Fab1

Im the same as Fishingphase,Ive caught a few drifting for other fish like whiting/flathead using a simple running sinker rig with baits such as worms,peeled prawns yabbies etc.As for sinker size i use the smallest ball/been to keep the bait moving on the bottom and have caught them whilst using size 1 4 or 6 baitkeeper hooks. Hope this helps. Fab1.

Hi guys, Havent had a chance to get out for a few months now due to work/family commitments. Would anyone share whats been happening lately in the Lake/Hacking as i need to get the boat out for a fish. Thanks guys.

Hi Mate, check the towing capacity for your car in your owners manual(stay within limits).Keep in mind that you may have trouble pulling it out of steep slippery ramps especially at low tide. In regards to wear and tear on your car,towing anything with a small car regurlarly especially up long hills will put alot of strain on all drivetrain components.Ensure you regularly maintain all fluids etc in your car. Generally get the engine serviced yearly,It also depends on your mechanical abilities whether you can service it yourself only you can decide on that.But my advice is if you dont know what your doing seek professional help. In regards to boat choice pretty much any tinny that size will handle those waters with a competent skipper. Insurance depends on providers/boat/amount insured etc.My 420 estuary angler cost me $300 a year. Hope this helps you out a bit. Fabian.

Hi michael, I currently have a quintrex 420 estuary angler millenium hull fitted with a yamaha 30hpcv that i purchased as a bmt package from hunts marine in march 2011. The boat was purchased for myself and my son also solely to fish the bays and estuaries only.(i don,t fish outside) Iv,e take mine out to places like port hacking,botany bay,windang and the shoalhaven river and have found it performs well in places like this,as mentioned above it,s best to fish 2 up as it can get quite cramped quickly with more onboard.It is very easy to tow,maintain,store and quite economical. Hope this helps if you need anymore detailed info feel free to pm me. Fabian.

Mate, i don,t know if you have much boating experience or not, but if you DON,T i would be boating in calmer waters to gain the experience and CONFIDENCE in handling a boat in different conditions first before venturing further afield as the HARBOUR can be a very danerous place for a inexperienced skipper.And the incredible hull is correct,your charade is NOT a suitable vechicle to tow anything SAFELY. HOPE THIS HELPS. Fabian.

Mate sorry to say,save up and get yourself a DECENT tow vechicle whilst your at it and save yourself and everyone else the heartache. Fabian.

Mate i wish you luck,for $3,500 you are more than likely to buy yourself a clunker that will need extensive repair and will be more trouble and (money) than it,s worth, try to save up a bit more and get yourself something decent instead of someone elses headaches.Perhaps look into a aluminium boat with a decent motor on it and have it checked out by a marine mechanic or someone thats been around boats for a while BEFORE YOU JUMP IN AND BUY.This is only my opinion and im sure other raiders will add to this advice.Remember once bitten twice shy. I hope this helps somewhat. Fabian.

Unfortunately people have to get out of the IT WON,T HAPPEN TO ME SYNDROME,as it CAN HAPPEN in the blink of an eye TO THE BEST OF US. THEY NEED TO wake up to themselves and use the proper SAFETY equipment AT ALL TIMES and seek out EXPERIENCED fisherman to fish with in groups and have a plan B course of action ready incase of emergency, and if they can not swim LEARN TO SWIM and don,t go near the ROCKS UNTIL THEY CAN.When im out on the water BEFORE/DURING going on to the ROCKS or out in my BOAT I always ask myself WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS?THEN WHAT?And iv,e always got a backup plan. Touch wood i haven,t needed that backup plan as yet.Mate it is always sad when tradgedys like this happens but unfortunatly like i said above this won,t be the last until people put more forethought into there trips and start using that grey matter upstairs a bit more.

Mate theres a decent feed Congratulations well done Fabian.

Went out this morning for a few hours and drift fished in the lake for 2 big bream and a heap of undersize bream/snapper and got cut of a few times by tailor more than likely.

Unfortunately silly me forgot the bait pump at home and had to use the baits i had.

Hi everyone, My son and i went fishing this morning as it,s been a while since we fished,we fished at Lillipilly,sw arm,and several other spots for nothing of legal size,mainly caught undersize snapper and tailor.Baits we tried were squid,pilchards and whitebait. The water is very dirty with alot of debris at the moment but all in all it was a beutiful morning to be out on the water. Thanks for reading.

