I have to replace the plywood deck in my 4.85 aluminium cuddy, I plan to use the 12mm marine grade ply which will be painted with a non-slip coating and then use the rubber matting over the top. I have looked into the Norglas products but they seem pretty expensive is there a cheaper alternative to a non-slip marine grade coating. I have searched the site but most advice was for glass boats or for people who wanted carpet. Any help would be great, Thanks.

Does anyone know anything about the build quality, ride quality of the small boat builder Odyssea Fabrication in O'Connor?

Have seen the ocassional one come up in a boat yard or on gumtree, but hard to find out any information or reviews about them.

I would greatly appreciate any heads up from owners or anyone who has even experienced the ride in such a plate boat around 7m.

Not keen on the usual glass v plate discussion, hoping someone may know something or someone specific about Odyssea.

Thanks in advance.

Members would have seen Surge, a member on here, offering his services for boat strip and repaint.  Well I took advantage of his services and I thought others on here might be interested in the end result.  Unfortunately I did not take before and after photos....only the finished product.....but suffice to say paint was lifting badly, bubbles and corrosion under the non-slip coatings and under gunnels were flaking like dandruff.

Am I happy with the result, absolutely, but judge for yourself!  Would highly recommend JLM Bodywork for boats and having seen the numerous photos his vehicle work equally impressive  

Hi All,

I've an old man who doesn't handle the rolling effect at rest very well. He is fine while the boat is moving, but being tossed around while fishing is not his cup of tea.

I spent a fair bit of time researching into hull types that would provide the best stability at rest; and almost came to the conclusion that a trihull would be the most suitable for a 7.5m boat (please correct me if I'm wrong, I dont know much by all means). other option was to get a gyroscope fitted in but that would take too much space, need a dedicated generator, and no way I would pay 26k for an up to 5 ton gyro.  I looked into CATs at this size boats and it looks like in order to get big difference in stability at rest then you may consider having a beam wider than 2.7m! Again that what I have been told by multiple people, and through researching online.

I'd appreciate any input from trihull owners or anyone who can help me making my decision. I'm looking into the "Air Rider" by GMD and "Mirage" built by preston marine. If you own either designs I'd love to hear from you. Dad still has 3 years to retire, so I still have plenty of time to decide.

Thanks alot in advance.

Youssef

 G'day guys,

I have just started a re-fit on my old 1982 Quintrex Fishhabout Centre Console 5.0m and am up to deciding what to do for the fuel tank.... I have always used portable tanks, but want to fit an under-floor tank.. I was ready to buy a New Era poly tank of 45L (as that is all that would fit in the space without a custom make), but I would like to see if there are any Fishwrecked members who make custom tanks, or know of anyone who could...??? The space is about 800 x 500 x 240 high, so it can hold a lot more than 45L (and that is without following the v...)

Any help / contacts etc would be greatly appreciated, and a write-up will follow!!!

Thanks heaps

Drew

 Hi Guru's - I went out from Mandurah today - boat ramp to James sSevice reef - ran beautifully- left it idling while we set up fishing gear as I knew we would have to go back to my mark to start the drift ,,,, anyway - after about 5 min the  motor sounde like it ran out of fuel and died. Located fuel primer bulb - was soft (not collapsed) - pumped up a few times until bulb wa hard - started and ran - went back to my mark - drited with engine off, started again headed over to another nearby mark- same thing except underway this time. Started again -same procedure as before -   issue repeated itself  again - s o I called it and headed home - engine died 3 more times on the way in  - started again using above procedure - made it back to the ramp. Each time the primer bulb was soft and took a while pumping to firm it up - any idea  on likely culprit  - if it was the fuel pump it would be either working or not - I don't think they work a bit and then stop working  and then repeat that cycle? Any input much appreciated.

Has anyone been successful connecting their multi function display to the Yamaha command link bus without the Yamaha command link nmea2000 gateway.  By the time you buy the Yamaha gateway and required leads its $500 odd seems way over priced for what is probably a switch device for the nmea 2000 backbone  Have heard mixed info that it can be done using the Lowrance lead but the 12v needs to be isolated by either cutting the power wires or using a isolation tee on the backbone. 

thanks

 Looking at options for a new trailer. Seems to be a few really cheap Ali kits and pre made options on the market at the moment. Has any one heard bad reports or good reports about them?? Looking at sum thing to suit a 24' glass boat rated to around 3.5t with electric breaks and drive on. 

Theres the usual brand making sum nice trailers but I can't see where the $12k-$18k price tag is coming from when you compare them to the lesser known brands??

