thought it confirmed that it was just clearing itself out.

We even came back into the ramp at 19/20 knots. However, the more i think of it, the more i think it was the weight being distributed more evenly that made all the difference.

I've had 4 people on it before in the mandurah estaury with two sitting at the stern and it was happy to get on the plane and 'rev easy'.

So i'm after opinions. Did i make a rookie mistake by loading up the front/bow of the boat?

Cheers,

Steve

(Sorry for the long winded story)

Hi guys
The rubbing strakes on my glass boat have started coming loose for the 3rd time in 4 years. The previous two times we had it fixed by our local dealer, he used a two part epoxy to fasten it to the fibreglass strip it clamps onto, but it has started coming loose again. Does anybody have a suggestion on someone who can fix it (hopefully better) or any other tips on how to fix this?

Looking to clean my boat on a weekly basis plus every time that I take it out but seem to be getting a lot of hard water build up, what products do people recommend to clean there boats and seems a silly question but techniques etc.

 i have been looking on the internet for info on hiring boat stands for my boat to some trailer maintanance but cant find any info in perth exept for sale in the us on e bay,any help would be appreciated .............

Recently purchased a new ICOM M412 to replace my old GME VHF.

One problem I came across was the original hole cut into the aliminium was to big for the ICOM and also ICOM dont sell a flush mount bracket like GME do.

I thought I would help out anyone else with the same problem.

Gme have a flush mount bracket that fits the ICOM-  MK002W wide flush mounting kit. Very tight fit however it filled up the gap that the gme left.

 Hi all,

Was out on the swan on wed and prop has hit something in the water, it has destroyed the propeller and looks to have slightly bent the prop shaft which was noticable once i removed the propeller once at boat ramp. I have been reading countless forums on what could have happened the $$$$$$ factor and how to repair. Does anyone know where i could get the shaft repaired as i have read this is possible i will be pulling it apart next week to asses further but will be replacing bearings and seals once the shaft is out!!

Any help or advice would be appreciated to get a start....

 Hi guys,

I am looking at buying a small 3.5 - 3.7 to tow around with my jayco eagle caravan. Just after some advice on brands. Which can you recommend and why.

Quintrex

Seajay

Makocraft

Bluefin

or any others

josh