As per some previous posts I am going across to collect my 6.1 Quintrex Ocean Sport Boat and tow it back from Victoria. Spoke to a couple of people who have boats and read a few posts on this. Not clear on this matter so putting this to the good people on Fishwreck to get a better idea and experiences re boat covers when towing long distance especially from the east.

I have been told that I should not really worry about a cover over the boat when doing this journey as the boat will be empty and is pretty aerodynamic (See Pic) so it will not really affect fuel economy that much from a covered. Further it will save money for a custom cover when get back to WA (was thinking about one of those $329 covers at Whitworths etc). I am also advised that the roads are pretty clean and stones should be not to much of an issue and if needed I can tape bubble wrap, use tarps at the front or even tape modified removalist blankets to cover the front of the hull above the chines.

Who has done this trip or long distance trips on bitumen like this without the boat being covered. Does it make any difference to fuel etc. It is more painful than it is worth setting up tarps etc.

Regards

Murf

 hey boys my new boat has a brand new battery world marine battery do uses all way charge your batteries after a day out or after a weekend went out today I have sounder gps and sterio and wanna head out tomoz but dont wanna ruin my battery buy constenly charging it 

Looking for someone to strip, dip & blow my two carbies on my 1978 Johnson 115hp

I've got the rebuild/seal kits from sierra and most of the bolts off already

Looking for a mobile mechanic to do this, any recomendations and ideas of cost?

Can pay cash

 hey guys got the new boat ready for sunday I havnt had a boat with radio in it I have a booklet with emergency channels on it but what's the best genral channel to have it on during the day :)

In around 12 months I'm hoping to buy a boat. The catch is that I need to be able to fit it in my garage so I'm looking at the 4.3-4.5m sort of size range which is fine as I mainly intend to use it as a spearing boat for inshore work and basically only need room for 4 arses and an esky. Looking for plate centre console options and looking to pair it with a 50-70hp four stroke outboard. Features I would like are transom door, boarding ladder, forward casting platform (will use it for popping when conditions allow), underfloor fuel tank... that's all that comes to mind right now but I'm sure there are other things. Quite like the look of the Formosa Classic 430 & 455 CC.. anyone have any experience with these or have other recommendations?

 hey guys just brought my first boat it comes with a radio it wasn't working so found out its wird to a tube fuse is this normal to wire them to a fuse or can I just hard wire them cheers sam

Hi all,
Had the boat trailer of my 5m JMT bream boat stolen off the verge a few months ago and managed to get it recovered by the police (longgggg story).
Its way out of rego and as I'm looking to offload the boat at a pretty low price my question is, is it worth getting the trailer licensed? 
The boat itself isnt in a state to be driven immediately and would probably serve as someones project.
Cheers for any suggestions.

I purchased my first boat in Victoria. 2nd Hand 6.1 Quintrex Ocean Sport. I intend to drive with my wife to Melbourne in a Prado and Tow the boat/trailer back at the end of this month. The trailer is licenced-Victorian rego and is current.

I know that the Victorian trailer licence has to deregistered and the trailer re-registered as new in WA. However for those who have done this what are the rules for the Trailer and driving through the states- Vic, SA and WA. Did you need permits etc. Did you keep the eastern states plates on and use licence on the trailer??

The reason I am asking is that I spoke to a person from WA Dept of Transport and she stated that as soon as I drive it into WA it would be classed as unregistered given I am from WA towing an eastern states trailer as such I would need a permit to continue. Further she states that the permits only last 48 hours and cost $22 each time. Is this info correct. Heaps of people have done this what is your experience on this. What is required in SA if the above is correct??

Regards

Murf

 The steering cable on the quinnie is siezed solid and I can't budge it. I have removed the cover plate behind the steering wheel and pumped heaps of crc into that end but I can tell it is siezed near the other end as I can hear movement in the cable up to near the transom. Also after undoing the locknut at the end of the cable on the outboard the ram section moves freely. I was wondering how the cable was attatched at the outboard end as there is a metal rod protruding from the sleeve into the outboard and at the other end is the wire cable surrounded by a coil. Is it something I can do myself or should I take it to a boat yard? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

No boating this weekend with the crap weather and a check of the engine hours indicated I had done 110 hrs in the last 5 months, so due for the 100 hr service.

Pretty easy, change engine oil, filter, leg oil, take out spark plugs and check gap and neverseize, clean air filter, lube all spots, clean fuel filter and she's all done.

Save about $500 doing it yourself, half a Stella! The Verado manual has all the details, and you dont void warranty (not that my import has any).

