impulse

Ture, I'm anal when it comes to maintance and since Dec 05 I have only missed 4 weekends so my problem might be over use.

I think this is my 1st fishing report here a Fishraider so here goes (& be gentle with me). It all started with a quick check of the weather stats links on the web (my quick link site is down due to changing ISP's, but that’s another story). The weather seemed ok for Sunday so I packed the Signature with all the family peace offerings you need when you take ones wife and child, toilet, play toys, creams, lip balm, hair brush, 3 different types of wet-ones and off we went. Lunched at Munch Ave ramp at about 8am, heaps of trailers already parked so looking forward to cramped fishing conditions on the water. And sure enough there were lots and lots and lots of anglers wetting there lines (poor fish trying to decide which line to rip its jaw off). We slowly set off from the ramp (No 2 son on lap at helm skimming the concrete and bouncing off the moored boats before the bridge). Passed the bridge gained some speed only to slow down again past the 1st runway as the chop caused No 1 wife to suffer Boob Bounce (I read that in the latest F&B this month and cracked up as its so true). 1st stop was Moll’s point with 3.2 million other boats, found a tight spot just inside the green channel marker and out goes the default Aldi Prawns (Yes Aldi provide a lovely fresh (frozen) 1kg bag of peeled prawns for only $8, cheap at ½ the price). These prawns do well 90% of the time. Floated No 2 rod out with a No 2 long shank and small ball sinker running at the end of the hook, off she floated. BANG away went the line, at the end of some 50m of line so a lovely 36cm Trevally. Nice fish to start the day. No 2 son was in the cab shooting the creatures with his laser beam but still shouting out “Have I caught one yet daddy” (given I baited, cast’d and monitored his line). No 1 wife was waiting for the big one but missed any good catch here, her time was yet to come. There were heaps of youg Flatties brought in all of which went back in for another day. Then here comes the Martin boat slowly cruising up to most boats inside the channel asking to see at least the number of life jackets for people on board (us included), all friendly and nice, was happy to see we had the right jacket for our No 2 4yo son. He asked the boats anchored in the channel to move behind the markers. We then went out just inside the Southern head for some cod, and some other strange rock fish thingy’s. We caught lots of slime’y mackerels. We then found some interesting biological inhabitants living in the mouths of the mackerels. I pulled one out with the pliers and they looked like big flat white slaters. Does anybody know what they are? My son loved it as his into all things wrong and broken. Over to Kurnell down stream from the jetty (along with 2.1 million other boats) Anchored up, burley’d out and smiled and waved a the next boat only about 10 meters away. No 2 son was having a great day what with the creatures living inside the fishes months, he continued to play in the cab (a must have for families with young kids. Then my wife line bends and the struggle began, after what seemed a lifetime my wife brought up a 45cm Sergent Baker (never seen one before) and she was wrapped. I have searched the net for the word on the Bakers and some seem to say they aren’t good eating due to the amount of bones, has anybody got the goss. Next was my No 1 rod and did she bend, a good 5-10 min bring it up, it was, wait for it, a Port Jackson 1st one for me (caught a nice Shovel nose last summer). Got it to the top and it busted off, my guess about 110cm. All in all a great day on the Bay but it goes to shit on the way home. Cruising home along the M5 and bang, the misses thought it was all over and I pictured the arse of the boat dragging on the bitumen. It was a blow out on the trailer. Now I thought the fun was about to start trying to change it. See I needed to borrow a mate’s car with a towbar as my lone car (yet another story for another day) didn’t have one. I few things needed to fall into place before the spare was on. Did this car have a jack, wheel brace (and the right size), was the nuts rusted on, did the old shredded tire cause any damage to the trailer and or boat. All of which were OK and the tire replaced (while No 2 son was climbing the hill) and home we went. There is always a story to tell when boating and I love them all, this is why we own them The PJ was almost in the boat for No 2 son to poke The BIG BANG

Looking forward to the YFT trip, I'll do that special thing you like.

Great report, should be out this weekend on the bay. Well at least your shorts are lower in that pick inked...........

You can use this as I have read on other sites it may help http://www.biasboating.com.au/outboard_access.html MACS Anti Corrosion Additive - For Outboard Motor Flushing MACS gently cleans salt & corrosion deposits. After cleaning a fine film is left on all surfaces to inhibit further corrosion. The film also lubricates and protects moving parts in the water pump. MACS is added through normal engine flushing. Macs Injector Cat, 8572 BIAS Price $39.95 Connect to flusher to regulate input flow Macs Additive One litre bottle Cat. 8570 BIAS Price $36.95 Macs Additive Four litre bottle Cat. 8571 BIAS Price $88.90 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also on the note of flashing I use this if its to late when i get in. I needed to modify the size on the linisher as my prop was slightly to small. When you use the silencer it creates better back pressure and i find more water flow through the rear exhaust. Outboard Silencers - All sizes $57.90 Reduces noise up to 55% when flushing outboards. Inserts into aft side of prop. Creates back pressure enabling accurate adjustment to engine idle, etc. Alloy with special rubber 'O' ring seal.

