The Incredible Hull

Hi Rob, I just recently purchased a 2012 450 Escape. It has a 60hp 4 stroke EFI Mercury, incredible fuel efficiency. I can only take it outside on calm days, but then again, so does everyone else in bigger or smaller boats. I was dead set keen on a 5m boat, but it couldn't fit in my garage =( And parking outside is a no go as my street is too narrow. Anything 5m or over, you'll be fine. Just make sure you have space to park it safely and the right towing vehicle. I'll be upgrading to a current model Hilux. Dave

Zoran thanks for the reply, you answered it perfectly. Yes my mates boat has a bigger motor like yours with the 2 ram rods. Mines a smaller 60hp. So technically I didn't really need that support stick... but again thanks for the explanation!

I've learnt not to buy cheap tools. On the flip side, I just got a whole new set of Gear Wrench woohoo!

Hey Raiders, So I've got a new (used) boat, and its my first one with an electric trim on the motor. In regards to using the motor stick mount and lowering the motor onto the stick, how exactly does the hydraulic trim work? On my mates boat, he has 2 rods which you can visually see that raises the motor. On mine I can't see any rods. When I lower the outboard onto the motor stick support, how far (or how much) am I supposed to push the down trim button, for it to be effective and take off the weight? Hope my question makes sense! Cheers, Dave

Beautiful boat. My mate had the Viking, a real classic.

lol steve thats hilarious

Yes Platinum is the same one! NGK brands mine as Iridium, maybe the name has changed or its a different manufacturer.

I've run 98 in my Victa lawn mower and I've had it since 2003 and its still running strong. I run 98 in absolutely everything. I'm seeing too many of "this guy said this, that guy said that", just try it yourself and see the difference! @Sigma If you change your plugs to Iridium (the ones that have a pointy tip instead of a flat tip), combined with 98 you'll get about 100kms extra. I run this setup in all cars, mowers, outboards etc. I don't know why everyone isn't doing it. It's advancement in technology, just like how all car manufacturers get their technology from F1 cars. It makes much more sense to run a turbo in all cars for efficiency purposes, i.e. a 2 litre turbo compared to a dinosaur V6 which gives a similar power output for half the fuel consumption.

I think that article is partially correct. Just like in all my cars, I pour 98 fuel in everything. And I can promise you, I get more km's as opposed to pouring 91. With this though, I also changed the plugs and cables. Iridium plugs give you a much cleaner and leaner burn compared to your average plug. Iridium plugs cost more, sure, but they last much longer, doesn't need to be changed until 5 years. So with Iridium plugs and 98 fuel, I get a cleaner burn hence a healthier engine and I get more kms.

I felt the excitement of the reel screaming when I was reading it, fantastic report and great catch, well done!

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Use an onion bag with a rope and tie it up.

Hey Bill, The tank empty its not that heavy, and with 30 litres of water that will be 30kg, total say 40kg ish? When mounting I used an extra small piece of aluminium plate under it, for extra strength. So for you, I would put small plates behind your rod holders, it should support it. And yep all pipes are out the back so no need to cut up or put holes in the boat, and when you eventually upgrade boats you can take it with you. Dave.

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Big Angry Fish! Love those kiwis catching their kingy live baits. We catch small yakkas and they use 50cm salmons lol !

Hey guys, Sigma, The packaging was actually really good. He used hard cardboard for the long corner areas, and heaps and heaps of bubble wrap. I thought it was going to come in a box, but its just what I described above, which in all fairness I think is sufficient. As the guys stated above, its the couriers... I honestly don't know how they could possibly bend that! The aluminium is thick and solid, you couldn't bend it that easily, would need a sledge hammer to bend that... So as to how it happened I'm quite amazed. Stupid couriers *sigh* It took 6 weeks I guess cause I did have a few custom requests. You can get anything changed which is very cool. I had height requirements, and plumbing requirements etc. And it takes about 1 week to send via Aust Post. You can ask for a tracking number too. Rod tells me to take it to a panel beater to get it fixed, at my own cost... Suss out the insurance guys for peace of mind.

Hi Raiders, Thought I'd share this experience with you all. I was looking for a live well made, many people recommended BaitMate. After paying $565 upfront, 6 weeks later this is what I received: Side wall is bent in: Another pic: I was not happy about it, called Rod. He doesn't have delivery insurance... I'm not saying don't buy from this guy, cause I can honestly say the workman ship is top notch, but if you do purchase from him, get the insurance for delivery sorted out cause last thing you want is a "second hand" item which you paid full price for.

I fish live bait and mostly and knife jigs, still yet to crack the SP! Great job & well done!

In regards to having a different state rego, its not properly governed. I think the general rule is, you have 3 months to get it changed. But no one watches that clock, or even starts that clock... I've driven a Victorian number plate in Sydney roads for 3 years and had no problems, I even had it insured under my parents details in Melbourne. (Sydney has stupid rego and insurance premiums compared to Melb, almost double the price). And dont worry about insurance coverage, they still pay out claims interstate, I know from first hand.

Actually from Melb to Syd its about half that price, $300-$400. I've sent 3 cars, with a company called CEVA.

Close to brand new Micra - but is a girls car... lol Corolla - one of the most reliable cars on this planet with cheap maintenance Cool sports car = money pit Go the Corolla.

Hey Geoff, I used the existing mounting point of the old transducer, but yes I understand what you mean about the strake, guess its the first thing i'll look at (touchwood) if I ever have any problems. How did you wire it? I know its pretty straight forward, just wanted to double check. Power cable: Has yellow, red and black. I only used red and black, didn't use yellow. I had the red soldered onto the fuse cable. Then it had a bunch of data cables maybe 4 wires, I didn't use any of these. I made sure they were all taped up and not touching. Transducer cable: a single cable. What do you get on the screen when you switch it on at home? Dave.

Hi Raiders, Does anyone know if this part has a name? My mate is looking for one to put on his boat. One end has a loop which is connected to the bimbi/canopy and the other end which I'm holding in the picture, clips into a screw on the windshield. It's basically like a safety chain to prevent the bimini from falling down. Thanks raiders.

Hi Geoff, I finally fitted my sounder yesterday and took it for a test drive today. Works absolutely fine. Zoomed in: Transducer: If you notice my transducer is not exactly parallel to the hull, its pointed slightly down, maybe 1 notch on the mount. I went at max speed, 55kph, and was still holding bottom. The only other thing I noticed, my transducer wire is not under mount like yours. I did try putting it under, but the gap on the mount was not big enough, I didn't want to force it so I ran the wire outside the mount. Dave.

I think the HDS uses a different transducer? I'm praying mines gona be okay.