hi guys
i was looking at getting a lowrance LMS-525C combo sounder with a navionics gold xl9 card for my dinghy. iam not sure what the map looks like with the card installed. if anyone has this set up are you happy with it? is the map clear and show all the depths? if ya have a pic of the map that would be great to. thanx people

Gday,

ive got the Navman Tracker 5430 and me question is that when i got to the waypoint section and highlight the waypoint i want to go to, then press menu and go to select the "go to" option and i can't select it. does anyone know why this is? same happens when im on the chart display then press menu, the "go to" option i can't select it.

i don't have a c-map chart in it yet! but i still should be able to use it as a GPS...

cheers
sam

I know most of us know this stuff - but if it makes a difference for one boaty, I think it's worth it:

Well, the silly season is upon us, with finer weather and end of year pay cheques and dreams, people will be buying their first boat.

Also, as far as I'm aware, there's no book on launching and retrieving your boat and I still see lots of people doing it the wrong/hard/inconsiderate way.

Sadly, the DPI RST (Recreational Skippers Ticket) Handbook doesn't even cover this.

I'm no expert (who is), but the following may save a lot of headaches and cause less frustration at the ramp (where most of any agro is going to occur) and avoid spoiling what should be a good day out on the water.

BOAT PREPARATION AND RAMP ETTIQUETTE

1) KNOW YOUR RAMP - If possible, get to know your regular ramp, most are marked with directional arrows for vehicular movement directly in front of the ramp and parking bays adjacent. So, go down and check it out first.

2) BOAT PREPARATION

 - Make sure everything is working the day before and kick the motor over (VERY briefly if dry) - or better still connect the hose adapter or muffs and run her.

- Have all your gear organised - use a checklist if you like. Take spares - fuses etc and all the tools you may require.

- Make sure the bolts fastening your anchor are tight.

- Put the bung(s) in.

- Check you trailer lights/LEDs are working.

- Securely fasten your bow to stern rope. (Interestingly, the DPI RST handbook advocates a bow and stern rope - but that's one hand each on a separate rope - easier to drop one - then you've lost control of the boat. (This is for launching alongside a finger (jetty) )

- Check all gut straps, tie downs etc are secure.

- How's the pressure in the trailer tyres?

YOUR TRANSCEIVER

- Know your radio protocol and the requirements of your local sea search and rescue - there is a variation in what base stations require. So call them and ask - then make up a card with the protocol and the details they require - which may include a mobile telephone number and/or car rego.

- If practical - for the first time - radio Sea, Search and Rescue from your boat at home and ask them for a radio check - don't feel silly - they'll appreciate your preparedness. Your radio is a tranceiver, that means it transmits as well as receives, so, especially for transmitting - the airial needs to be tuned to the frequency you are using - most helically wound radio antenaes come pretuned these days - but best to check - including catering for loose connections.

- Know your radio protocol - including courtesies, listening before you press the hammer, silent observation periods etc.

ARRIVING AT THE RAMP

Most ramps are going to start getting very busy, so the less time you spend launching and retreiving the boat, the better it will be for you, and the more appreciated you will by fellow ramp users. Besides, you'll look like you know what you are doing.

- Position the boat well clear of the ramp approach area - even in a car/boat bay first.

- Prepare the boat for launching - everything stowed and securing straps/ ropes/tie downs off. DO NOT start loading the boat once you've launched it. All this should be done well away from the ramp and certainly not tied up/held to, at the finger. Aerials Up, everything stowed away, motor up (should be already) , GPS/Sounder/Transceiver turned on, rods in rocket launcher. An organised and tidy boat is a safe boat.

- New crew? - give them a safety overview - where everything is, what it’s for and how and when to use it.

- Explain to your deckie what you are going to do.

- Observe the ramp before you approach - make sure the side you pick to launch is clear - pay special attention for any boats coming in.

- Position your Car/Boat/Trailer ready for reversing and make sure your deckie has the bow to stern rope under control. ON THIS POINT - ENSURE THE ROPE IS UNDER THE BOW RAIL, BETWEEN THE STAUNCHINGS AND NOT ABOVE - if the rope drops and you run over and snap it, you won't bend a bow rail.

