tuffy

Just another suggestion guys, check the trim tab on the bottom of you motor. If it's sitting straight you will have a torque problem. I had this issue with my new Haines. The previous owner obviously thought the trim tab should sit straight but this is not the case as these tabs are designed to offset any engine torque. Just a suggestion as this was my problem. It was obviously the previous owners problem as he replaced the steering cable 3 times in 5 years. Cheers, Tuffy.

I have one on my Haines Signature 492 Cuddy and it works brilliantly. I still have to get my feet wet when I'm fishing alone, but apart from that it really is a convenience. My last boat didn't have one and I had to leave the motor in gear at high idle to stop the boat from slipping back off the trailer while I hooked up over the nose. With this, I just drive on until it catches and kill the engine. Job done. Certainly impresses the shit out of the bystanders! BTW, this was on the boat when I bought it. Cheers, Tuffy.

Hello fellow Raiders, long time no post. I bought a Haines Signature last year with a Honda 75 and unfortunately didn't get many opportunities to use her until a few months ago. I started having trim up/down issues as the operation became intermittent. Closer scrutiny ( and topping up the fluid reservoir) revealed slight leakage on the top of the 2 trim rams, so I figured that there were seal problems. After attempting to get some advice from a couple of marine dealers/ mechanics to little avail I decided to attack the problem myself. I searched online and found a supplier of new parts. The main issue was how to undo the caps on the top end of the trim tubes and it became apparent that I had to purchase a special "Flange nut wrench" at $60. Ok , bite the bullet, just another specialty tool for my kit. When I eventually removed the caps, I withdrew the rams and noticed that there was distinct pitting on the rams particularly at the bottom end. This is the part of the ram that sits under the seals when fully extended, so apart from the seal kits and "o" rings, I decided to buy 2 new rams. Nice and cheap!! took about 2 weeks to get the parts and carefully replaced O rings and seals and re-assembled the unit. After topping up the fluid reservoir and bleeding the unit I still had a minor issue. The motor was going up and down perfectly but when I lifted the motor to its fully up position and heard the hydraulics start to bind, the motor would not go down without releasing the manual release. I mucked around with it for a bit , obviously getting frustrated, until I released the cap from the fluid reservoir and let a small mount of fluid out. Tried the whole process again, up fully etc, and bingo, job done. The power trim/tilt is now operating perfectly, so I am satisfied that I was able to fix the problem myself without having to pay a mechanic to do. Saved $100's in doing this. Anybody else have these issues, just PM me or call 0402 110 666, and I will be happy to help. Cheers to all, Tuffy.

mate, had a CC for years and like you I got sick of being sunburnt, bashed up, tired legs and soaking wet when coming in from outside. Sold it last year and bought a Haines signature 492F cuddy. Best boat I've ever owned. Tuffy.

Hi fellow Raiders. Just wondering if anyone has a lifting ring to suit Mercury. It seems the only place I can get one is the USA and are quite expensive. Only need it for a one-time job to get the donk off the boat for painting. Happy to pay a reasonable price. Please PM me or preferably call me on 0402 110 666. Thanks in advance, Tuffy ( Russ)

Hi Mate, I've done this 3 times now and you have to go back to as close to bare metal as possible, ensuring the finish is as smooth as you can make it. Lotta hard yakka but worth it in the end. As for paint, I always use Norglass Paints, manufactured here in Sydney and is absolutely bullet proof. Comes in 2 pack or single pack, but I use the single pack as it is much more user friendly. Do not roll on. Use a spray gun or if you are VERY careful it can be applied with a very soft brush. Call the company and talk to a tech - they are very helpful. Not the cheapest paint around but definitely one of the best for marine use. Glosses up beautifully and is long lasting. Any help I can give just pm me. Cheers, Tuffy.

Flylife? Isn't that a Chinese dish you have with Satay Beef? Tuffy.

I was out on the harbour one day and caught a little rock cod about 8 inches long - had him dangling on my line in the boat looking for the pliers to unhook him and toss him back and my phone rang. The call was from a prospective employer talking to me about a potential position. Heavily involved in the "interview" the bloody fish started flapping around and shook itself off the hook and landed dorsal fins down on my thong clad instep. Well, I can't begin to tell you how bloody painful it was, and all the time trying to keep a professional tone in my voice with a prospective employer. The call lasted about 15 mins - the pain about 2 hours! Ever since I have never kept a Red Rock Cod to take home. Waste of time for what little meat you get - and can be tough. Oh, I got the job as well. Sometimes ya just gotta tuffen up! Cheers, Tuffy.