HI, Test a small area somewhere on the hull that will not be noticed and get hold of a small tin of rubbing compound/cutting compound and a old rag(terry towling very good for this)and dab a small amount of compound on rag and rub area with moderate pressure until you restore the shine and go over area with a clean cotton rag afterwards.BE CAREFULL YOU DO NOT OVER DO IT AS WHAT IS HAPPENING IS YOUR REMOVING A EXTREMLY FINE LAYER OF THE SURFACE OF THE PAINT(THAT,S BECOME OXIDISED) AND YOU COULD RUB RIGHT THROUGH AND EXPOSE BARE ALUMINIUM AND HAVE NO OPTION BUT RESPRAY THE AREA. you will see it buff up nice and shiny.(any of the auto stores sell many types of brands and they all do a good job.) Just follow the instructions. As for the best way to restore it,s shine is to use a polishing machine with a lambs wool cover and rubbing compound folowed by a sponge cover and burnishing cream applied by machine but this method is much easier to burn through the paint and expose bare metal when used by the inexperienced.I would recommend that you do the boat by hand if you havn,t had previous experience using a polisher/buffer. I hope this helps. Fabian.

My brother and sister in law both aged 34 with 2 boys aged 7 and 4 and 1 baby daughter aged 18months were driving along the highway recently on a dark wet road returning from a friends birtday party minding their own business,their wasn,t much traffic about but he had noticed a old boat being towed by a old holden.Several kilometers earlier they had overtaken the guy in the holden towing the boat and my brother noticed he was sitting behind him.They drive for several k,s when my brother notices what appeared to be a large dog on the side of the road come out of the trees and about to run out across the road infront of the car so he slows down to go around the dog if needed, when all of a sudden they hear a screech of a car and the sound of shattering glass followed closely behind by a 12lb anchor complete with chain and rode.The sheer shock of the anchor comming through the back window caused my brother to loose control as he was struck in the shoulder and ended up in the median strip.Once the car was at a standstill he immediately checked that his family were o.k. On further inspection he saw the smashed rear window a chunk missing from the rear seat center backrest upholstery just above where his 18month old daughters was in her baby seat and the two boys sitting either side all showered in broken glass and the prongs of the danforth anchor embedded in the dash with the chain resting on the passenger footwell.He noticed his wife was bleeding on the side of the face and when he looked closer he saw that her ear lobe had been ripped right off as she had been wearing those dangly round earings.He started the car and drove his family to the medical centre and reported the incident to police.Luckily no injurys were caused to kids apart from small grazes/cuts from broken window,my brother received a fractured shoulder blade/bruising and you could see the imprint from the links on the chain for days.And his wife is now minus an ear lobe.They all say that they should have bought a lotto ticket that night that someone or everyone wasn,t killed.Driver of the car/trailer was never found but from what iv,e seen of the damage to my brothers car it was obvious that he wasn,t paying attention and when he slammed on the brakes his UNSECURED ANCHOR took off through my brothers window.Any way thanks for reading and this is what has inspired me to post TRAILERING FOR NEW BOAT OWNERS if i can GET SOMEONE TO STOP AND THINK and save someone from possibly INJURING/KILLING SOME INNOCENT FAMILY then it,s ALL been worth while. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable christmas and new year.BRING ON THE GOOD WEATHER AND ALL THE FISH! Thanks Fabian.