 Does anybody have a lifting Eye tool that would suit a Mercury 150 4 Stroke? It's the 3 bolt type and the Pitch Cicrle Diameter is about 110mm.

I want to adjust the height of my outboard. Alternitavely I could do it with a sling. Has anybody used a sling to lift a large outboard?

I have a forklift available...

 Hi guys, I've just bought my first boat, a 2005 Razerline eclipse and there is a few things I need to fix on it, I was hoping for some advice.

 - the bilge pump needs replacing, does anyone know where it actually is on these? The carpets' glued down to the whole floor, so it'd be good to know where it is before I start hacking at it.

 - the scuppers at the back of the boat seals are all perished, does anyone know where I can find replacements for these?

Thanks

Justin

 Hey guys looking at a 18.5ft half cab with a 75hp what r yout thoughts is this too small 4 this boat ot would it be ok

Hi Guys, my trailcraft trailer is 10 years old and has corroded in a number of areas (pics below). I was wanting to fix it up before something breaks.

Looking for some advice on what I should do.

Cheers

Simon

Anyone have or know where I might obtain a small piece of marine whiteboard (think that is what it is called - white plastic / nylon around 9 or 10mm thick) ......I need a piece 420 x 90

Thanks 

Hi all, my dad recently bought a new 2T dual axle aluminum trailer kit from Wahoo Trailers for his boat I thought a few people on here might be interested in seeing first hand results for this relatively new company.

We picked the kit up from their Rockingham warehouse, it fit in the back of a patrol ute with some creative stowing. The flat pack includes brakes, lights, nuts, bolts and a pretty detailed set of instructions. Total cost was somewhere around $5500 and total weight of the trailer was 400kg. Wheels needed regreasing but apart from that everything went pretty smoothly.

Whilst the actual build time for the trailer was probably only a couple of days work, it took a while from ordering to deliver with a couple of parts being delayed which held the build up for a little bit. Saying that, the finished product looks the goods and passed licensing inspection with no dramas.

 G'day lads. 

After a bit of feed back On the 300 yammys V a 300 Suzuki. Looking at a new boat and going over motor options. From what Iv heard the 300 yammy is a bit thirsty and I know they need premium juice! 

Suzukis use to have gear box problems but I'm told the y have been fixed. 

I know it's sorta opening up a can of worms! I had no problems with my last yammy and nothing to major that wasn't self inflicted on my last twin suzys

cheers 

 Hi, anyone here using them and if so

1. Are you happy with them?

2. What size boat and type, i.e., Tinnie, glass  etc?

3. What type - electric or hydraulic?

4. Did you install them yourself?  

5. Before buying did you compare them to other makes and models?

6. Any pro's and con's?

Cheers

 Hi guys,

I have a 70hp 2 stroke Yamaha outboard.

When driving in swell/ seas and the boat bangs the throttle control slips from the position it was in (losing speed). Is there anything I can do or a way I can tighten this up?

Cheers,

Salty. 

A quick update on my re-furb job, pulled all the carpet and did some glassing while I was at it.  Decided to go marine carpet at $1300 for full install and pockets wrapped (pockets went on after the photo).  Bought a dolphin t-top a while back and decided it was time to install it with the new mods. Re did the trailer bearings and electrical all through the boat with new lights, just got to secure the tee top to the console with some mods, secure the antenna and anchor light, throw in some new anchor rope and chain and awaiting cushions and seat to come back from the upholsterer.  Pretty much back in action, just hoping the most critical component will run without issue, but she starts well so hoping with some fresh juice the blood will hit the decks again after the ole girl having a fair hiatus.

Cheers,

Adam

Hi All,

Looking for some advice on setting up a 3rd battery. Currently running a 2 battery set up with a 3 position isolation switch and isolate 1 for starting and then use the other for accessories when the engine is off. Currently running 2 sounders/plotters, sometimes a fridge, radios, deck wash etc off 1 battery so drains it a fair bit when the engine isn't running. When starting I switch to the other battery then to both when the engine is running to charge both batteries. etc etc.

I'm not interested in a solar panel at this stage. Would like to know peoples thoughts, opinions or suggestions on what would be the most ideal setup.

At the moment I'm considering a Deep Cycle 3rd battery connecting to a separate power cable/fuse box for the major accesories to be connected to in behind the dash via a isolation on/off switch. I would also connect a VSR or a relay of some sort between the alternator and the battery to isolate it for starting and to allow the battery to be charged once the engine is running. Someone has also suggested a DCDC charger?

