Guys....

Hopefully everything will  be good . Next week I will launch my first tub .

Just wondering  any recommendation for  easy boat ramp not too many  people and don't want to make other fisho angry as well, therefore I am looking to find an  easy boat ramp.

Will try to practice launching and retrieving and will try to do this on weekdays

I live near osborne park  anywhere within radius of 15 km will be good

Cheers

Bono

 Hey guys I'm currently looking at a 4m (13ft) fiberglass half cabin for my first fishing/crabing boat, it has a 30hp mercury on the back bilge pump nav lights bow rail so on so on. 

Would this be ok to take to rotto for a day or two? 

Also what are people's views on fiberglass boats? The one I am looking at was made in 1970 but has been looked after by the owner for the past 7 years and in that time it has been repaired and resprayed in marine/aviation grade paint. 

Views and advice anyone? 

Cheers

mike

Hi All,

Am Chasing a little info form any trailer experts who might be on here!

I recently broke the rear axle on the boat trailer that tow's my 3+tonne fury around, going round a round about.

I went down to Martins trailer parts to get some pricing on replacing the axles. I knew the axles were under rated for the weight so i asked the guys at Martins trailer parts to quote up bigger axles and any additional parts required.

Now Martins recommended replacing the current axles with 2.25T axles (Total 4.5 Tonne). This requires new hubs(2.25T Each), discs, Rims, Tyres, bearings and possibly brake Callipers. This is where I am unsure on the actual rating requirements to support the weight of boat and trailer.

Currently i have 2 x 1T axles, 1T Hubs. (the 1T axles is actually the Stub rating, the axle itself is 2T.) I've had these in for 5 years.

The question i have with Dual or tri axle trailers, is what should the actual load rating be per Axle / Hub? Does each axle need to be rated to the weight of boat and trailer? Same with each hub? or does the gross rating across all the runn ing gear need to be equivelent or above the actual boat and trailer weight?

There is an option to use smaller Axles 1.5T axles, which would then allow me to use the current Rim's and Tyres rather than shelling out another 1,200 - 1,500 for new ones. Still 1.5T axles will only just cover the gross weight of the boat and trailer.

Any advice would be appreciated. I've no problems doing the work myself. The only Concern i had from Martins trailer parts was that they wouldnt order the Calliper bracket for the new axles, and wanted me to cut off the old ones so they could weld them on. Doesnt make a lot of sense welding on a rusted bracket to me.

Cheers

Bodie

So how do you extend your journey if your fuel tank dosn't have the capacity. Do you have a reserve tank, and a selector valve.
Do you carry jerry cans, how do you safely transfer the fuel?

 Does anybody know if you are allowed to use a plastic jerry can as a fuel tank?

With a little modification of the pouring cap (drill a hole in it) and add a strainer/weight to the end of the fuel line to keep it at the bottom and a stopper so it doesn't get pulled out of the tank and you have a $30.00 fuel tank.

It sits better in my boat with a retaining strap and doesn't take up a huge amount of floor space.

I already carry a small 10ltr one for emergencies.

Any thoughts?

Steve

 Fishing out of port hedland and wanting to get out to 24 beacon which is a few hundred metres into the offshore requirements needing a radio and offshore flares... I only have a 14 ft tinny and was wondering if I can get a hand held radio to use both onshore and offshore I lieu of wiring up a fixed unit in the boat... Is this able to be done? 

A bit of a boating mishap today with a snapping noise heard then no control of the outboard. The steering wheel has now got unlimited travel. The outboard can be moved by hand left and right and the steering arm rod moves with the outboard.
When the outboard is manually moved, there is no movement at the wheel.

The outboard is a 100HP Yammy 4 stroke with cable steering.

Sounds to me like a broken cable but cannot tell where it is. In either case, I presume a new one is in order.

Thank you

Gday all,

Anyone know where I can get my canopy fixed around the Dunsborough/Busso area? The stitching has deterioated along the zippers, but the rest is still in pretty good nick.

I'd prefer to use a local mob, but if need be I'd take in to someone in Bunbury.

