Hi crew,  With work slowing down i have had some spare time to work on the boat. Ive been doing this for nearly 3 years but in reality have only spent about 8 weeks on the project. Unfortuantly work comes first but i hope to finish it off over the next month.

There are too many things to cover all of them, but i had to strip the whole boat and flip it over to repair the hull. Some of the stringers had broken and punched holes in the bottom, so I had to cut out sections and repair the damage, then weld in plates to finish it off. (sorry no pictures )

The fuel tank was in bad shape with holes and pitting so i decided to make a new one . I had to stay with the same shape to fit it under the floor but made it alot thicker using 4mm alloy .

Fuel tank in progress

All the inside joins were welded on the bottom section

The top section was welded from the outside only , the bottom section was welded from inside and outside.

The lap joins welded

By the end i was getting some nice welds.

Here is the tank with all the fittings in place,Sender unit and pickup . It has been preasure tested and ready to go in the hull.

I cant aford to replace the motor yet and being a 2 stroke i realy needed to sort out the remote oil tank. It was broken and the plastic was too brittle to do a cheep fix up.

So i went to get a new one. Found one at a dealership and got the price. At $980 complete, or $280 just for the plastic container , i prompty told them to go f@ck themselves and returned to my factory to make my own. Now i know boating parts cost alot, but that was just taking the piss. IMO

I removed the pump and fitting to see how bad they were. Just surface rust on the pump so applied a rust convert and paint. Then came up with a design so the tank would fit into the side pocket on the boat out of every ones way.

I fitted sender unit , the filler cap, and the pump went into the back of the tank exactly like the original. 4 hours later i was glad i still had a grand in my bank.

Another problem to over come was the gauges for the motor. They had sun damage and scratches so bad you could hardly read them.

Again i thought , I'll just replace the covers. No you cant get them, you have to buy new gauges. Ok so i'll price them up, $700 thanks mate. Again, I not so politely refused their mates rates offer and bought a lense pollish kit from an auto shop. A couple hours later and some elbow grease they were good to go. Not perfect , but good enough for me to use for a couple of years.

Went to buy a bait board, again came back and made my own complete with a 3 tackle box rack.

I repianted the hull last Xmass . For my first try at this ( I got alot of advise first ) It came up pretty good for and old boat.

I now started on the T-top. After looking at ideas online i got the frame work in place . I made it bolt on, so i can remove it if needed. I reinforced the console inside to prevent it moving around and tearing the aloy.

I fitted the marine radios up high and gave it a lick of paint.

The console is starting to look good with the in struments in place.

Many other items done ( too many to list ) but she is starting to get close to the final fitout.

Thanks for reading and i have more to add, but will post some more pictures on a new thread as this is aready pic heavy.

Cheers Grant .

 which Anchor are you using / is the best? 

I bought aCooper Anchor, and it is supposed to be for Upto a 6m boat. It drags through the sand, so thinking of getting another Anchor, an old bloke I know who has been round boats for ever swears by the Bruce. 

 Anyone here own a small Tohatsu 2stroke? A guy I know wants to sell his Tohatsu 5hp 2stroke 2013 model. My dad has a 10ft Ali Tinny and needs a  motor. Thoughts?

 I would like to hear some feedback from any trailer boat fisherman that uses a FCV 295 or FCV 587

I am in the process of making a decision which unit to go for at the right co$t.

I am getting into doing some drop lining In water depth 300m to 800m. 

I have a 6.0m custom built cuddy cab plate alloy with an OB.

I intend to use a transom transducer  ( TM 260 model 1kw 50/200Hz)

I have herd some forums saying it is a waste of $$$$ Going for the FCV 295 on a trailer boat ??

Any feedback on this would help.

ShipSterns

Hi everyone,

I'm starting my research for my first boat. I probably won't be getting anything until about next winter, but thought it might be worth starting now so I've got time to get my facts straight instead of doing a mad rush at the last minute when I've finally saved the money.

Preferably, I'd like something that could make it to Rotto for day/overnight trips with mates (when the weather is right). There'd most likely be 5 of us on the boat, only 2 of whom would fish. I'm sure the others would laze about and have a few drinks. Wouldn't go futher than Rotto. I don't know if it's possible to have something that can make it to Rotto yet still be suitable for cruising the river to drop some crab nets and let me have my first go at prawning. I'll also be getting my dive ticket this year so I'd like to be able to give diving for crays a crack when I'm confident enough.

