Hi Guys.
I'm setting up my tinny with a 5 inch sounder/gps combo.
As the outboard doesn't run an alternator and I have no other electrics on board,
I'm wondering how I connect the combo to a rechargeable battery.
Does the battery need to be earthed, if so what do I earth it to?
Should I run a switch/(panel?) or will just a fuse do?
Any tips would be highly appreciated.

I've decided the merc 115 2 banger on back of my Trailcraft 570 sportscab has to go and be replaced with a four stroke. I've narrowed it down to the new Yammy 130 and the suzi 140. Have heard a lot of good feedback on the suzi and was sold on these up until recently, I always figured the yammy would be overpriced. Can anyone give me some feedback on the F130a? Prices are pretty comparable at the moment and with the free rigging promo's on the yam I'm now tending towards one of these. Any info is much appreciated.

Cheers

Righto, finally got the energy to pull out the 50kHz SS264 transducer I put in 3 years ago to test the 200 kHz transducer I had sitting on the bench for the past 3 years (long story but the 600 W 200 kHz transducer already on the boat worked well so I never bothered).

Plan was to pull out the 50, replace with the 200, if the SS264 200 kHz was better than the old 600W 200 KHz, I would pull that out and put the 50 back in so I have 1 kW 50 and 200. Phew.....

Anyhooo.....I remember I used a HEAP of Sikaflex when I put the tranny in 3 years ago, and man, it is like concrete! No chance of getting it out without a jackhammer.

On the net, guys have used a product called Debond Marine Formula, that apparently softens and breaks down Sikaflex. Worth a crack. Found it at All Marine Services in Hammmy Hill thanks to the guys at Debond O/S.

After trying to remove the easiest bit, rubber gasket, with no luck, I sprayed on this stuff, left it for 5 minutes, and with only a bit of effort it comes off. This stuff WORKS!

Anyhow, 2 hours of scoring and spraying and out comes the tranny with no damage. Happy days.

Highly recommended product, this job would have been near impossible without damging the boat or tranny otherwise.

Putting the 200 kHz in tonite. Less Sikaflex this time!

Hi all

Have a 5.9 Sea Quest with ~90L/100L u/floor fuel (unsure) - and a kill tank, which I want to keep.. I do carry extra fuel on some trips, limited to 60L (3 x 20L) by using Jerrys, but they can get in the way.

Generally, the 90L is fine for 80% of my trips, but I really want to spend more money on fuel so I can cover more ground and still not catch fish. I also want to not catch deep drop species on the two days a year conditions will allow me to get out.

I have two options essentially

(temporarily) Increase fuel capacity by using the kill tank location

Go slow(er) – currently doing this, range is much better! Still want some safety (spare capacity) if I head out wide though.

I have a ‘lift out’ insulated box for my kill tank – it’s great for keeping ice cold. A couple of bags hardly melt in a whole day – good for when you don’t want the big esky on the deck. Also good for bleeding Macks and other excitable toothy fish.

I think I can get an additional 100L – 140L using the kill tank location (depending on cap height/filler configuration). Was thinking of getting a tank fabricated with tabs/eyelets from Ally that I can lift in/out when I need it (when empty). Wouldn’t have it plumbed in, but transfer fuel to the main tank through the main filler with a 12V transfer pump. Soft fuel cell is out (initially) as I don’t think the fuel will transfer that well from a bag..

Pros/cons and who has done this before?

Cheers.

 Good morning guys

just wondering who I should get to service my engine

nor preferably

and what I can expect to pay for a 400 hour service

bought the boat in March so haven't had a service before, wondering who to go to/avoid. 

Thank you

 Hi all

I have a 115 Etec, recently had a gearbox rebuild, probably only done 10 hours since. Prop shaft was bent.

