Anyone one know where i can buy 2 stroke oil in bulk and save some money?

Cheers

Pete

Anyone know what it would cost to get a boat from QLD to Perth, roughly?

Some people have been asking me to put this up so here goes

After purchasing the new fibreglass hull i was back sourcing the best low budget, best performance sounder set up that was able to perform in depths upto 700 meters.

Starting with conversations with taylor marine in the west and in the east i had heard the Furuno 585 unit boasted excellent performance for game fishermen in deep water. The best results were coming from thru hull instalations using the 50b-9b Transducer.

Having the same sounder system from my old vessel the next step was to liase with cruise craft on hull construction and if it was possible to install the transducer where i wanted it at the stern.

With a flat surface on the keel line this install was quite simple.  

Then was to cut thru a moulded bilge liner and having a very restricted area to work in.

Next was by far the hardest. This was actually getting the nerve to cut a 160mm by 90mm oval  hole through the hull.

With that done you realize your in so deep you had better do the rest right if your ever going to go boating agian!!

Then i made an exact replica of the transducer but 3 mm larger all round.

The replica transducer was now waxed and release agent applied.

Then the replica was inserted in the vessels cut hole, flush on the front edge and 2mm lower of the rear edge so that no air pockets could ever occur under the transducer.

From there work began on the inside with me applying epoxy fibreglass matt over the replica transducer and onto the prepared inside hull with a 100mm overlap onto the hull.  Four layers of 400 chop strand mat was applied then left to cure.

When cured the replica plug was pushed out by drilling a small hole in the center and tapping out. A larger hole was now drilled in the center of the formed fibreglass housing to suit the transducer cable and the inside of the housing sanded and cleaned with acetone.  

With the housing ready for the transducer. Marine Sikaflax was applied inside the housing and on the transducer. The transducer was now pushed slowly into place and secured, letting the air bubbles escape.

The excess sika was wiped away and another 4 layers of glass applied.

Now all that was left was a quick sand and for the white flow coat to be applied , bilge pump fitted and any sika marks to be removed with acetone.

All done and left to set.

On trial the new picture was almost unrecognizable from the memory of the ground when the transducer was last transom mounted on the previous vessel! A huge improvement. And where before we were sounding in the 250's to 400's at less than 5 knots, now we were clearly seeing ground at 10knots and breaking at 15.

The last shot shows us sounding at 840meters. Faint but readable.

Anyways hope this comes to some for benifit.

BTW this is no plug for furuno. I couldnt care if it was an Nintendo.  

I also believe similar results could be achieved with other sounder systems but the wet transducer face system (through hull) is crucial.

Hi guys, im relatively new to boating and im definitely green when it comes to sounders so was chasing some advice for a sounder for my dinghy. Its a  3.4m savage jabiru. I currently have a hand held gps so i'm thinkn of going a standalone fish finder.

I mainly just go out for a crab and bream fish but would also like to look at taking it out to cockburn sound chasing crab, squid and whatever else wonders in, then once i get some more experience maybe around hillarys.

I've been searching and reading but the unit that has caught my eye at the moment is the lowrance Elite 4x with DSI. The questions i have are, is the DSI a good thing? How good is lowrance as a brand? and would anyone recommend anything different?

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/Elite-Series/Elite-4x-DSI/

The budget is pretty spot on $300 and from what i can tell the lowrance seems to be a good fit.

Any advice is appreciated

Cheers, Steve

 Hi 

i have been offered a a new in box unit with navionics gold card

What would be a fair price for   it has a shoot thru the hull transducer so I would need to buy a new ducer I think the owner wants about $500 or for that price would there be better options.

hey everyone im upgrading my sounder. currently have a Humminbird 757 and looking at either the Lowrace HDS7 or Ray Marine E7-D. if anyone has any advice or has either one of these units and can share there pros or cons it would be appreciated. thanks

 hey guys

thinking of up gradding to a bigger boat and looking for a project aswell, just wondering what the douglas craft hulls are like, look very soild, can anywon give me there opions on them 

thanks lynchy 

Gday all! :)