-HITCHING UP- IMPORTANT:ALL VEHICLES WILL DRIVE/HANDLE DIFFERENTLY WHILST TOWING THAN WHEN DRIVEN ON THEIR OWN.AND REQUIRE MORE REGULAR CHECKS/SERVICING, ESPECIALLY OIL CHANGES,FILTER REPLACEMENTS,FLUID CHANGES AND BRAKE INSPECTIONS.FUEL CONSUMPTION WILL ALSO INCREASE. 1:Hitch trailer up to car and ENSURE COUPLER is LOCKED DOWN on ball correctly,give a few solid pulls on drawbar to make sure it is SECURE.And put a R CLIP or small PADLOCK ON latch for extra security.Attach safety chain/s with a LOAD RATED D SHACKLE with enough slack in chain to allow TURNS to be made but at the same time not DRAG on the road.TIP:IF USING 2 CHAINS CROSS THEM OVER TO FORM AN X TO PROVIDE A CRADLE TO CATCH DRAWBAR OF TRAILER IN THE EVENT OF TRAILER UNCOUPLING FROM VEHICLE.Plug in trailer lights/brakes ensuring cable will allow for turns and not drag on the road.Always have someone stand behind trailer and check that all LIGHTS ARE WORKING before you leave. -ON THE ROAD- 1:Adjust side view MIRRORS so you can see the whole side of car/trailer and into each LANE,i like to slant mine downwards slightly so i can see some of the trailers MUDGUARDS or WHEELS.TIP:YOU CAN BUY TOWING MIRRORS IF NECESSARY, THEY GIVE YOU A BETTER FIELD OF VISION ON YOUR RIG. IMPORTANT:ALWAYS WARM YOUR ENGINE UP FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING OFF AS THIS IS WHEN THE GREATEST ENGINE WEAR OCCURS PARTICULARLY UNDER LOAD,NOT MANY PEOPLE DO THOUGH. -DRIVING TO THE CONDITIONS- ALWAYS-drive smoothly/steadily. ALWAYS -look further ahead into the traffic and plan way ahead of time on your next move. ALWAYS- allow greater distance between yourself and the car in front.(VEHICLE WILL TAKE LONGER TO BRAKE WHILST TOWING DUE TO EXTRA TOW WEIGHT TRYING TO PUSH VEHICLE.) AlWAYS- allow for wider turns as your trailer will cut corners. ALWAYS- allow plenty of room for overtaking.(VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE SLOWER THAN NORMAL DUE TO EXTRA WEIGHT BEING TOWED.) ALWAYS- allow more room when changing lanes and indicate well in advance your intensions.(VEHICLE/TRAILER COMBO NOW TAKES UP MORE ROOM.) ALWAYS- go down to a lower gear BEFORE ascending/decending hills.(THIS GIVES THE ENGINE GREATER TORQUE GOING UP HILLS AND HELPS WITH ENGINE BRAKING GOING DOWN HILLS TO HELP PREVENT BRAKE FADE/FAILURE. ALWAYS-Drive in the left hand lane and allow faster vehicles to pass. ALWAYS-slow down in poor weather i:e rain,fog,strong winds etc.(WILL STRONGLY AFFECT STEERING,BRAKING,TYRE GRIP,VISABILITY,AND VEHICLE/TRAILER STABILITY AND SAFETY.) ALWAYS-check security of trailer/boat and check tempreture of bearings during your trip whenever you stop for fuel etc. NEVER-overload your vehicle or trailer above it,s MAXIMUM LOAD RATING. NEVER-tow in TOP GEAR in a manual transmission or OVERDRIVE in a automatic transmission.(THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.)LOCK OUT OVERDRIVE IN A AUTO AND IN A 5 SPEED OR 6 SPEED MANUAL USE 4TH OR FIFTH AS THESE GEARS ARE MORE ROBUST AND ARE A 1:1 GEAR RATIO MEANING LESS WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. NEVER-tailgate vehicles in front regardless whether towing or not.(THIS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF REAR END ACCIDENTS.) NEVER-apply brakes hard especially going down a wet/icy hill around a bend.(THIS IS A SURE FIRE WAY TO JACKNIFE.) NEVER-make sudden,erratic turns,always steer smoothly. NEVER-take your eyes of the road and avoid all distractions. I could go on forever but these are the main things to look out for. TO CONCLUDE:REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND RIG AT ALL TIMES AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION IF NEEDED AND IF YOU DETECT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR VEHICLE/RIG STOP AND RECTIFY THE SITUATION BEFORE CONTINUING ON YOUR WAY AND ALWAYS GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP AND DO NOT CONSUME ALCOHOL PRIOR TO A TRIP AS TOWING CAN BE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DRAINING.

Yes oz_brett, good point.