So been out a few times no hassle, only tonight after just a small outing, come home to flush the motor with muffs and turn her on to her a tap tap tap, down around the bottom of the gearbox..turn it of and when I rotate prop, you can hear the gears meshing, alsoo there is play in the prop, I can wiggle it side to side.

Been one big fuck up after another as motor is not that old, guys that serviced it for first few services told me some water in oil but didnt pick up on bent shaft.

Took it to Chivers last time who did the rebuild..

Thoughts ??

Hey Guys, I'm looking for a fabricator who can make up a targa bar out of stainless for a 6.5m centre console catamaran. Targa to look something like in these pics. Prefer NoR but for the right fabricator I'm prepared to tow down SoR. Thanks

Looking for someone mobile in the Hills area. Need a swag of wiring ripped out and replaced but must do good work. Any recommendations ?

cheers

Wanted to buy a propeller to suit 115hp optimax, either a 17pitch or a 19pitch

 Hi guys 

I bought a new boat, and one time I was down at hillarys I saw a guy with an inline soap dispenser clipped into his hose by the tap. Just wondering if anyone knew what it was? 

Does anyone with a Baron Outrider still use the standard Outrider pod with a modern day 4 stroke engine?

 Before I lash out and pay more than the purchase price to have these shipped from Queensland, has anyone seen anything like this around Perth? These are corner protectors to go onto a fibreglass esky - see pic

cheers

 My johnson deskwash pump isnt priming.

I have tried back flushing it, cleaning the filter and have pulled it apart and cleaned it out.  The diaphram appears in tact.  The hoses arent blocked and tbe pump itself runs, but isnt priming.  Has worked well for 4 - 5 years up until now.

Any other suggestions? Or does anyone know who services them in perth?  Google isnt much help.  

 Hi guys.

My boat has a removable lightboard that is attached to the transom.  I find it a bit of a hassle whenever I go boating.  I would like to mount it permanently to the trailer.  Do I just buy some square U-bolts and mount it to the rear trailer bar, and run the cable to the front of the trailer?  

The lights are fully submersible etc.

Thanks

 G'Day everyone

Chasing some info and feedback from people who are in the know regarding rebuilds or repairing glass boats in particular the Baron Sportsman.

I have for some time now wanted to get myself a "project boat" and love the Baron's. Can anyone give me some tips on what might costs are involved with;

Pod cost $

Re-paint cost $

Built in Fuel tank cost $

Stainless bar work cost $

Windscreen cost $

Any other info would be bonza!

Cheers

Chris

Anyone out there had dramas with sikaflex not curing

washing down boat this morning and rubbed hand over the transducer (thru hull) and got a white stain. Upon closer inspection the sikaflex appeared wet when u touch with finger.

Been installed over six months. Interior side seal seams ok but going to pull it out this week but it's not a fun job 

 Hi guys.  

I currently have an in-floor tank that sits under the motor well. Filling it, is via the top of the tank.  I am thinking of constructing a permanent bench seat at the rear of the boat.  Doing that would mean filling up the fuel tank will be a major pain so I would like to install a deck fill on the gunnel.  Is it a matter of simply removing the current filler and then putting in off the shelf fittings? Any issues that might arise from doing that?

Thanks

 Hi guys.  

I'm looking at installing a new fishfinder on my boat, to replace my existing OLD Furuno 1610cf combo.  The Furuno is good but theres no backlit, which makes it hard to see the display most times.

I was thinking of the Raymarine WiFish but theres also a product called SonarPhone T-Box.  Very few reviews on the net..

Had anyone have any experience with wifi fishfinders?

I currenly use a 10" Asus tablet which has Navionics app.

 Hi guys

i am a member of whitfords sea rescue and have no reason to give it up even if the answers aren't inline with my expectations, but

i have been asking people and my belief is that being a member should I break down I get towed in free, is that correct or am I wrong.  I thought the membership was similar to the rac

whatelse does my membership give me, apart from cheap courses

as said earlier I have no interest in giving it up the membership fee for me is a cost of boating but just would like clarification

cheers!

