Hey guys just wanting to know what you are all using on your trailer winches ie steel cable, this Dyneema strand cable or what else ?

I put a new winch on my trailer less than 12 months ago, and allready the cable is rusting up, and gave me some trouble at the boat ramp yesterday.

Also has anyone had any success with these self centering rollers ? Do you need them all the way along the keel rollers, or just the first roller or maybe the first 2 or 3 ?

I'm winching up an 18 ft fiberglass.

Cheers.

hey guys, rebuild a nice fiberglass boat but now changing what was the none essentials and am stuck on the new steering wheel i bought before checking if it would fit and am looking for some info or advice if anyone knows cheers.

pics are of new wheel from the bakc and the steering spigot of the boat.

howdy all

As i said yesterday in my fishing report, i lost the  steering 8kms out. i had a quick look this morning, i am able to turn steering wheel and the cable goes in and out from the helm but no movement at motor end with cable disconnected, what would thus suggest a broken cable or helm is stuffed. i replaced both about 18 months ago.

                                                                                             cheers

                                                                                              dakka

 Hi all, hopefully I can find a mariner out board guru to point me in the right direction 

ive got a little boat that was given to me by an older fella, it's very old but doesn't leak and runs, (bonus) I was chasing some info, I want to see if I can source a manual for the engine, so I can rewire, tune ect ??? Does any one know how I can find a year ect, or where to look ? I've been surfing the net with not a lot of success , all I can figure is its about mid to late 70s... Any advise would be appreciated , cheers in advance 

Ric

Hi

Can anyone tell me what and where to find a chart to convert my serial number to the correct year of my 30hp 2 stroke mercury   06150939 and the number on the motor is 890-821358-C1

thanks

stefan

mandurah

Geez I'm having a great week.

My boats been up on blocks for the best part of this year while I completely stripped back and re firbed the trailer.

The boats been back on the trailer about a month now I'm starting to get a few maintenance things done that I wanted with it, and now the steering wheel as well as the outboard wont turn.

I cant have it that the cable has siezed as a month ago when the boat went back onto the trailer the motor was serviced for the 2nd time since I've had it in 12 months (I know overkill)

What can I do guys, i've read up about disconnecting the steering arm, and belting the cable arm end to loosen it, i've seen posts about heating up the sleeve arm.

I no tradie, I'm handy though.

What can I do guys ?

Hey Guys, I'm fitting a fuel/water separator filter bowl and I want to get some ideas as to the best way to link it up.

Its for a 130hp johnson ocean pro 2 stroke V4.

I've been advised a few things/ways, the most common is to install it this way:
From the fuel tank pickup- fuel hose to- in line fuel filter-fuel hose to-fuel/water separator filter bowl- fuel hose to-primer fuel bulb- fuel hose into the outboard motor.

I've also been advised to install the primer bulb before the separator instead of after.

Which way is the best way guys ?

Also what size diameter fuel hose should I be Using for this size motor ?

Cheers Steve.

I'm looking to replace the fuel filler hose that runs between the gunwale mounted Filler Cap and the bow mounted tank.

It's 17 years old and still in very good condition, but it runs through a storage compartment and makes everything in there stink of fuel - plus when the compartment is opened is stinks the cabin out.. 
 

It's the big rubber 50mm "Max Flo Road Tanker" hose, by Dunlop I think - mega heavy duty and probably serious overkill for the job.
(Same stuff you'll see coiled up on Fuel tankers etc)

I can source a new length of the same stuff at around $66/m but I'm hoping there's an alternative product that won't absorb and transmit the fuel smell.

The replacement needs to be flexible due to the routing, so fabricated metal pipe is not an option.

Suggestions appreciated.   :)

Hi guys I need to replace my battery on 1999 130hp Johnson ocean pro 2 stroke v4 outboard, I currently only run a single battery system for everything, motor, lights, electronics etc

Ive got nothing left on the current old battery to identify size, type brand etc, it is a sealed unit though.

Can anyone give me any ideas of what size I might require, which brand/s get a good wrap, and where is the best place/value to go buy one or is it a case of go to your local marine dealer.

If I knew what size I require I could do a ring around for quotes, but none of the motor manuals online I have found give me a spec. for this motor.

Cheers.  