Hey Guys,

Looking to use some of your wisdom/experience regarding getting a fish finder for the tub.

There is a Lowrance Elite 5 dsi that is for sale on gumtree, anybody got one? Worth it? Dont Bother?

Looking forward to the advice.

Josh

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/craigie/boat-accessories-parts/lowrance-elite-5-dsi-fishfinder-gps-combo/1026607264

 Hi all

        I just got given a savage snipe dinghy(12foot) my question is would i be able to remove the middle seat and this not effect the performance of the boat.I have had a look at other boats with just the two seats and they dont look much different in how many supports they have apart from the middle seat being there.

    Cheers Dave

 Hey all,

I have recently purchased a honda digital gauge and also the wiring harness for said gauge... I am trying to find a wiring diagram to tell me how to connect it all up.

If anyone on the board has a wiring diagram or even a set of the digital gauges all wired up even a few pics would be great... if your in Karratha and don't mind me having a look at the wiring even better!

I am running twin 225 hp honda's and needed the digital gauge so I can get some fuel usage figures... could be a free trip out if your up this way and able to help out ;)

Cheers

Rob

Upgrade time has come along. Bought a Custom plate 17ft Centre cosole and after a few sunny days its time to get into gear and get it ready for the upcoming summer. Winter Project time is here.

The to do list:

New wiring throughout

New auto bildge pump

Move battery up to uner the console (hopefully) 

Custom fold down T top with windscreen (any design ideas/photos would be appreciated)

Mount up new Engine

Re-do hydraulic steering

Make a fuel guage for the new 80l tank

Build a new trailer with brakes

Get a fishfinder

Modify baitboard to fit over engine well

If you have any ideas for things which would go well let me know so I can try to fit them in.

Also any advice on how to check the floatation? the deck is welded on, and where it removes for the fuel tank I cant see any foam under the deck, and as it is a 2004 it was built just prior to the builders plate getting standardised so I am not sure how much flotation it has under the deck. I dont really want to take it to the ramp and fill it up with water.

Lets see what I can get done in the next 2 weeks!

Just a reminder to others to check oil levels in the steering and also to keep the bloody bottle on board . had been out rotto yesterday on the

way back in I noticed the steering becoming really loose , by the time I reached the groyne at woodies I was having to swing it around like a

spinning top to get any movement . Luckily enough got her to the ramp , I won't be making that mistake again

 Thanks to all who made sugestions on who to go through for grapics & names.

 Repower is done, 115suzuki, new clears are on, anchor winch installed, now i just need to get out on the water

Ended up going with boatnames.com

Wanted some thoughts on repowering the Old 18" Thunderbird

It's a heavy fibreglass and using the old 115 johnson and it picks up fine and planes but it guzzles fuel obviously

I like the look of the Suzuki 4 Stroke range but the burning question is which size?

I'd be happy with around 25 knots as long as it's not struggling and therefore guzzling excessive fuel

Does anyone have an idea on what would be better suited 90 or 115 from the suzuki DFa range (or new 4 strokes)

Hi all I have managed to source some old parts cataloug's for 1960s Evinrude 40hp outboards

These include catalogue's for

1960 Lark 40 Model # 35520-35521

1963 Lark 40 Model # 40372D-40373D

1961 Big Twin Model # 35022-35023

1964 Lark 40hp 40472s-r - 40473s-r 

These have some great exploded views of parts and obviously part numbers.

If you want copies please email me and I will happily send you a soft copy of your preffered catalogue.

angus@amgrealestate.com.au

 Has anybody heard about putting roundup in their paint to boost the antifoul ,would like to get your opinions,i also wonder about the legality of this.Cant find anything on roundup label about antifoulling.

I took the 18ft Thunderbird out for the maiden voyage around the sound on Sunday and she handled well but there wasn't a lot of challenging water.

I'm fairly cautious but in my mind what I really want to target is bottom fish 20 - 40m for Dhuies etc

What i'm concerned about is tackling rough water. I've read you need to take the waves at a 45 degree angle and tack if it gets too high for your boat, but reading about that means absolutely nothing compared to experience.

So a few questions just to give me some idea:

If you have to come back in rough weather would you still try planing but at the 45 degree angle to the wave or keep a quick pace while still in the water. I've always feared that planing while doing that could send the boat over while coming down the crest.

Secondly with a heavier glass boat around 18ft if you were looking to head out 10kms - 15kms what is the worst forecast you're consider going out in? 1.5m swell + ~10 knots or is that a bit too reserved?