Hey guys

Chasing any info to point me in the right direction. Looking at giving a 20+ yr Haines a birthday and was thinking of replacing the Moulded front screen that is still serviceable but showing signs of wear and tear. It appears to be a smoke (dark) tinted acrylic or similar and 1 piece so it would have to be a exact dimension copy to fit into the same edgeing and support etc.

Does anyone have personal experience of a good local supplier (reliable) and any ideas on what sort of costing can be expected. I would appreciate any info related.

Hi Guys

After working for sometime

Just trying to find out whether anyone has used Meguires PlastX to restore their Acrylic windscreen?

Currently the screen has some light scratching from the cover travelling back from Shark bay, hoping this may clear it up again as just replaced the windscreen it 6 months ago.

 Hi all, 

i remember seeing a while while ago at one of the boat shows a completely removable trailer hub assembly. By this I mean that the square axle was bolted to the springs as per normal, and then between the springs and the actuall hub there was a square flange plate assembly. So should you manage to cook a bearing it is a case of simply removing 4 major bolts that bolt the 2x square flange assemblies together and then bolting up another complete hub ready to go.

i am chasing the info on who actually makes these and if anyone has any feedback on the good and bad points of them.

any info greatly appreciated

scano

Had a mobile mechanic come around and do a mobile service on my outboard several years ago in Onslow, he had a vacuum oil extractor for removing the sump oil. It was bloody brilliant and he was selling them as well, but he wanted $300 for one.

Anyway I didn't buy one but about six weeks ago I needed to service the quad so I thought I might tried and find one online.

I ended up getting one from West Marine in the US, it was on special and after postage it cost me $161 AU. They do have a smaller version (2.5L) but I got the larger 6.5L model.

Just gave it the test run on the quad, and I'll be doing the 150hp yamaha outboard next weekend. Too easy.

Good thing is the oil is all contained in the pump reservoir and can then be poured straight from the reservoir into a waste container, no mess and very quick.

Here's a few pics for those who may be interested.

 Hey guys, I'm buying a quintrex 385 explorer and want to know the best way to mount an electric motor? Motor will need to be front mounted but there isn't much room up front? Can a minn Kota or similar electric motors be mounted to the railing? Also it has a 15hp Honda 4stroke on it, what size would best suit this boat? Will be mainly used for chasing bream on lures. Thanks guys, Ash

 Hi guys 

Looking at putting a seat behind the centre console.

The reasons for putting the seat in is to get more storage, make somewhere to sit for long drives out, make a place to anchor the t top without drilling holes in the deck and somewhere to keep the ice box.

My thought is to get an ali toolbox and put the icebox on top, with the idea of using the box for the storage of random stuff, tools, spare anchor, spare jackets etc... im looking for a box with the dimensions of 700 wide by 350 deep by 350 tall. conveniently the icebox is the same width as console.

I have had a look online and called a few places but cant find anything to suit with close to my dimensions, anybody had the same dilema ? Any experience with a custom fabricator? One guy said he could do it for 350 to 400 which is a little bit over what I was hoping to spend. The other option is to just get a box that is 700 wide by 350ish deep by 700 odd tall and put the ice somewhere else.

I have a rear backrest that needs re covering etc. Can anyone recomend someone that does a good job at a fair price..thanks Scott

 Hi crew

i have 2 pacific aerials fitted to my boat they look to be the long reach range 1.8m with stainless steel ferules(the screw on bit).  One has a white tip and the other has a blue tip.  I am assuming one is 27meg and the other might be vhf.  I have new vhf and 27meg units but am not sure if my aerials have been operating correctly as I sometimes can't get some reception to transmit.  I think I could have them the wrong way around or may need to check the ferrule connection.

i have googled extensively but been unable to find out what the tip colour means on this brand, can any one help?

cheers

Rig

 Hi all....I've just purchased a new boat and want to install a desalination unit on it. I've done my research but would be interested in what subscribers to this site have to say. Trying to work out which unit to go for and what capacity i should get. I've seen ranges from 70 - 240 L/hour. Main use for boat is visiting Rotto for a few day (a week at most). Any suggestions / feedback welcome. Cheers 

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beeliar/other-boats-jet-skis/boat-/1029873338

free boat on gumtree!