 Hey crew

just finished re-wiring my Leeder 710ss and want recommendations for a trimmer to re trim the cabin and possibly more depending on pricing. I've had some rediculous quotes. 

hey fellas

Anyone got info on a

Zongshen 30hp 2 stroke

stay away ? Or not bad?

cheers hemi

 Quick question--can you use small amounts of paint pigment to tint flowcoat? I need to take some white just off to a beige/offwhite. I am fibreglassing a fairing block for an electric capstan to the gunwhale and want to have it roughly match the existing colour of the topsides, pure white will just really stand out. Internet search just won't give me an answer, I know there are pigment pastes  available for the job but they are a long way from here.

 Hi all

Just chasing some advice from those in the know. 

I took a boat out for a test run this morning, and it had a 5 blade stainless prop on a 115 Merc 2 stroke, 5 and a half meter stabi craft pontoon style boat. 

The engine only managed a max rpm of 4700-4800. 

Does this mean that there could potentially be damage to the gearbox/engine  from the wrong prop? 

I look forward to the advice 

Cheers 

 Hi guys

just want to know what people's thoughts are on some decent aluminium boats, I am converting from glass to aluminium and hav been looking at bar crushers and assassin boats, the only downside to the bar crusher is that you can't walk to the front of the boat easy. Please Give me your input/ thoughts on this topic or any other decent aluminium boats.

 Would love to hear from current and former Penguin Huntress owners in regards to what mods and upgrades they've done to improve their boat? Very keen to hear about motor upgrades, hardtop conversions etc.  

Basically, anything to make their experience with the Huntress more enjoyable! 

Thanks.

 Hi all you knowlegable fishwreckers out there - I want to put a solar panel and trickle charge my battery - sick of waiting for the weather gods and the work gods and the kids sport gods to all align onre day - go to put the boat in the water - only to be confronted by a flat battery - what I am trying to find out is what wattage panel I need to do the job - I only have 1 battery - 730CCA . Started looking at panels - everything from .5W to 12W - do I need a regulator? -I am completely lost on electrical stuff - Thanks for the info in advance

 I am looking at repowering my 2002 model trophy 2302. It currently has a 200hp Mercury EFI with only 140 hours but most she will do is 30 knots down wind. I know the Props right because its reving at the right range etc it just a heavy solid boat.

I cant find anywhere that specifically tells me the max HP for this boat. The manufacturer seems to only power up to 225hp but it does not say I cant go bigger.

Would like to put a 250hp on if I can find a good second hand one.

Does anyone believe 250 would be too big for a 7 meter boat ?

 Hi guys 

I am looking at a hardtop boat, but the roof is too low, so I am thinking about buying it and lifting the roof, just looking for quotes so I can factor those into the offer price. 

The roof is only supported by the 2 targa bars

Here are a couple of photos

 morning ladies and gents

Three questions for you today

1. i have my fuel tank out of the boat and empty been out for about a week.

my question is, iam wanting to wash the inside of the tank out incase there is any sludge/slime in the bottom. anyone use a particular chemical or technique? 

looking at the gunk in the fuel filler hose iam certain there would be sludge in the bottom of tank

2. also replacing all fuel lines and finding it hard to locate a shop to purchase from NOR any ideas on where to buy from?

3. Could also be looking at replacing the fuel gauge in tank. Do you need to calibrate these or are they a simple replacement?

thanks for any help 

also iam aware that the fuel lines need to be a certain class of hose and i'll be using all top notch hose clamps

 hey all,

i have a newly acquired tinny with a 50hp Honda...electric start...sounder...lights...stereo and am wondering (concerned) about monitoring the battery use.

any suggestions on best way to do this? are portable gauges sufficient or better to look at wiring in a fixed gauge and if so, is that fairly straight forward?

anyone else have a similar set up or addressed the same thing?

Appreciate any advice.