-BOAT- INPORTANT-HAVE YOUR ENGINE SERVICED AT LEAST YEARLY BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO PREVENT BREAKDOWNS. TIP:A GOOD PRACTICE TO GET INTO ESPECIALLY IF THE BOAT HASN,T BEEN USED IN A FEW WEEKS/MONTHS IS TO CONNECT EARMUFFS AND WATER SUPPLY TO ENGINE AND START IT FOR A FEW MINUTES/CHECK TELLTALE FOR WATER FLOW TO ENSURE ENGINE WILL START PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP. 1:Ensure BUNGS are in and secure. 2:Tilt outboard up in TRAILERING POSITION and install outboard support arm. 3:Check all TIE DOWNS for condition and ensure their secure. 4:Check WINCH STRAP/SAFETY CHAIN is fitted and secure. 5:Load boat with gear and ensure ALL LOOSE ITEMS are TIED DOWN or/and STOWED securely. 6:Ensure alL SAFETY GEAR REQUIRED is loaded in boat.

-BOAT TRAILER-Walk around BOAT/TRAILER and inspect for worn,loose/cracked or damaged components prior to every trip. 1:Check TYRES using same method as vehicle including the SPARE. 2:Check bearing protectors for correct GREASE/OIL LEVELS if fitted.top up if necessary.DO NOT OVERFILL. 3:Check WHEEL NUTS and ensure they are tight. 4:Inspect TRAILER frame for excessive rust,split/cracked welds,bent winch post,broken winch components/secure safety chain.Apply a smear of grease to coupler.If trailer is equiped with BRAKES ensure brake system is working and grease all components if necessary. 5:Check trailer LIGHTS/PLUG for cracked/broken lenses/burnt out bulbs and broken/corroded wiring/connectors.Ensure LIGHTS are in working order,repair/replace if necessary. 6:Always carry SPARES/TOOLS to do roadside repairs to trailer if necessary.This is the equipment i recommend you don,t leave home without to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. -SPARES- 1:TYRE for trailer,you will be surprised how many people don,t carry one. 2:BEARING/HUB thats been PRE-GREASED. 3:LIGHT GLOBES. 4:SPLIT PINS.(SIZED TO SUIT ROLLERS AND HUBS) 5:TIE WIRE/ELECTRICAL. 6:ELECTRICAL TAPE. 7:HTB (MARINE GRADE) GREASE. 8:WD 40. -TOOLS- 1:JACK/WHEEL BRACE/AXLE STAND.(RECOMMENDED SMALL BOTTLE JACK)-WARNING DO NOT PUT ANYPART OF BODY UNDER TRAILER THAT IS SUPPORTED BY JACK ALONE. IF THERE IS ANY REASON TO CRAWL UNDERNEATH TRAILER WHILE RAISED, SUPPORT TRAILERS WEIGHT WITH A AXLE STAND PLACED ON CHASSIS ON FIRM LEVEL GROUND. 2:WHEEL CHOCKS. 3:HAMMER. 4:MUTIGRIPS. 5:PLIERS. 6:WIRE CUTTERS. 7:SMALL BRASS DRIFT. 8:SHIFTER. 9:PHILLIPS/FLATHEAD SCREWDRIVERS. 10:HACKSAW. 11:SMALL FILE. 12:EMERY PAPER. 13:TORCH/BATTERIES.