With a bloody big one, Andrew

Dave, nice to catch up with you on Friday (I'm the guy you towed on new years eve and lost your rope). I was looking for the freebees but didn't see any, I missed the competition for next year but I’m sure I’ll join up again, but will your tug be able to pull my new Maritimo 60’ I’m picking up in September, (bloody nice boat).

That sux, I didn't stop at the stand but had the same thing happen while looking at the "dream" boats on the water. If you’re not in your amarni suit your trash. The sales guy was too interested in telling us that the weather was ruining his $200 shoe's (poor him). He didn't want us on his boat and watched us like a hawk, (i did try and knock off the turbo diesel for my 16"er but didn’t have a hex key with me). On the plus side the rest of the show was great, there are heaps of trailer boats and for me the new Signature 580F would be my choice.

Here are the spec on my 492F, http://www.geocities.com/impulse492f/ Top speed 32 knotts (60Kph) @ 5300rpm Cruises at 45kph @ 4500rpm Fuel consumption is approx 1.3km per/L I have a full set of doco's as I'm the 3rd owner and all the previous owners were anal like me and keeped it all from magazine write ups to all receipts. I would hate to add them all al.

Hi, I have a DT85 (93 Model) on the back of my Signature 492F and it goes like a dream, kicks over 1st time every time and has never let me down. The weight of the 93 model is 122kg if that helps at all.

Fine if thats how you feel, I'll take my years of experience with me, who was the one that told you NOT to hold the rod by the skinny end.......hey!

Looks great, looking forward to the 15th ...... but the weather looks like its on the turn, 25 knot winds with 3m swell . Unlike yesterday, it was great on the bay and caught fish to boot.

The final spot is booked sorry for those who missed out. Looking forward to the days outing.

G'day Dave, saw you cruising for business around La Perouse (Frenchman’s Bay) a couple of weeks ago, I haven’t stop using the boat just putting the boat in closer to my destination. It doesn't hit me that much as I have a company car but if I hat to pay for both car and boat fuel it would cost me $93.10 for the car and $119.70 for the boat ($1.33 p/l at 70L/90L) That’s $212.80 to fill both up and at that price it would show less on the trip meter.

If the days right I'll be in

Gee thats a bit harsh........

I was asked for more detail on my boat so i thought i would add it here as well. Its a Haines Signature 492F Dec 94 model it cost me $16K, the boat in excellent condition with only 234 hours on the clock. The 85 Suzuki (93 model) pulls 60Km (32 knots) and is more then enough for skiers. I've had 4 large adults and 2 12y/o kids up on the plan in seconds. This hull is only rated to a maximum of 90 hp. It glides across the water beautifully with its 33-21 degree hull, some people say that due to the step V in the hull that the signatures aren’t stable at rest. I find it great, it does role a bit when 2 big guys go to one side but only rolls to a certain point then locks up and won’t roll any further. At times it can be a bit tight on room but it’s a balancing act between room and cost, the bigger the boat the more fuel, the bigger the car etc so I balance this out with better organisation within the boat, where people sit, the storage of items etc. This is my first boat and I love it, I purchased it a week before Xmas and have used it every weekend since and sometimes during the week as well. The Signatures hold there re-sale value really well, the guy i bought it off bought it for $15,750 2 years ago. I have seen this model up around the $23K mark. More pics of here are here http://www.users.on.net/~apmoon/signature.html Also look at the 493F which is a re-vamp of the 492F. You cant buy it new but the can see it here. http://www.haines-signature.com/catalog/fishing/493f.htm The 492F specs (as bought) Length: 4.87m Beam: 2.01m Hull: 33-21 degrees Signature Variable Deadrise Hull (SVDH) Capacity: 5 adults Fuel Tank: 90L under floor (I fitted in dash gauge) live bait tank Built in esky 3 x bait cutting boards (on top of the 3 rear hatches) Anchor well Bow Sprit with roller Ski pole Swim/Ski stern platforms Bow Rail Cabin lights: twin fluro’s Deck lights & Nav lights Carpet (removable) Side storage areas (2 levels down each side & 1 level in cabin) CAV water separator fuel filter Stainless Prop Marine Radio AM/FM/MP3/CD player with 2 speakers Fishfinder (the unit that came with it failed so I installed a new one) Swivel front seats Removable rear seats (so you can walk right to the back of the transom) GPS (I bought and installed this) Thanks