After talking with my mate a few weeks ago about the close calls i have had with bearings and hubs, i told him to get straight onto fixing his trailer up so he wont get caught out one day.

Well Sunday afternoon at 5pm on his way back from Mandurah on the freeway ..... BANG. Tyre and rims gone and this was the final result.

After 4 hours stuck on the side of the road and $600 tow from Thomas road exit to Madeley NOR. I Think he has learnt his lesson.

Funny when its not you!!!!!!

Have just acquired a set of SLT10 Bennett trim tabs. Just wondering if anyone has installed these on their boats and what if any, opinions they have of them.

Thanks in advance.

 Hi all

         After some info on Ocean Master boat ,had a look at one at the boat show on weekend and wondering if any one had one or knows of someone with one.Any info good or bad.....

    Cheers Davo   

So the project has started , I have finally bitten the bullet and decided to replace my transom prior to re powering , after much deliberation iv chosen to do what I can to save myself some money , The boat cost me two bottles of scotch and a bottle of gin , I spent $1200 last year on the trailer to get it licenced and in good working order, was quoted $4500 to replace transom , so far to get this done its cost me $1000 to remove transom and re fibreglass it, with an expected $200-$400 to gelcoat and paint (heres hoping ) so far its cost a lot more than what I purchased for but at the bargain price I got cant really complain.
Thought I would share a few pics and my experience here

Im chasing a forward control outboard for my tub , the merc has shit itself beyond repair , needs to be working and reliable for family boat
thanks

 Hi guys. I have purchased my first new boat. It's a 6 metre longboat similar to the SouthWinds. I have these questions to ask as it is hull only and need to kit out with motor etc.

The transom is rated from 60hp-100hp (25 inch).I will put the biggest motor possible as I want to do this setup once and not regret anything in the future. The question I have is if I went for 100hp 4 stroke or 100hp 2stroke,well there is a difference of around 50kg between these 2 variants. I have asked the dealer if the specs for the transom are 2 or 4 stroke sizes/weights and he said it wouldn't matter as the boat can easily handle either.

The other question I have which I'm sure has come up a few times before is which engine to choose?

If I go the biggest possible which is 100hp or similar can those that have experienced both types of engines please give me feedback on brands as this will help me make my decision on brand/variant.

I'm  liking the four strokes due to fuel economy but have heard the later 2 strokes are much better than the older models. 

The boat will be used mainly in the Pilbira and would definitely need to be reliable. 

Thnks in advance :-)

Fishing out of Coral Bay, we dropped in on a VHF conversation between VMR and a boat with a flat battery.

There seemed noone else to assist so we cut a little short our fishing and headed in 10 miles to assist.

The boat was in quite an awkward spot, close inside the breakers, 5 meters up wind/current of a shallow bomby and a bit of breeze. 

With 4 blokes holding boats apart and one watching for anchor dragging we rafted up hooked up leads and took 15 minutes to get enough boost to get started.

No problem, back at ramp at 1700. A carton was supplied despite our insisting it wasnt needed and the beer and cameraderie well savoured. No prob whatsoever there and its a good feeling to have helped, being a typically superstitous lifelong seafarer.

The irritatation? When we got there, another very modern boat was anchored less than 1km away who wasnt logged in and VHF "wasnt working".

The same day in Exmouth a bloke died and others pulled alive from the water.

If you dont feel you need to log in (as i hadnt on that particular day also) how would you feel if people drowned 1000m away while you sat anchored scratching your ass oblivious to their plight?

if your vessel is fitted with VHF, it is law that you monitor 16 at all times for this very reason.

http://boatlatch.com/index.htm

Anyone use one of these, or something similar? Effective?

Interested in one for my boat, but unsure how it will hold up to the weight.

Cheers

Bodie

Hi guys,

Recently bought a pressure washer (1800psi ).
Is it ok to wash my fibreglass boat with it or could it be harmful to gelcoat.

Cheers for advice,
Joycey

 Hi all just wondering if any of you guys use a lewmar profish 7000 series anchor winch and what are your thoughts and where did u buy it 

 have a lowrance hds gen 2 GPSis there anyway to remove all way point in one hit from them? (not erase like copy)