It'll be half recreation and half fishing, I doubt I'll be doing solo trips on it often. Definitely something second hand that's already been set up with sounder/radio/extras (live bait tank would be awesome, but wishful thinking with my budget) since I'm a little clueless about them too. Trips to Rotto would be an occasional thing, but something that could tow a tube for my nephew & niece would be a nice bonus.

I know there's no "one boat" that can do everything, but at the moment I'm still considering the pro's and cons of both ends of the spectrum. Budget would be a max of $10k which is probably pushing it, but I'm willing to wait for a good pargain to pop up. I'm currently only driving a Cruze SriV, but may be upgrading to a Commodore in the future or I could just steal dad's car when needed.

Could anyone advise a good first starting point when looking at boats on Gumtree, just to give me an idea of what I should be checking out in regards to size, outboard size, brands?

Gday all..

Looking at a few different options at the moment, and wondering what advice people would have on the whole 2 motors Vs. 1 motor - mixed up with "everyday" 2 stroke Vs. 4 results.

Looking at some 4x new 165R13LT or C tyres for my boat trailer. Any advice on best place to buy them from.

was wondering what this boat is valued :-
2011 Bluefin 4.2 mt 'rogue' dinghy
2011 Dunbier Sports 13L 4.3 mt trailer
2011 Honda 30 hp 4 stroke long handle tiller BF30D (with gas trim/tilt and key start)
A mate is going o/s and is selling.

Hi Guys

I have a 5.5m ali boat and the paint is peeling off and bubbling everywhere. i was thinking of sanding it back myself and repainting it but seems a massive job, maybe a little to big for a driveway job.

Has anyone recently repainted their boat and what was involved? Do you have to take the engine and all electric components off? Is sandblasting an option.

if you got a professional to do the job what roughly was the cost and reccomendations.

Cheers

 ok warning may be a bit strong! but just to let df140 owners know that if you need a part and they (suzuki) tell you it's not available dont beleive them.

A Few weeks ago I had a problem with my df140 idling at no less than 2000 rpm, after researching this I found the problem may be the "air bypass screw" it's located in the throttle body, when I found it I found that the head had been pretty badly chewed up, it's plastic! (by the bloke who did the pre delivery in 2012 no doubt (I dont think it would have come from the factory like that) eventualy with a bit perseverance I managed to get it out but it was beyond reuse, so I jumped on the net and couldnt find it listed as a part although I could see on the digrams at browns point marine in the us the place where it should be, it's in the throttle body, so I emailed them to ask about it they told me it was not available as a seperate part and was part of the throttle body...about $650.00 us so I thought Bollocks to that so emailed suzuki marine in aus and they said to contact my local dealer which I did only to be told the same...not available as a seperate part so I thought Bollocks..again and started doing research on this little screw,

well it appears it IS available as a seperate part....but only if you have a df60 70 or 300! so I again contacted my local dealer and give THEM the part number and they ordered it for me and it's now in my possesion, so just because somethings not listed as a part for your motor use the advanced search at browns point and you may find the part is used on other motors but not listed for a df 140. the throttle body here is about $900 ............the screw cost me $12 something!

 Can someone offer me some advice please, ive been told that on a glass hull this is over hung too much.

Not being an expert on this stuff i thought id throw it to you fishers.

 Hi all, look at getting a smaller boat while I build the new house. Putting most of the coin towards the house.

Down to a couple of options the ocean whaler or south wind ub580.

Just wondering if anyone has any experiences with these hulls good or bad or if anyone owns one.

I will using it for inshore and venturing out to the 40s.

Thanks in advance

After purchasing my boat late last year with 180 hours on the clock, the 90hp E-tec is now nearing its 300hr service - I think that is a good thing but not sure about the missus.  After doing a bit of research, it seems that the 300hr service is the major one and a mate in the Pilbara indicated he was quoted over $900 to do it up there - he is a mechanic and could buy the software and parts for about $250 and do it himself.

Could anyone advise their experience with this service?  Particularly, who would be best north of the river in Perth to do it?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Can anyone advise the best product to periodically coat the trailer with to seal it?  How often should this be applied and are there any "tricks"?

