Boating/Engine - Information/Questions - Trouble Shooting - Quick Fixes

Having trouble, new boat, general boating information and questions, ask here!

Cleaning Boat Windscreen -What to use

Guys what do you recommend on your boat windscreens.

I have a quintrex-no wipers and the sticker on the screen advises just to use water but it still gets lots of water stains etc.


Boat Anchor Rope Recommendations

I have 6.1 Metre Quintrex ally (Ocean sport). It is currently fitted with 45 metres of what seems to be about 15mm nice soft Nylon anchor rope and 4 metres of anchor chain. The entire length seems to short for anchoring in 30 metres of water etc for fishing if going by the 3 to 1 ratio. The size of the existing rope also seems excessive??

Need recommendations for a suitable size/length and type of anchor rope for my boat. I will be using a anchor retrieval system in some instances as I got the retrieval system with my boat. It will mainly be for general use around Perth/Rottnest and Exmouth region.

Was think of splicing 50 metres of 12mm silver anchor rope from BCF into the existing line ($60 a roll) will splicing an anchor rope be ok, is 12mm to thick etc??


Dewatering Additive

 Has anyone used a dewatering additive in their fuel?

I run a separator on the fuel filter but just want to be sure the fuel is 100% clean.

 

mike


dometic freezer needs attention.

 Anyone on site here a refrigerator mechanic?  I have a 40 l dometic 3 way fridge freezer that the motor runs but doesn't cool down.  I suspect it has a gas leak or needs re-gasing.   I would like someone to look at it, tell me what's wrong, give me a quote on fixing it, but then there is no hurry in actually fixing it, as long as it is done before May 2014 for my steep point trip.


Rollers

Just hoping to gain some wisdom from the guys with a heap more experience than me.

Firstly the keel/centerline of the hull on my 2yo new first boat :) is getting a hammering from some contact with the trailer, a Dunbier. There are some deep scratches all through. I thoughth I had solved the problem thinking the hull was catching on one side of the mounting that holds the centre rear roller and so I filed the sharp 90 degree corner down a little, I'm thinking of taking more off. Also the centre rollers are what looks like the soft black cheapie ones.

My question is has anyone had the same issue?

And also I think I will change the centre roller to a harder? type.. not sure so looking for some advice. Can do pics later if needed.

Thanks


I Need Help With Make,Year and Model Of My Boat Please??????

I have just brought this little half cab and was wandering whether anyone could tell me what it is, I've been told it's a Mustang 1500 and on the rego it's got Stebercraft. By any chance does anyone actually know what make, year and model it actually is?

Any help at all would be much appreciated.

Happy boating and fishing!

Cheers,
Lawrie


Window seal

Got a mate who has recently bought a commodore 670 and it leaks water in through the seal around the window.Has anyone here replaced this before and who supplies it? Cheers


peeling paint

 Dear friends,

 I have just purchased a new MAKO craft, made by the stessl company. There was no warranty on the paint job on the boat as the company used a so called pre-primer mixed in with the paint and it didnt work.Hence the paint has started to peel off in patches, this doesnt worry me as got the boat $3k chaeaper.

What I would like to know from all you wise men is if I use a paint stripper to get the rest off,will this effect the aluminium?

Many thanks.

Ralph


Smartcraft gauges

 G'day, does anyone have smartcraft gauges on their boat? Is the litres used accurate? I took my boat out for the first time on Sunday and the fuel used on the tripmeter is way different to what's left in the tank. Bit worrying when the fuel level gauge says 70 litres used but tripmeter says 37 used!


Question regarding Structural Strength - Fibreglass

Gents, i have myself a little 14ft glass runabout, shes old but sturdy and does the job. However I am sick and tired of sitting on flipping wodden plank seats! I want to remove them and either not run any seating or replace with a more arse friendly seating arrangement.

 

The only quesiton i have before ripping these abominations out is, would they contribute at all the the structural rigidity of the craft itself? There are only 2 of these 'seats' which span the width of the boat and they appear to have been fixed and glassed in.

 

Could I simply attack them with the circular saw to remove and clean up where they attached to the sides or is there more to it?

 

Thanks in advance

Jarryd 


Install hand rail on Haines

Hey, i would like to install a few handrails on my haines 565c, but the gunwale's are round, not flat. The only ones I can find for sale have a flat base, so won't conform to the gunale. Any ideas?

 

Cheers,


barcrusher external antenna

 To all you barcrusher owners with a c model and has had problems with signal dropping out with a lowrance then fit a powered external antenna and solve your problems best thing i have done .


Water near the bilge pump

Hi Guy....

 

Yesterday we have done the first launch . just wondering is it normal to have accumulate water near bilge pump ( probably around 1- 2 liters), the previous owner said it is normal because of the water from swell . we turn the bilge pump on twice ( 30 second)  just to empy the water for  boating for 4 hours . The deck still dry.

 

i will post the pict

 

Thanks


Dingy advice

 I have a slight twist in my dingy can some one advise me the best way to straighten it. Do I just lose. The seats straighten the boat and re tak the seats ??

 

please help!


perspex boat screens

The screens in my boat are getting hazy, I've tried polishing out but think I'm up for new ones. Is it "special" perspex or normal and is it just cheaper and easier to get them done? Anyone done their own and where do you get it from? cheers dave


New Boat Trailer

Hey,

I'm looking at buying a new trailer for my 565C Haines, will only be towing for short trips may up to half an hour from home (Rockingham area) so doesn't have to be built too strong, but legal of course and I also drive like a nanna (really slow, not the cutting off part).

 

Do not want to go over the 5k - looking at either Papas or Seatrail? what are your thoughts? 