Maybe someone can recommend an installer (to have it done for the right price) or a supplier who knows what are the best options. Also happy to do the install myself but want to make sure that I'm making the right decision before spending the cash.

Thanks in advance, Kuzi.

Went out the back of Rottnest yesterday and noticed a wiff of oil when I started the motor. Anyway the motor ran perfectly for 55 nm at 5000 rpm.

I was suspicious as 2 yrs ago the 2000 Yamaha 80 4stroke developed a hole from one of the cooling channels into the cylinder head. I had the head repaired at a head reconditioning business and have got about 100 hrs out of it since then for $1400 all up.

Checked the oil on return and the level is high with milky froth in the dipstick tube so I think that cooling water is getting into the oil again.

I suspect that its time for a new engine, I'm relatively happy with the 22 foot banana boat and trailer which are the same age. I don't think you could sell a rig with a forked motor anyway. I am thinking about a new Yamaha as all the holes in the centre consol and transom could be reused. Yamaha still sell the same engine in 80 and 100 which is a 1596cc engine with a very long production run, or a newer engine of 1832cc in a 75 or 90hp which is 10kg lighter. Any recommendations on which is the better motor and what do you do with the old one? Also do you really need an extra long 25in leg on a banana boat?

tia

PB

Don't tell me about boats, I've had my own boat since I was 9 years old ( I'm 62),

I worked on commercial boats for years, prawning, Cairns game boat fleet, East coast Scallops.

I had my own specialist saltwater charter FTLO up North .

I KNOW about boats.

Yesterday morning I launched my nearly new $50k rig with absolute perfection.

Halfway down the ramp onto the concrete.

Luckily for me there was only a crowd of about ten waiting to launch their rigs.

No embarresment or anything......much.

with so many helpers we managed to get the good ship DILLIGAF? Into the water with no damage.

And no one was hurt ( altho I may never be mentally the same....ever again)

Note to self.

Dont ever undo the safety chain before the hull is wet, even if it means wet feet,

G'day

I'm just chasing some opinions on whether to run two VHF units with they're own seperate antennas or one VHF and one UHF.

My current set up is the latter, however I recently lost my UHF antenna. As I have another VHF unit sitting in the garage I was thinking about taking the opportunity to remove the UHF unit and instaling a second VHF as I never use the UHF. 

Any thoughts or ideas are welcomed.

Hi All,

Can anyone give me some info or direct me to a link that will show latest rules and regs that come with towing an over width boat trailer.

I've been seaching but found nothing specific.

I know that a permit was required, along with signage and flashing light, keep off freeways and tow daylight hours only.

Is that still the case or have any of the above rules been relaxed ?

Is there anyting else that may need to be taken into consideration ?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 Hi crew just wondering if you can keep a battery charger trickling away keeping the battery topped up if you have a dual battery system with an isolator switch for on and off functioning. If yes do you leave the switch off or isolated to a battery . ?? 

Hi Guys

Saw this today on my outboard. Smell like oil colour like mud, outboard running smooth nothing wrong.

Its turn on with the first pull( its a mercury 2 stroke and only 6hp).any recommendation what when wrong?

Looking at buying my first boat. I'm keen on a Bar Crusher 615c.

Do you have any tips for a first time buyer?

Boat show is just around the corner, is there normally good discounts that you could not get by negiotiating at a dealer? How negotiable are the prices normally, is there similar room to move when compared to cars?

I'm happy to buy 2nd hand, however I have been suprised at how the Bar Crushers seem to maiotain their value and very few seem to be for sale here in Perth.

 Redoing the inside of my boat, any suggestions on marine cloth?? for under the gunwales? How difficult is it to do by yourself? Not too worried on a primo job as its an old boat, but want to tidy it up and make it hardy/washable for fish guts etc.

Any ideas/suggestions and if i do it myself, best way to make it stick?

Having the wiring re-done Wednesday. Have taken the pocket wall off and will install new as well and have put on new pinch weld.

Cheers

Adam

 G'Day fellas , i've joined a forum on fb some of you probably kow it. Anyway it's mostly to do with renovating older boats and quite a few of these guys are putting a pod on their reno. What r your opinions on pods and what benifits do they give ? these are fiberglass boats.

Hi All,

Just wondering if any of you have had any experience with Spitfire aluminium Boat trailers?  They seem well priced, particulary for an Ali option, but just chasing some info from those in the know.

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Picture is not of my console but wont the finish has anybody got any recommendations on what material to use. Poly carb, perspex ,hdpe boat lives in the pilbara so it is exposed to the sun.