davegroves68

Hi David, and all raiders, My 1980 Betram 25 (owned with a mate) was bought with twin 165s. We new we were looking at a repower in a few years but after 3 months, one of the gimbals on one leg snapped and the leg was only hanging on by the trim cylinders. Taking on water, we could hav sunk but managed to get it round to a marina as this happened at the mooring in Pittwater, and got it slipped (7pm on a sunday, thanks Bluey, you now who you are). Long and the sort of it was it would cost 5 grand to repair, and we would still have a 30 yr old leg. So, we did a lot of research and decided to do a full repower from a twin to a single V8 engine and upgrade to a Bravo leg. Where to put the boat was the biggest hassle, ended up on a friends lawn. We did the donkey work ourselves, as i am a toolmaker and co owner an electrician. Got a fibreglasser in to plug holes and do engine mounts,(he messed us about). Sourced engine and legs independantly.Got them fittedand now job is all done. The whole job took 7 months, mainly cos we were waiting on tradesmen. And we had to put it back in the water before we could finish the cosmetic stuff, as we overstayed our welcome on lawn. Cosmetics are ongoing but we now have a boat that runs like a dream, only have servicing bills for one leg and engine, and it has 330hp and uses less fuel (well, a little less,Carbs not EFI). Went to boat show recently and ofcourse was told we could have had it done cheaper and better. But we couldn't get them prices when we needed them..always the way. Only been back in the water since November, so servicing is soon. But its great to know the bussiness end of the boat is all brand new and hopefully reliable,,(no issues yet). PM if you ever need DIY repower advice. regards, Welsh Dave (Boat named Alchemy) Hope its really is a case of crap being turned to gold.

Yeah, wish they would do that in Pittwater. welsh Dave

Hi Raiders, a late report but i was waiting for my made to send me pics. 3 saturdays ago me and my mate headed out from pittwater at about 9.30am. A glorious day with only 4-5 knots blowing and flat as. so, as Pittwater and around had not been performing we headed wide off Long Reef. We drifted for a while with no luck so headed for a mark my boss gave me. Sounder looked promising so dropped anchor and a burly bomb. Within 5 mins I was into a samson fish, not sure if it is a good size for here as its my first. Next drop and i get a bit of a fight off a very nice travally. we got another 5 samsons and then a 34cm snapper. All in all a fantastic day, great weather and fish. Oh, and i nearly forgot.. the smallest flattie i have ever caught, but it was on the mooring while i was waiting for Doc to arrive. Lets hope we have more days like that. Dave Sorry about the layout of post, still learning Dave

Nice work. No prizes for guessing what your having for dinner tonight.

Hope you had some luck. I've been drawing a big fat blank in Pittwater lately.

All I've been getting at West Head is Leather jackets lately. Nothing at Flint and steel, though around the corner in a little bay i got some chopper tailor on bait and SPs. Gave that area a miss this wk and went offshore for much better results wide off Longy. Will post report when my offsider gives me my camera back with the pics. Dave

Now THAT is a fishing trip! One day maybe me.

I absolutly agree Tan. There is nothing better than hooking up a salmon off the beach as the sun comes up and seeing him jump out of the surf. Better than a boat sometimes because you can be into the bacon and eggs within 5 minutes at Narrabeen Well done young Gun!!

Off long Reef ,jewgaffer. Don't know the area really as i usually fish out of Pittwater. I do owe the boss a tho. Be assured, he gets his money's worth out of me. Been a tough few months.

Hi All, went into work on friday morning as usual, then the boss got a call from his mate to drop everything and go for a fish. Trouble was, he had a couple of clients coming over, so he couldn't. Then he says to me "can you get to the boat ramp for 9.30 ? take the rest of the day off". Cool! Got there, went out and we landed a couple of decent dinner plate sized snapper. This was mine. The wind started to pick up a bit , so headed back as we got bitten off by the LJs a few times. all in all a really tough day at "work". Big thanks to my boss and his mate. Dave

The salmon off the beaches are always good fun to catch. Well done Dave

thats brilliant. Glad i don't surf after watching that.

The :wife:to be, hates fish so i guess the boys in the pub will benefit as any family are in UK. If I ever get one.... I live in hope cheers!!

Hi all. This may sound like a silly question, but all these huge YFT that i see in the reports being caught, what do you guys do with them? I mean, i would love to be lucky enough to catch one or two in time and enjoy a few steaks but my feezer isn't that big and i would prefer to release them rather than waste 80% of a great fish like that. If i catch a couple of flatties on the weekend that does me for a week(gotta have red meat some nights ) Dave

Thanks for the welcome fellas. Certainly hope there are more Kings with my name on them. Dave

Hi Raiders, been reading the site for a while but haven't posted till now. Went out on Pittwater on saturday morning, about 8.30 (meant to be on the water by 6, but friday arvo after work takes its toll in Manly) . I was on my own and headed for my bait spot off Currawong. Not much going on, lots of burly but the yakkas that do turn up seem to be a bit big for livies, just 4 of them. Anyway, as i'm pulling in one yakka, a squid follows it up.I leave the yakka in the water and grab my $20 rod with a squid jig on it. RESULT!!! decent bait at last!!... Hooked up the squid and sent her down in a spot near one of the markers. 15 minutes went by then, zzzzzzzzzz. I've never caught one of these before , only having lived here for 3 years , but , HELL, they are fun, 3 good runs, lots of smiles and i land my first Kingfish. Not a big one, but at 63 cms and as it was my first, it had to go back. I then moved to various spots with no luck, apart fron them DAMN LEATHERJACKETS !!!!AHHH!!. Called it quits at 2pm and went home . Great weather, and its gotta be better than working. Dave

Looks like a good setup. I've got a Bertram 25 foot with a broken winch and its murder pulling up each time we move. Dave

Hi Raiders, This is my toy,owned with a mate. A 1980 Bertie 25flybridge. Repowered recently with a single Bravo leg and a 350 Chev V8. Still lots to do but we like it. We keep it on Pittwater. my first post so I hope it works. Dave