Save yourself the trouble of germinating the chilli seeds. It's a lot easier to go to Bunnings and buy the seedlings. They are only a few dollars each and just stick them in the ground. Do not water too much and the more sun the better. I've grown jalapeno, habaneros (very hot) firecrackers, thai chillis and some orange coloured ones about a big a your little finger. Ended up giving most away because the crops were so prolific. Definitely a summertime crop though, they start dying off around June. Still got a heap frozen in Ziploc bags to tide me over winter. Cheers and hot times to all ! Tuffy

Just like all my Kingies----------- 2 cm short!!!!! Good work though mate. Tuffy.

Easy to do Camo, just make sure you use DD ply and not MDF! Seriously, just Google it or if you want ring me 0402 110 666 and I will walk you through the process. Cheers, Russ.

Nothing really with this motor, but my last boats had Honda 4 strokes and I swear by them for fuel efficiency and low noise. I will upgrade this to a new Honda/Yammie 80hp when I get some surplus fat$$$. Thanks for your comments guys. Tuffy

Good afternoon Raiders, I just thought I would share some pics of my new ( new to me) boat I recently bought. Sold Tuffy after owning her for 9 years, but I was getting a bit over the centre console thing - too hard on the body after a day standing up, so she is now living happily in Port Macquarie. These are pics of the new one, and it is a pearler! Only down side is that the motor is a 2 stroke - until the new Honda 80 comes along that is. Cheers to all, Tuffy.

Years ago a guy I worked with bought one. These guys used to come around the car yards selling "leather jackets". He paid $200 and when he accidentally burnt it with his cigarette, he realised that it was vinyl with fake leather spray on it. Turkey! He was a tool anyway. Tuffy

I converted mine to a CC about 6 years ago. 4.55 Seajay with 50hp Honda - Polyethylene console from what was then Bias Boating, but other chandlers would probably sell them, cost roughly $400, then the steering - I went hydraulic - control unit for the Honda was expensive with the wiring loom. All up I reckon it cost my about $3000, but the best money I've ever invested as the hull now performs like it should with the weight now moved forward to the centre of the boat. I can send before/after pics if you are still interested.

Hydraulic is the ONLY way to go. Tuffy.

Just saw this thread after not being able to access the site for some time. And NO, I have not been in the slammer !!! I have been working where the Company blocked every site that was not related to its own industry. Talk about draconian attitudes. Anyway, one of my faves is a beer from Aldi called Nut Brown Ale. Comes out of the USA and is one of the nicest ales I have tasted. Not always available however, as are many of the Aldi lines. Standard weekly purchase for home is Chang Lager out of Thailand, from Dan Murphy. Always a smooth drink. My wife, who drinks very little and hates beer, will often nick one of my Changs. Go figure. Cheers, and stay tight !!!!!!

Or, buy a 4 stroke. Tuffy

They feed on humans and small Rhinos. Tuffy

Honda 75hp @160 kgs or 60hp @ 110kgs. I am on my second Honda motor and in 10 years have not had one problem ( other than the one that was my fault). Noiseless, smokeless, oil-less, faultless!! 5 year FACTORY warranty. Never look back. Tuffy

Yep, for water skiing. Tuffy

Hello fellow Raiders. I have not posted for quite some time due to work restraints, but here I am. Some of you may recall some 5 years ago when I converted my tiller steer 4.6m tinny to a centre console. At the time I chose to install Seastar Hydraulic steering which was the best thing I ever did, and all was fine and dandy until about a year ago. During very hot days, the steering would become progresively harder to turn. I couldn't figure out what was wrong - re bled the system, checked the lines for kinks etc, but still no joy. When the boat was home under cover and had cooled down everything was back to normal steering. It wasn't until recently , after another day out, and not that hot, that in frustration I decided to Google " why does my hydraulic steering get stiff when hot" and I came across a chat forum ( USA ) where some guys had the same experience. One of these guys complained to Seastar direct and they sent him a replacement unit, free of charge. So I thought, lets give this a go. I emailed Seastar ( Canada) and explained my problem and asked what I should do . The reply came back the next day asking how old the unit was, any serial number etc. I replied that I had purchased the unit in May 2008 and sent them pics. Next day, to cut a long story short, Seastar informed that they would replace the unit at NO COST TO ME. One week later it was on my doorstep, invoice price of $487 Canadian, and no charge to customer. What about that for back up service. The unit was out of warranty by 4 1/2 years. Tell me how many companies stand by their products like that. They will have me as a customer for life. Thought I would pass on a good story. Cheers, Tuffy.

North Harbour ( Manly Bay ), drift the southern half of the bay over towards the Quarantine side. Also, mouth of the Lane Cove River is holding at the moment as well as up the LCR near Hunters Hill High. That's enough of a start - don't want you using too much fuel !!! Cheers, Tuffy.

Ring Navico the importers and explain your problem. They are usually very helpful. They are based at Lane Cove Industrial estate - numbers is 1300 628 426. Cheers, Tuffy.

Yet another boat, Marco? Tuffy.