Well have we got to the stage where we have to carry clubs with us to protect ourselves are we going backwards in our evolution of life back to the stone age ?We have radios for communication lets communicate in a peaceful manner ,Boat to Boat communication is possible use it ,that is part of the reason i carry a radio!!Get all the facts before you start going of your face!!GET HIS BOAT ID OR NAME AND TRY TO GET HIM ON THE TO-WAY ,THEN ASK PO LIGHTLY IF THEY HAD ANY IDEA ON WHAT THEY HAD JUST DONE.OPEN A LINE OF COMMUNICATION ,IF UNABLE TO DO SO AND THE PROBLEM WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH THEN REPORT THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY'S AND GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.I have no time or patience for people who " PUT MOUTH INTO GEAR BEFORE ENGAGING BRAIN "!HO HO HO and have a Marry Christmas to All!!!!

 i was just wondering what is the best way to keep clears crystal clear?any suggestions would be helpful,thanks

Where is the year of manufacture located on Honda 90hp motor? I can't find any information about this anywhere on my motor, all it has is one little metal plate which reads: BBBL - 1009644

Sometimes its hard to get the boat off the bunks on the trailer if there isnt enough water. (The extended drawbar is coming)

I have read reviews of 'liquid rollers' spray. Has anyone used it, or a alternative to make getting the boat on and off the skids a little easier that is safe on the gel coat ?

Or anywhere i can buy it in Perth to give it a go ?

Cheers,

Vin

 Want to repower my trailcraft 475 which out of the two is the better engine 75 optimax or 75 etec

Hi Guys,

So this may be hard to explain without a diagram but after some advice to whether or not this will work.

So I have a battery in my boat. It powers everything. I've just fitted a second battery with a selector switch. So now the positive cables that came off the first battery are connected to the COMMON port on the switch and positive from both batteries goes to BATT 1 and BATT 2. So that's fine but what I want to know is that the original battery is grounded inside the outboard and is all nicely sealed. I don't want to try and run my second battery ground cable to the same point on the engine so is it ok to ground the second battery to the first batteries ground? Keeping in mind the first battery is already grounded?

Thanks

Hi does anyoneknow where or who can make stone guard protectors on the boat trailer?

Thanks

anyone got any brilliant ideas to put over your gunnel to protect the fibreglass as you pull pots over?

Only intending to use plastic pots and only thing I can think of is a piece of HDPE bent to sit over the inside and outside?

cheers Rob

Hi

Can anyone here reconmend a decent outboard mechanic in the  mandurah area to service my 90hp suzuki 4 stroke. Its not under waranty anymore so im just looking for someone who will do a good job without ripping me off. Cheers

Troy

So am close to buying one of these units but just wanting to find out a little more info on peoples experience with who they bought their electronics from, and if they had it installed, or installed themselves.

Have got a 26ft Fury Centre console

Picture below is of the dash however its a little old, the GPS on the left has been replaced with a Lowrance HDS7

The problem i have is the 8.4" screen will not fit in the whole cut out where the current Navman Sounder is on the right, so need to do some dash re-modeling to make it fit. Possibly pull out the radio and move elsewhere on the right to make room, but will need to fill / patch the holes.

2nd issue / question is Transducer type. I've read a few different threads on this site, and have a mate who currently has a 585 with a 1KW transom mounted tranny and still not sure on which method to choose.

Im not a fan of cutting a whole in the hull so thats not an option.

I would like to be able to travel at speed (Lets say upto 30kn would be great) and still get a picture of the bottom. The boat runs twin donks so not sure if the additionall drag of the large transom mounted tranny (10 inches long 6.7" deep, 4.2" wide transom mount) will create spray / rooster tail.

Accessing the inside of a flush deck is not easy, and would require cutting the deck joints to access. I cannot see any other possible options for this, as the access holes (port holes) most likely are not in the right spot to be able to gain access to the unside of the hull.

3rd. Different transducers. The two options are the TM260 HD 1KW and the TM270W 1KW. has anyone used or have the 270W fitted to their boat. the 270W specs show at 130m deep you can read 50m wide range of the bottom. Question i have (and it may sound stupid but I've not found too much on it) is are you able to pin point where the fish actually are? 50m is not veyr precise.

4. Has anyone used a boat / electyronics company in Perth to supply and install such a setup?

Cheers

Bodie

Hi all.