- Personally, I NEVER remove  every connection securing your bow loop to the trailer. I’ve seen to many boats some off their trailers.

- I also never do a 'break launch'. I’ve seen far to many go wrong - anyway, if you have a good boat to trailer match - this simply is unnecessary risk.

- SLOWLY back the boat into the water, allowing your deckie to aside walk down with full control of the bow to stern rope.

- Launch the boat and have someone either tie up the boat, or jump in and secure along the finger.

- Have everyone ready to embark.

- Smartly park your boat/trailer.

- Jump on board, start the motor (don't forget to lower it!) - BEFORE YOU CAST OFF - if you cast off before starting the motor and the motor won't start. You do the 'silly drift'.

- Cast off and get well clear of the finger, then radio in.

THEN GO FISHING/BOATING

Retrieval is basically the reverse of the above. Again, prepare the boat for travelling/emptying gear etc – AFTER you have the boat well clear of the ramp.

The above is by no means an exhaustive step by step list - but should give some heads up for a better ramp experience.

OH - And one final comment - DONT motor on to your trailer if at a public ramp - often it's not aloud and if you do it wrong, or even half right, you can cause problems with the soft bed at the end of ramp.

gidday all a mate that lives nor needs a boat mechanic mobile or otherwise can anybody recommend someone up that way cheers craig

Anyone know where i can buy 15mm marine ply?
only need a 1000x500mm piece max!

cheers
sam

Hi All,
Does anyone know how to bleed a Hydraulic Steering System? I've seen air bubbles in the line and noticed some slack in the steering at times.I know how to bleed the brakes on my car is it the same principal only turn the steering wheel? If someone has a step by step explaining the procedure it would be greatly appreciated or any other info, Thanks.

I am on the market for a boat, only thing is I really boat know what I am after.

I am after something  in the market of 13-14 k.
Farward controls.
Want to fish estuarys, Swan and Offshore to as deep as safe for the size boat I purchase.

Obviously to come with a sounder / radio  etc would be great.

I was looking at Quintex range around the 4.5 m as I heard they are a reliable boat but open to suggestions.

Anything else others can point in my directon would be great.

I have grabbed a copy of Chris's tips as well to have a read of.


Cheers
Neander

I'm the new owner of a boat that has a EAGLE Chart Plotter / Sounder combined I also have in my possesion a EAGLE Chart Plotter. My question is can I run the EAGLE combo as a Sounder and the other EAGLE unit as a Plotter with both units mounted along side each other? Does anyone know if this is possible. Will the 2 units operate ok or will they need to be seperated further apart? Any info will be appreciated, Cheers.

gday,

recently have been running in my motor (25 yammy), for the 1st tank of fuel it says to put 1L of oil to 25L fuel (which is how much fuel my boats got atm). then after the "break in" period its just 100:1.
my question is that after i finished out in the boat playing around, can back home and put the motor down and quite a little bit of oil came out from the prop!
i am thinking it did this, because of the amount of oil i put in the 1st tank of fuel? is this normal? i spose it shouldn't do this when im doing 100:1 to a tank!

any one with info on this would be good!

cheers in advance
sam

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ24YSmtUvA

The new fishing/filming vehicle speed 65 knots ,12 L per hour
Carries 4 rods 35kg of tackle 4 reels ,20 l of extra fuel if needed and 2 cameras go most places .

Shane and I has not long to go before we has our tickets .

"twenty Hours To Freedom " 2 x 30 min doco on the vehicle how to operate and what you can do with it . has moved from preproduction to in feild production .


Fish hard and  fair

any one know where to get custom stickers for ya boat made up?
and approx coin?

cheers
sam

Any one know where i can get this C-map software for my navman plotter at a good price? might have to get a full aussie chart as i think there not that much more.

any info appreciated

cheers
sam

Does anyone know where one can purchase a large rectangular piece of 10mm nylon sheet so that I can custom shape a piece 730mm x 480mm to be used as a removeable cutting surface in a transom mounted aluminium baitboard?