 

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/east-fremantle/other-boats-jet-skis/seatrail-trailer/1014553432

 

fib5.7m14t $4150 suit fib boat upto 5.7m tandem walkway - This seems like a good price........but too good to be true?

 

Thanks for your help/advice! 


Alutech poly rib

Hey guys, 

I picked this up earlier this year but haven't had time to put it on the water yet, it's made by Alutech and the guy I got it from claimed it was previously used by an AB diver. I don't know how true that is but it looks to me like it would handle the water well and be very stable at rest. 

Just wondering if any one knows anything about these as I can't find any info on them.


old evinrude outboard

 hey there

 

Ive got an old 1974 70hp 2 stroke evinrude that im wanting to get a service, does anyboad know of a good place SOR (pref around fremantle area) i can take her to,she maybe old but shes never let me down yet starts first pop everytime but im not sure the last time she had a service so think she deserves a bit of a pompering!! 

 

cheers 


antifoul removal, sodablasting etc?-updated

who has removed antifoul from their fibreglass boats, and via what method? Sodablasting I believe leaves pitting in gelcoat and will need recoating? Peelaway and similar products seem to only remove the antifoul and leave the epoxy barrier coat? Any other suggestions or success/horror stories?


deck paint

 hi guys , just wondering as i am after a good grip paint for my new deck on my douglascraft runabout. any ideas would be appreciated.


Ali boat touch up tips

Hi Guys,

Looking at touching up quite a few scratches and chips in the white paintwork on my ali boat but not too sure how to go about it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on which paint to use, how to prepare it etc? Will I need to paint entire panel sections on the boat so the new paint and old paint don't look different?

Cheers


GME epirb safety alert

 G'day all. I'm about to buy an epirb for my tub and have been researching the available options. On GME's site they have a safety alert www.gme.net.au/public/pdf/brochures/epirb%safety%20alert.pdf   


Boat Trailers

OK so all this talk of heavy boats on trailers with the associated risks is starting to worry me.

I am running a 685 Cruise Craft with twin 4 strokes on a 3t trailer. Problem is that with a full tank of fuel and a couple of full water bladders plus all the fishing gear and bits and pieces that we lug around I reckon I am very close to my legal limit. This is especially so when we do trips away to Carnarvon, Coral Bay etc with all the additional gear that goes into the boat. So questions are:

  • If I am running overweight and I am involved in a MV incident where towing may play a part, do I get any leeway legally ie do they allow say 10% over  or is it 3,000 or less = OK, 3,001kgs or more = not OK
  • exactly what is involved in upgrading the trailer from a legal limit of 3T to 3.5T
  • I guess I have to assume new axles, springs, hangers etc but can I retain existing hubs, calipers, rims etc
  • I am currently running ford slimline bearings in my hubs but I think these are too light and would prefer to go to a heavier bearing, does that mean new hubs and if I get new hubs does that mean new calipers as well.
  • Can I get to 3.5T with 14 inch alloys (standard Dunbier issue)
  • My trailer looks to be in reasonable condition but perhaps a couple of the cross members look a little tatty so if I am upgrading would probably change them over as well

Now having 10 thumbs and not being that technically minded I would be looking to have someone reliable do the work. Can anyone recommend anyone who can do the job from start to finish including the re-registering part ?

I would appreciate any feedback on the above and any recommendations for prospective people to do the work. I should add that I am SOR

cheers


Installation of new cable steering

After my last post of a broken steering cable, I bought another and ready for installation.

 

When inserting the end of the cable (outboard end) through the tilt tube, do you use grease or oil?  I have heard so many different views, I am confused.

 

Thank you


Oil leak

I hope you guys can help me as i have a black oil coming from the join between my mid and lower unit. It's only recently started to show the oil after its been sitting for a few days. Could it be my oil mixture is too rich? Outboard is a 55hp 2 stroke Evinrude

Thanks in advance


Marine Trimmer SOR

So looking at getting a new canopy put on the boat as the old one has ripped and stretched and was thinking at the same time I'd get some clears put on.

Been ringing around a few places but quotes are varying from $700ish to over $1000. 

I don't want to get it done cheaply and have it fall apart in 12 months but at the same time don't want to pay anymore then I have to. I live SOR so somewhere close by would be great but don't mind travelling for good work.

 


Casual pens for hire in the swan?

Does anyone familiar with the river know if any of the yacht clubs etc rent short term (3 or 4 days) casual pens for 7 meter boat?

Thinking about bringing the boat over the xmas holidays and staying on board with a couple of the kids while exploring the river and Rotto.


Pledge to save on parking $$

My local and very underused ramp has now decided charge for parking which pisses me off (as it is an underused ramp).  So, I am making a pledge, and asking all of us to do the same.

If your parking ticket has extra time on it after you come back, put the ticket in the machine's slot so that the next person may use it and save.


Antenna Swap??

FW followers,

 

I have recently replaced my old 27mg radio with a new icom VHF and new antenna

I am also running a Fusion ipod/am/fm stereo setup as well.

Question being my old am/fm antenna is passed its used by date. Can i use the newer 27mg antenna for my am/fm stereo? Or will it not pick up that frequency?

 

Cheers,


First boat

I'm on the verge of going halfs in a first boat with a friend. Just wondering has anyone any info on the CARIBBEAN BARON 18ft type boats? The hull is 1986 and is in exceptional condition and the outboard is a Mercury 2 stroke 135hp year 1995 with which we plan to get rebuilt for a quoted price of $2000. 

Any info would be really appreciated on the type of boat, engine and quoted price for the rebuild.

Cheers Lads