WARNING-Ensure vehicle is equipped with approved towing equipment that is RATED for VEHICLES MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY,FOLLOW VEHICLES OWNERS MANUAL AND SEE STATE LAWS IN REGARDS TO TOWING.FAILURE TO COMPLY COULD INVALIDATE ALL INSURANCES IN THE EVENT OF INJURY OR DEATH. IMPORTANT-IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU HAVE YOUR VEHICLE INSPECTED AND SERVICED BY A LICENSED MOTOR MECHANIC ON A REGULAR BASIS. But if your prepared to do a little work yourself and learn and save yourself a heap of cash and get job satisfaction in the process get yourself a workshop manual for your particular vehicle. ABOUT MYSELF-Iv,e been a licensed motor mechanic/spraypainter for just on 22 years now,Mechanical apprenticeship was completed with BMW and Spray painter apprenticeship completed with Toyota and have worked for a number of prestige workshops/dealerships and have worked on or painted vehicles including-your average holdens,falcons,toyotas,nissans etc to your prestige vehicles including-bmw,mercedez benz,volvo,porsche,audi, etc.During that time i have come across owners who look after their vehicles and for their efforts maintenance costs in the long run are very low and on the other side of the coin iv,e come across people who totaly neglect their vehicles and what would have been a relatively small repair turns into something that costs them many, more times than the repair would have cost had they paid attention to it earlier.Iv,e also had experience towing trailers ranging from horse floats to box trailers for the past 17 years. I want you to remember there is a saying in our trade it goes like this:YOU CAN PAY ME A LITTLE NOW OR YOU CAN PAY ME MANY,MANY,MANY MORE TIMES LATER! Any way these are the things i do: -PRE-DEPARTURE- 1:Check BATTERY TERMINALS/EARTH STRAP for corrosion and security,if found to be corroded clean with a terminal brush and apply a smear of petroleum jelly to posts/terminals and tighten firmly.DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN TERMINALS. 2:Check battery FLUID LEVELS and top up if necessary with DISTILLED water. 3:Check COOLING SYSTEM including radiator cap,expanion tank,radiator/heater hoses for leaks/fatigue or loose/broken clamps and replace if necessary. 4:Check coolant level and top up of necessary using ANTI-FREEZE mixed in the correct ratio. 5:Check all drive belts for wear,splits,glazing and tension.Adjust or replace if necessary. 6:Inspect AIR FILTER and clean or replace if necessary.TIP:paper element filters can be blown out with compressed air from reverse side with air gun. 7:Check TYRES and SPARE for correct tread depth/wear or foreign objects embeded in the TREAD and INFLATE to CORRECT pressure when tyres are COLD. 8:Check all vehicle CONTROLS and LIGHTS are in working order,pay particular attention to the HANDBRAKE. 9:Check TOWBAR/BALL for loose mounts/cracks/split welds and grease ball with a light smear of grease if necessary. WARNING-DO NOT TOW IF FAULTS ARE FOUND UNTIL RECTIFIED. 10:Check TRAILER PLUG/WIRING for chaffed/cut/corroded or damaged wiring/terminals and clean/lubricate or repair if necessary. 11:Carry SPARE engine fluids,drive belts,radiator hoses,light globes,fuses,electrical tape,wd 40 etc and necessary toolkit needed in the event of roadside repairs inclding a suitable JACK and WHEEL BRACE TO FIT VEHICLE/TRAILER WHEEL NUTS. NOTE:Refer to OWNERS/WORKSHOP MANUAL if unsure about any of the procedures listed above. I hope this has helped you all understand there is more to towing than just hitching up and driving off without a second thought.

Thanks for your opinions guys,the reason i was asking is i have a 4wd hilux that tows the boat fine but the problem is my wife has horses that she tows with the hilux on most weekends and i was thinking of putting a towbar on the daewoo if it was suitable.Im leaning towards it struggling on the hills and if it would have adequate braking also.The problem is i live in campbelltown and travel to Windang/Nowra/Port Hacking etc and can,t avoid going up and down BIG HILLS and travel a distance of atleast 100km.bmt weighs 550kg fully loaded with fuel gear etc after getting a weighbridge certificate.Maybe she can get rid of the horses and buy a miniture pony instead (They cost us a fortune) so she can use the daewoo and ill use the hilux.Lol.Sorry for the novel.

Hi Raiders, I have a 2.0 manual daewoo nubira that,s rated to tow 600kg unbraked/1200 braked and would like to know if it would be capable of towing my quintrex estuary angler safely without killing my car,bmt weighs 550kg.If any of you have had experience towing with similar powered vechicles any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Fabian.

Drift fished the channel in Lake Illawarra for 2 flathead 5 bream and a bloody puffer fish,gave the 2 flathead to a young kid fishing with his dad and let the bream go.

Hi Mike, Can you tell me if it is able to be towed by a 2.0 4cyl petrol with a Max unbraked tow capacity 600kg,or should i use my hilux as i would prefer to use the 4cyl on longer trips rather than the v6 petrol hilux that is a great car other than it drinks fuel like it,s going out of fashion if at all possible. thanks Fabian.

Does anyone have information on a quintrex estuary angler millenium hull Runabout, and if so are they a well built decent safe boat for estuary/lake/river fishing for myself and my 16yr old son to enjoy some fishing.Pros/cons would be appreciated.

Both plugs are wet the same,and it,s been happening since new.Bought bmt package march 2011.Could the diaphram be faulty since new?