I am new to the boating scene in WA but have fished and ran charter boats in uk. I have resently bought a 7.4 meter cabin / fishing boat. She was built by Freedom marine and origanly had a Volvo deisel inboard with a leg. The last owner did away with this and had a pod made for her with a 150hp Mercury fitted. Where the engine would have been is now where my fuel tanks are and i think that the origanal deisel tanks would still be under the wheel house floor. My question is would anyone know a boat builder / shipright that could give me some advice on utilising the space where the tanks are under the floor. I was thinking of cutting a hatch into the floor but would not be keen without first taking some advice.

Thanks

Leighton

Hey Guys,

I am in the market for a new sounder plotter combo unit and I was wondering what eveyone thoughts were as to which was the best, hoping to spend around $2000

cheers Steve

Hey just wondering is it possible to fix a warped hull on a plastic boat? It's right on the bottom and making the boat slightly unstable. Not sure what to do about, or how to go about fixing. If you know anyone who can fix or any information would be greatly appreciated

Bought a 2008 commodore attitude 7000 (centre console) earlier this year and have put around 250 hours on it. Best thing I’ve bought the kids in a long time! About 4 weeks ago I noticed the smell of fuel on one of our fishing trips and I noticed it in the bilge area on top of some water. On closer inspection the fuel is leaking out of the internal hull bilge plug, which I normally leave un-plugged so as to drain any water from the hull. So the fuel is leaking into the hull area from the under deck aluminum tank. I've checked the breather, fuel level pickup and filler connections and they are all dry. I’m thinking it’s the tank. It doesn’t leak when sitting on the trailer with a half full tank on a bout a 10 degree driveway. So that sort of means the leak is in the top half of the tank somewhere or it needs the boat flexing to open up the leak in the tank. I'm going to have to cut the floor to get to the tank and was wondering if anyone knows of boat repairers that do this type of work. Have rung a few and they are not interested.

Alternatively any tips and tricks would be appreciated

regards

JR

Hi crew, This is my old boat that i sold to my friends early last year. It was a great boat for me but was looking a bit sad, and the guy's had a problem with the motor. To have the motor fixed and serviced was going to cost half the price of a new one after spending a few dollars on it allready. So the decision was made to replace it brand new and i suggested we give the boat a make over while we had the chance.

The old boat looking a bit worn out .

We started with the strip down and with the paint in bad condition, the guys decided it needed to go back to bare aluminium.

There is no easy way to do this . Stainless wire brushes on a grinder was the best way we found without causing contamination to the aloy.

There were a few anoying problems that needed to be fixed . At the bow there was an old steering bracket that got in the way of getting to the esky and other items up the front.

Also there was a 50mm lip on the top edge that cut into your legs if you sat up on the bow.

It was time to get rid of these so they were cut out.

This left the problem of no strength in the front and also the sides of the boat now seamed to have twice the flex they used to have .

Working with the supplies we had, a 32mm heavy wall pipe was cut and shaped to go from the transom, along the side , across the bow and back down to the transom.

I formed it to fit the hull and clamped it to tack in place before the final welds were done.

4mm plates were fitted into the two back corners of the transom , and two more plates were weled up on the bow corners as well .

The pipe and plates worked out pretty good and made the bow and sides alot stronger .

With all the work done inside it was time to flip it over and continue striping the hull ready to paint. Afew repairs were also done while the boat was upside down.

Finaly the painting had begun .

After a weekend of painting it was ready to be put back togeather.

This is how the front turned out after the mod's were done. The rod holders were fitted through the 4mm plates i welded in .

Plenty of room now for the esky and no more dead legs from sitting up there .

The console was rewired and fitted up ( this took quite a while as all the wires were replaced and a Bus/fuse box was installed )

I also made a new windscreen that can be removed, so the boat can be stored inside a shed or carport with a problem.

After fitting the motor i had a big problem with all the instruments. Some how power was runing through the hull. I found the sterio had earthed out and isolated it. But i still had power to the hull. The motor was fully insulated from the hull and all bolts were shielded from hull contact. After a couple of tests i found the motor was earthing out through the steering cable all the way to the console. I had to isolate the steering bracket from the console and this did the trick.

In the picture above i have highlighted the contact points. This also made me wonder how many boats have this problem and the owners are unaware.