I have been altering my 6.2m ali plate, and I want to design and build a bait board for the transom.  I spend more time diving than fishing - which is why I am asking for advice - but I plan on doing more fishing now we have a bigger boat! Havent decided if it will be permanently mounted or removable yet. So what features should I incorporate into my bait board? I have been given a lot of ideas already -

1. small, insulated, drainable or removable compartment for frozen bait - approx third of boards width - accessed via lift up cutting board or a slide out tray

2. larger uninsulated storage area underneath cutting surface - approx two thirds boards width - accessed via lift up cutting board or a drawer that slides out

3. two or three part cutting surface(so you dont have to lift the whole board to get into storage area underneath)

4. gutters that support all 4 edges of the 2 or 3 cutting surfaces and channel the mess toward the rear of the board where it can exit via a drain tube - keeps it out of the dry/bait areas

5. plier and knife holders to the rear

6. rod holders on rear/sides for trolling

7. drink holders

8. folded edges to reduce injuries

What do you think of these features? Any more to suggest?

I have two widths in mind - either 600mm or 800mm wide. What would be your choice? Around 400-450mm deep and 150 high internally. It will be constructed out of 3mm 5052 ali sheet, with 50mm OD tube for rod holders. High Density Polyethylene cutting surfaces - probably around 10mm thick as the maximum unsupported span will be only 300mm.

I would love to hear your opinions and ideas! Cheers

As you all know, I am now the proud owner of a 1993 150hp 2 stroke Johnson. lol. But after all laughing aside, I don't want to jeapodise its performance or reliability so I was wondering what other fishwreckers use for 2 stroke oil. Are they all the same or are some better than others? Do some smoke more than others or do some smell worse? I took everbody's advice and removed the VRO and it certainly has made a difference in its performance. Thanks for any advice given.

Hey guys recently have gained access to a Leeder Tomcat 240 and first thing to be done is manifolds/risers/gaskets/dry joints for the the 4.3 mercruiser sitting in it,  i have someone to do the work but was wondering if anyone knew the best place to source the parts cheaply? Feel free to pm me if you dont wish to post a non site affiliated shop here.

Cheers

Hi Fellas

I've developed quite a bit of that white scale type stuff on my outboard leg. I've had it on boats before but never quite so bad.

Any ideas on how to get it off? I was thinking something like C.L.R. should shift it.

Appreciate your ideas.

 Hi guys re-jigging our trailer drawbar and thought whilst we're at it may as well consider the idea of a swing away extension for beach launching

Would prefer swing away than telescopic set up

Have seen some photos here and there such as the mackay trailer website but curious if anyone has actually done it as I'd like some close ups of the hinge and also how it locks into the original drawbar once you swing it around??!

Appreciate any help and photos

Thanks

Turts

 Hello fishwrecked crew,

I have just joined up and am in need of advice

I am wanting to buy a trailcraft to get me out to fish off the southwest coast & run the family around

I have narrowed it to two option

a 2003 500 freestyle with a 90 merc salty 2 stroke with all gear approx 150hrs  good nik

OR

a 2006 freestyle with a 70 Yamaha 2 stoke with only 20hrs  also good nik not as much gear

simliar prices

my thoughts are : is the 2003 an inferior design..has the hull design or construction changed?? or is it just decals

Is the 70 Yammy too small for this boat??

Any advice would be great

H

Hey guys I am trying to do some research on boats as im keen to buy my first boat! (cant wait!!)

Anyhow im after something ally hull, atleast 4m or so, newish engine (preferrably), and i dont wanna spend over 10k (as its my first boat and all)

First of all is this possible without buying a lemon?

If so just wondering if anyone has some suggestions as to what type/brand i should look into.

Im only really looking at fishing in the sound and the river but would be great to venture out deeper as i get more experience (if the boat/weather allows).

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated cheers!