Thanks for any advice, i'd prefer to be cautious and ask questions while new to skippering than being an asshat who tips his boat due to ignorance endangering lives.

 Hi guys I'm looking for a new chartplotter with a big screen. I have a humminbird at the moment but the screen is tiny. Looking for something with a 10 or 12 inch screen and liked the garmin the most. I don't need it for the sonar and all the rest just maps. Anyone had any issues with them or can suggest something else maybe?

Hi Everyone

I'm hoping to get some advice on the extent of the corrosion found on my Savage Cobia's transom.

While replacing my PTT unit recently, which required removal of my outboard (to separate the bracket), I decided to replace the ply transom pad with a nylon type.

Turns out the ply pad was only riveted on without any additional sealant and has caused corrosion to the outside of the transom. After hitting it with a bristle wire brush attachment on the grinder, it turns out there is one resulting hole about the size of a pea, as well as some pitting which appears to be up to 1-1.5mm deep in places, but nothing of grave concern, I hope!.

I've recently had the anodes replaced on motor and bracket, and yesterday found a few lead sinkers under the floor but don't believe they have been there for long. I did also find a brass swivel which will have been there for longer than I have owned the boat (16 months) as I don't believe I or anyone else uses brass swivels. I don't use a battery isolator which I've found out I should so will look to get that sorted out pronto.

I've attached some pics of the transom, showing outside, upper inside, and lower inside (to show either side of the engine mounting holes). I'm hoping that cleaning it up a bit further, drilling out the rivet and corrosion holes, weld them up and weld an additional 4mm plate over the top will be all that is required, but unsure whether any of the existing ali should be cut out out first? Will the corrosion continue if I ensure that the battery is regularly isolated, and all dissimilar metals in contact are duralac'd?

I've had a fabrication place (not boat specific) carry out some re-welding on some cracked welds (and other non-boat things) at a very reasonable price and did an excellent job, so was considering going back there but happy to look at other options, companies etc.

The plan is to keep this boat for as long as I foresee as it's my baby and does everything that I want it to and takes me where I want to be.

Look forward to hearing thought/opinions. Thanks in advance!

Cheers

Craig

Anyone using the durahub set up on there bearings, looks good but have not seen any in use.

http://www.durahub.com/store/

Evening,

I've been trying to get some information on these batterys. (Seamaster M70 - not the gold edition)

My boat came with two and i've tried to find information on them but I can only find specs

First question - Are they a true Calcium batteries and when recharging do you select Calcium on the intelligent battery chargers

Second question - They have what looks like screw plugs on the top, but if they are calcium do i need to remove the plugs and top up with distilled water, or are they maint free on these models

Thanks for any replies, ive searched and searched without finding the info I need

gents- was wondering if anyone who has been in or owns a Leeder 650. Just after an opinion on ride and handling (particularly in rough water) and also any faults these models may have?

I'm interested in both inboard and outboard models.

cheers/Ben

 Hey fellas

chasing some info on a 1997 fibrglass centre console, just on ride quality an ability, stability at rest, is it a real wet boat. Just looking for boat 20 to 30k to get me out wide, an this popped up.

Also be looking at a Fraser cobia and a couple older boats baron sportsman,  HH 565l and not sure wether worth looking at a penguin huntress, all differnt boats really, all im after is something that can handle a bit of chop, sit well at rest and be able to fish 3 people comfortably. 

Any info greatly appreciated.

thanks

mick

I've got a 1978 Johnson 115Hp which needed a fuel line.

I bought from BCF the Johnson/Evinrude fuel line. The connector secures onto the fuel tank but not onto the outboard.

I've taken a closer look at the connections. The connection on the tank and the outboard are different

I feel fairly foolish but it's my first week working with a boat or outboard.

I've taken a few snaps of the connections if someone can identify the correct connector for me so i can adjust the fuel line with the correct one.

Morning all,

I've done a few searches on the net but only really coming up with a few obscure sites in America.

I'm chasing an Owners Manual and/or a Service Manual for my 1978 Johnson 115HP
It's running alright but I'd like to be able to get a better understanding for care of the old engine

If you've got one but want to sell it PM me and let me know

Thanks!

Gday everyone heading up to Gnaraloo next year for the first time and wondering what your preferred method is?Ive searched this and only found a couple pics of people launching in the bay so just trying to get a idea what its like any info at all much appreciated.Boats a 17ft glass. cheers Nick

 hey guys looking at buying a boat around the 19 feet mark I want something that can get to rotto or just behind and up north just wondering what people rather