I'm not to keen on repeatedly bluntening my knives on the bare ali surface.

John

Does anyone know where to get the fitting to connect a hose to the wash down facility at Hillarys?

I've tried a few irrigation shops and chandlery stores with no luck.

If you could have any trailor boat/motor combo what would it be, Bit of a jangles post I know but I'm just curious.


Cheers Scottie

What are peoples thoughts on this unit? 
And what power rating would you choose 1kw or 2kw?
And what price do they go for?

Cheers
Dean

I have been looking around at all the pressed boats available on the market. So far the manufacturers I've looked at include, Stacer, Quintrex, Ally Craft, Mako Craft, Horizon Boats, Sea Jay. I'm looking for a boat that has a deep v-nose and in the 4.5m range (must be available as a tiller).

The models that stand out to me so far are the Ally Craft Kakadu Karrier 445 and the Horizon Northerner 445. Both have a good beam for their size and a nice hull depth. Has anyone had much experience with Ally Craft and more specifically Horizon?? Is there any other manufacturers you'd recommend looking at?

hi all
im looking at buying a quintrex hornet 420
can anyone give me any info on this model,i plan to use it for river and inshore work

cheers

dave

G'Day Guys,

Just wondering if anyone might have purchased a navman marine radio recently and is not using the flush mounting brackets that came with it. If so i'd be happy to buy them off you for a reasonabe price.

I want to flushmount the radio that came with my boat but I don't have the brackets.

Alternately does anyone know a store where I could find these brackets?

John

Just chasing a few opinions on both transducer options for a Furuno 585.

If fishing in depths of less than 100m is the 1KW going to be any more effective than the 600W. In other words will the more powerful transducer show more detail despite the water depths being less than 100m?

John

hi guys, are there any northshore 650 boat owner on these forums.
looking at getting one,any opinions on the high gunnel sides . 910mm high on the inside.stood in one and they seemed to high to fish comfortable. other than that they seem a great boat.
any info would be good on the boat for fishing. 
cheers holth

G'day all,
I have just been mounting my new sounder and had to move my GPS antenna from the dash of my C/C. I mounted it else where on the dash but it appears to be too close too my GPS now as it wont pick up the signal.
Does anyone happen to have the pole mount adaptor for a LOWRANCE LGC2000 antenna that they are not in use of. As I think my only option now is to mount it off a pole on my dash.

Cheers
James

gidday all a mate is thinkin of buying another motor for his boat but got told fuel injected motors are thirsty compared to normally aspirated any info cheers

getting a boat in the next couple of weeks and i want to get a sounder/gps combo unit!

been looking at the Navman Trackfish 6507 and they look the goods! i want something easy to use and i don't really want to spend more than $1500..cheaper if possible.

can anyone recommend anything else?

cheers
sam

Well I have followed the trend and bought myself a new sounder! Unfortunately I didnt have thousands to spend but I managed to get enough together for a Furuno fcv-620. It will be a definate upgrade from the Lowrance LMS-337 combo unit I have been using so far. And now I can finally have a dedicated GPS and a dedicated Sounder without the nuisance of spliting or swapping screen images.
I picked it up from - Marine Electrical & Instrument Services in Port Bouvard. They were even nice enough to do me a deal at the prices from the boat show just gone so I saved myself a few dollars.

gidday all a mate of mine just got a boat and wants to get a canopy set up put on where around rockingham bibra lake area does that kind of work cheers craig

I have decided its time to spend the money and buy a new Furuno FCV 1100. After speaking with a few people that have or sell them it looks to be the pick of the lot.

I have priced them up here in Perth and with a 1KW transducer they come it at around $5500.

I have had a look around over in the states and with the Aussie dollar so good at the moment i can get one to my front door and save around $2000.

Is it worth the risk even though the stores are repitable and come with full warranty.

My neighbour has just bought a new sounder and GPS from the states and said he has had no problems with the purchase and said he saved around a grand.

Has anyone done the same and if so who did you buy through.

Thanks