Anyway the boat turned out looking pretty good.

Just waiting for a couple Decal's to arive . But she looks sweet hooked up to the cruiser. ( it's riding a bit high on the hitch in the pic but that has been sorted out )

Cheers Grant ..

 Hi guys,

Fitting up a dual battery switch this weekend, had a sparky mate who was going to give us a hand but looks like I might be doing it alone.

Question is I don't understand the wire labelled dual sense vsr on the wiring diagram! I understand the rest of the diagram but the dual sense vsr wire, where does that go to and where am I supposed to connect it? Also on the diagram the thing it's connected into, is that a connector strip or fuse strip??

Any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers!

 Just wondering of anyone knows if these are any good. Haven't been able to find any reviews on the net, cheers.

Hi Crew

I have a 4.75 Quintrex runabout that the floor has gone a bit spongey on and broken in one place and I was looking to repair it myself.  In the meantime I came to the realisation that I could also fit an underfloor kill tank at the same time it would free up a bit of deck space becasue I wont need a 100l esky on board.

At this stage I dont think I will undertake the job myself due to time constraints

has anyone done this?  Or got any recommendations for doing it? the positioniong of it is also crucial in a small boat.

I think the actual kill tank needs to be made of aluminium and then a smooth transition into the marine ply deck.

If anyone knows/recommends any boat shops that do this sort of work I would like to get a few quotes NOR or SOR as I am pretty central

Cheers

Rig

Hi guys,

I've done a lot of searching on google, this forum, and on other forums and it seems this topic is one that has been beaten to death... so I do apologise for flogging a dead horse. However I am looking for as much information as possible.

I will soon be in the market for a new tub. Am looking for:

• Something in the 17-21 foot range
• Fibreglass
• Centre console / walk around
• A reliable 4 stroke engine
• Priced around the $30-35,000 mark (less would always be good)
• I love my fishing, so would be wanting to head out as much as possible - anything bigger than 2mtr swell and around 12-15knt winds would be my cut off point
• 20-25 miles would probably be the extent of my range, unless the water is a forecast to be a mirror all day.

 To give an idea of where I am at, from all my research to date I am leaning towards a Mid-2000 (2005-2007) model Trophy 1903 Centre Console.

There seems to be a lot of talk of American boats not being built for Australian waters etc... I am after some first hand stories from people who have actually had an issue with an American boat in Aussie waters ? I am certain that America experiences very similar seas and swell to here (eg. hurricanes) and everything else in the world that is American made seems to be renowned for quality. However the opinion is split when it comes to boating...and all I can put that down to is people looking to keep jobs etc in Oz and pride in what they own or want to own.

I found on google / forums that there certainly is evidence of these American hulls cracking etc However the same evidence can be found for the Aussie boats such as Haines Hunters, Evolutions etc.

So my question would be, are these American made boats actually good value for money (as they are a lot cheaper than the aussie made) ? Or are there some other alternatives that I could potentially look into ?

Cheers !

Step 1/ Ring Justin at Portsea Marine

Step 2/ Listen to what he is saying

Step 3/ Do what he tells you

Step 4/ Collect your boat and go fishing/cruising

Seriously, Ive missed out a fair bit of cheque writing, a wee bit of angst as you get ready to "push the button", and getting your head around time zones.

Plus the inevitable head scratching over how our beaurocracy go about dreaming up new ways to suck the lifeblood out of us worthy citizens.

When I began the process I started by ringing local guys, with varying success. From no response to "sorry mate, cant help ya there". Admittedly it was a little unusual not being from the US, but Portsea was the first to put their hand up and say "Lets have a go".

Portsea have done this so many times and seen all the pitfalls that youd be pretty brave to attack it yourself for a saving of a couple of grand. I know a fair few have done it on their own, but I also know one who lost the lot, and it was a bit more than the average $30K boats.

It rolled in on Melbourne Cup Day, straight thru Customs and Quarantine and now lives in my backyard or on my mooring.

If your thinking about doin it, try Portsea first, and Id take a punt that you'll end up using Justin!

A Fishwrecked site sponsor to boot!

Hey guys,
I was just wondering if I could put and electric motorer on a 5.1 trailcraft with a 115hp Yamaha four stroke  on the back? or am I wasting my time??
Cheers Steve