Thanks in advance for any advice. 

Hi All

i`m chasing a trim/tilt motor from an early 90`s 75HP mercury if anyone has one or knows of

anyone wrecking an old motor.

cheers

Mark

Hi guys.

I'm thinking of adding additional electrical goodies to my boat, eg: led lighting, flood lights, live bait pump etc. but have run out of room on my 6 gang switch panel. Thinking of wiring up a second switch panel. Is it ok to do so? Should I connect it directly to the isolater or to the first switch panel?

 hey guys im looking at buying a johnson 115 two stroke, the guy says its done hardly any work and looks in great condition, has anyone had one experience with one before?

cheers dave

Had an interesting experience at Henderson yesterday, about 9:30am'ish, took my boat out for a test drive, leaving CPBA ramps, and keeping well to the right, close to the mole.
As I rounded the mole, another boat was coming straight for me.
I raised my right hand across my chest pointing to the left and indicating he turn. But no response, so I had to give way and turn to the port, otherwise we may/would have collided.
Now that entrance to the ramps must be 500meters wide, plenty of room for both of us.
Well we passed close by each other, giving pleasant greetings and suggesting he brush up on the boating rules.
I realise now I should have recorded details boat rego etc. I have just now looked at a "Marine incident report" and now have an idea of what's required. Will know better next time.

 Hey guys looking at getting a swiftcraft Viking, does anyone know much about these boats. 

Cheers 

 Anyone know where's a cheap place to buy 32mm Ali or SS tubing? Planing to do a diy hardtop for my Voyager. Haha

 hello just wondering if anyone has a swiftcraft viking that they could tell me some info about as im looking into getting one soon. everthing that i have read has been positive but just looking for some more info about them or any problems with them. 

Cheers David

 I've never used a reef anchor , but i am considering buying one. Are they any good ? Are there any special techinques to using one ? Any advice would be greatly bappreciated.

Been looking at these boats for quite a while and contemplating bringing one in from the US. The shipping side of it is easy got that all figured out as its what I do for work but im interested if anyone out there has any experiance with edgewater boats or in particular the 265 express.  I have seen one down at cockburn power boat club but cant track down the owners details.

Really keen to try and get out on one for a spin or at least talk to someone with experiance.  If anyone can help let us know

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/power-boats/2006-edgewater-express-265/128739

cheers

 Hi all 

  looking at fitting side pockets to the v berth of my boat as there isn't any for storage etc.. Can anyone tell me if they have done this or can recommend anyone to do this or better still if I can do this myself. Any help would be appreciated

Hi Guys, I'm new to the site but a long time watcher/guest, also a member of the NZ Fishing.net.nz [now living in Perth] My question is what is a good Boat Insurance to have, as I have ordered a new boat [Del. August] so need to have it insured. Any suggestions welcome. Many thanks. Deltadreams

I am looking at upgrading from a 5.2 Kevlacat to either a Kevlacat 2400 or a Leisurecat 7m and just wanted opinions/experiences on the good and bad for both boats.

 howdy all

the other day i logged on to rocky sea rescue but was not able to log off with them when i got back. my radio would not work. i still have power to it but i dont have any volume when i turn the squelch down or up  fully busy shows up on the radio but there is no noise at all comming from my unit, i had to ring them to log off, they told me they were trying to contact me because  i was 15 mins late getting back, i was  trying contact them to say i was on my way back. any thought to what could be wrong. the unit is a gme gx300

G'day all just wanted a bit of advice while shopping for my first proper boat.

Have had a tinnie with a 15 on the back previously but only used for crabbing in the river.

This time im looking for something a bit bigger for a bit of everything, crabbing, fishing and a bit of fun behind the boat.

Looking at something upwards of 4.4m, not sure if i should go fibreglass or ali.

Budget of about $12k

If anyone has got any advice it would be much appreciated.

Looks like previous owner took to this thing with a paint brush and a tin of paint. I want to strip it back to aluminium.

Any tips?

G'day, myself and my family have just purchased a business in Exmouth and will take over very soon, I have a Fraser 650 with a pod that I don't like and want it re modified, can anyone recommend a good aluminium fabricator with marine experience, I've had a quote from a company in Bunbury but was wondering if anyone has had a good job they can recommend either in perth or Exmouth. Cheers