Chris

I'm redoing the dinghy carpet as the old stuff is perishing.

What adhesive would you recommend to stick marine carpet, to marine ply, and where can you get it?

Cheers
Scotto

Hi All,

I have a 2004 125hp Mercury saltwater series motor with the oil tank under the cowling.  Unfortunately, if the tank is more than 1/2 full the oil comes out of the reservoir cap when I trim up but the cap does not look damaged at all.  Has anybody else had this problem and what did you do to fix it?

Cheers

Toby

Recently picked up a Crusie craft bowrider with a 175Hp Merc V6 1997 model with about 400hrs.

Have had no issues with engine at all starts up first go every time and goes like a rocket but yesterday an alarm started sounding (highpitched and constant) after wakeboarding for a few hours.

Oil tank was 50% and tell tale working fine but alarm would cut in and out when moving along.

Any have any ideas on what it might be?

Cheers

 Looking at making a lifebaitwell set up on my boat and looking for some input how to do it the correct way!

I did buy a 80ltr bin and a bilgepump I had laying around, but the 80ltrs of seawater on the marlin board makes the boat to heavy on the back

When i first bought my boat a few months back i kept having problems with water in the fuel tank. my tank is inside the hull so removing it was out of the question. I tried the metho trick but there must have been too much water as that didn't solve the problem. The only access point i had to the tank was through a round deck hatch which was for the fuel gauge sender unit. I ended up making a little syphoning device out of a bit of copper pipe, 8m of clear flexible tube and a inline fuel pumping bulb. here's step by step how to get the water out.

1. fuel floats on top of water so work out which end of the tank the sender unit is and then raise or lower the jockey wheel so that the tank will drain to that point. once you've done that let the boat sit for a day or so to make sure the water has properly settled to the bottom of the tank

2. open the deck inspection hatch to expose the fuel sender gauge. the sender gauge should have 2 wires going to it. remove the fuel gauge sender unit. mine was held in place with 8 screws. there is a rubber gasket that seals the unit to the tank.

3. make up syphonig device. join clear hose to copper pipe. i used 8mm clear hose from the hardware with a fuel pumping bulb thingo

3. put copper pipe end in fuel tank through sender unit hole. try and feel for the lowest point in the tank.

4. put other end of hose in a gerry can or drum

5. pump fuel bulb to get it syphoning and watch the clear hose for change of colour in the fluid. it should start pumping a clear, half fuel half water colour. after a while the colour will change to a darker fuel colour. once there is no clear colour coming through the hose any more, thats when you know most of the water is gone.

6. after i got most the water out i put a litre of metho in the tank and i reinstalled the sender unit.

7. i dont think this mehod will remove ALL the water in your tank but it should make it more manageable with the help from a good fuel/water seperating filter. some of the ways to prevent water in your tank in future from what i've heard and read is to keep your fuel tank as full as possible year round (less condensation), check the fuel breather hose which should have a loop or non return valve to prevent water ingress and also check the fuel cap seal is ok. also if you dont have a fuel/water seperating filter with an inspection bowl on the bottom it's worth getting one installed and check it each time you use your boat.

Cheers everyone

Guys when I purchased my boat recently, the speed sensor paddle wheel was missing from the housing (still attached to the transom) Is this common, has anyone had this before ?

I've finally managed to get a replacement paddle wheel assembly, is there any trick used to make sure this doesn't happen again. I was thinking maybe a spot of silicone or araldite over the round clip that holds the pin in place ?

hi all, my wife just got a new work vehicle that we have full use of with fuel etc supplied, we just had a tow bar fitted and realised it only has a down force load rating of 80kg although it has a towing capacity of 2000kg, I checked the down force of the boat which is 130 kg, I can move the axle forward to reduce the down weight but was wondering if it is safe to do so and what effects it would have on towing? any help would be appreciated thanks.

 It's come time to replace the 3!! Batteries I have in my 23' jackman. It had the RAC marine ones it it when I got the boat 3 years ago. They have been fine but I'm sure there would be better ones available now. I use 3 cause I'm running a FCV 295 with twin 2kw tranies an I'm looking at a 3kw, 2 electric reels an the sterio runs a amp an 2 subs. Any help would be appreciated 

Just wondering what Brand and/or Type of grease people are using for their boats/trailers(not for inside the motor, i'll leave that to the boat mechanics when they service it for me). 

Dont know what has been previously used on my boat trailer but want something for the bearing buddies for the wheels and to grease up the hitch brake. I have used just normal Castrol multi purpose grease once in the past in my grease gun to top them up and refresh it. But wondering if there is a specfic type which would be better, the multi purpose Castol Blue stuff has worked fine since the last time i put it in but then again i dont drive very far to the ramp so they dont have much of a chance to heat up. I am planning on doing some longer towing periods in the future and have been told that apparently you need a grease that has a high temp rating for disc brake trailers and obviously highly water resistant too.

Any advice on what other are using would be most appreciated.

Out of interest have also notice some grease nipples on the mount for the motor, the part the hydrolics raise and lower, and the steering arm/ram? was wondering what grease i should use for those nipples?

Thanks, Buz.

As anybody used this company to have their outboard motor serviced. Just recently bought a boat and it as been serviced by All Boat, who charge way too much, by the recipts i have. My motor as only done 120 hours, and had a 100 hour service in May 2010. Is it really worth having it serviced again so soon??

Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone who has a Savage Mako 5.5 could let me know the height of the boat whilst on the trailer (to the top of the windscreen).

I found an old spec sheet that said about 2.4m but I'm not sure if that's to the top of the windscreen or to the top of the bimini / rocket holder.

My Dad has one stored up North which I am thinking about bringing back down to get more use out of it, but not sure if it will fit through the garage (which is 2.1m). If it's 2.4 to the top of the rocket holder I could hinge it.

Cheers ... Gregg.

Well bak to work for me tomorrow so I cleaned up the boat made it all tidy and put the covers On it for the three weeks away. Well Im Not happy with what I've found on the starboard side halfway alOng the boat there is cracks on the top above the rubber bump. This wasn't there before our trip to rotto On the weekend we parked on the fuel jetty at rotto overnight and stayed at the lodge and it looks like the dickhead who parked next to me used my boat as a means of slowing down I can't believe it all the care I take bringing it in to the ramp parking alongside jetties and some dickhead comes along and just smashes into it without even leaving a note. Even though I could find his rego from rotto rangers what chance do I have getting him to admit he did it can't believe it. At least it hasn't damaged the hull only the fiberglass that is above the hull but I'm still going to have to get it fixed

hey guys i'm chasing some info on ally boat builders that were around in 1981, the one im chasing had a name like ASB or ABS or something like that.  just trying to find some info on the old mans boat.  its a 6.1m plate, with a 6mm hull and sides. anyone know anything??????

cheers

matt.

Hi Guys

I have a 1984 70hp johnson 3 cyl outboard i know its an old motor and it only has to last another 6 months and it will be upgraded to a new one but recently it has had a problem.

i launch the boat head out 10-15kms at almost full noise do some fishing crank it up again it starts no problems but when i give it some throttle it bogs down like its over fueling or something does anyone have any idea what it could be.

if i nurse it for a couple of minutes i can slowly get it up to full throttle and it makes the journy home with no problems and i can bring it back to idle and give it full noise and have no probs. it had a new head gasket fitted recently but was doing the problem before hand aswell. i have replaced all fuel lines to the motor but none inside the motor.

cheers

Rod

Wanting a new Bimini/rocket launcher and also a ski pole + mount for a 5m trailcraft. Can anyone recommend a place which either sells off the shelf or can make for a decent price?  Anyone got a ball park figure for each?

cheers

 hey crew,

I've got a couple of small nicks and in the gellcoat of the boat and was wondering if anyone can recommend someone to have a look at it.  They are not big, but I just want to get on top of things. 

thanks in advance

Jared