Fab1
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Posts posted by Fab1
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1 hour ago, Volitan said:
Thanks for the replies guys. Obviously there are some conflicting views there. Rightly or wrongly, I tend to think conservatively and give greater weight to the negative views so now I’m thinking what if I limit myself to a fairly lightweight tinnie of 14 foot max. I could limit the motor size to maybe 30hp. Would those who advised against towing with the Hilux feel the same with that rig?
Or maybe a RIB. Wouldn’t those be lightweight?
Really, a smaller boat wouldn’t be a big compromise for me - I’m thinking first year or two of use will be largely in enclosed waterways regardless of what I buy. I doubt I’ll be doing much distance towing either - maybe a trip or two to Port Stephens when the longtails are in the bay. If at the end of that period I feel the need for something bigger then I can choose between upgrading boat and car or getting a boat on a mooring.
Getting a mooring appeals but it’s another thing I don’t know much about so I’ll start a separate thread on that.
Cheers
That hilux will tow the boat you want mate as long as you add weight over the back wheels,have good tread on your tyres ,use the chock and know how to take off gently in a manual.I have a 4m+ tinny with the 30 mate and your hilux will do it like it’s not even there.With my hilux towing my boat out of the ramp it’s 2wd, first gear(manual) ,let out the clutch and don’t even need to accelerate.
I tow mine 99% of the time with my Kia cerato 6sp manual sometimes 2 hrs away up/down hills again like it’s not even there and never even spun a wheel at any ramp I use.
its 2nd gear and away i go.
Have a look around and you’ll be surprised what people are towing and what with as long as you’re sensible.
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Plan your launch/retrieval before you even get to the boat ramp to launch or when coming in.
Ask yourself questions like which way the currents and wind are going?what stage is the tide?How shallow is it?where will you tie off?Where is the end of the ramp?Use some of these things to your advantage.
Sometimes you can help yourself by doing simple things like jack knifing trailer on ramp so back of trailer faces towards any cross current or take a few wraps of bowline around winch post to slow boat down when launching.
Another great trick in high current,high wind launching/retrieval operations is having a long launch rope attached to front and rear of boat so you can control the back end from swinging on you with one hand most times.
Even simple things like lowering rear tyre pressures a bit will give your Ute more traction as you are only a stones throw from ramp and can pump them back up when finished.
Try to park where you can always maintain a visual on your boat and always take your keys too as there’s too many dead beats around especially at ramps.I came back to my boat one night to find a bloke sussing out my trailer and I gladly obliged to help him sleep the rest of the night.
As for your question I currently have my 4.2 tinny that will self launch if I let it)As soon as I take the winch strap off she’ll be off on her own if I didn’t hold the bowline) and retrieving it is a matter of backing trailer, putting bow on rear roller then winch and basically pulling it 3/4 way up the trailer by hand then winching.
In the early 90,s I had an old 17’ cruisecraft glass boat that was heavy and used the same methods.
I’m not a fan of drive on/off for several reasons even though i can and could before.
The key to launching any boat as I’m sure the others will agree is prior planning and making sure your trailer is set up and all rollers are turning freely.
Good luck mate and hopefully you have many great memories during the ownership of your new boat.
Ps. if the fishing is slow or non existent blame that bloody @Yowie He’s a pest!😂
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1 hour ago, Volitan said:
Hi. I’m thinking of buying a boat. I’m probably looking at something in the 15 to 18ft category. Preferably something I can launch and retrieve on my own if need be.
My current concern is my only car is a Toyota Hilux Workmate - manual cab chassis ute (ie 2 seater with an aluminium tray on the back). Anyone who’s driven one of these unladen will know they slide about a fair bit at the back - especially in the wet. I have concerns about how they will get traction on a steep, wet boat ramp too. We live near the Pretty Beach (Central Coast) boat ramp and it would be ideal to use that but it does look a bit steep and a bit neglected.
I don’t currently want to sell the Ute or buy another car. I bought it when owner-building our home and it’s been great - it has a lot more work to do though with landscaping and building our garage still to be done.
any advice? Anyone towed a boat with a cab chassis ute ?
cheers
Sorry mate, re-read your post.Disregard what I said about an Auto in your case.I have a dual cab hilux that will spin easy too if I’m not careful.My brother-in-law had a triton cab chassis manual Ive used to tow my boat only light at 550kg and his over 1300kg.With his boat both of us have used and use the chock behind the wheel method without issue.Tie a rope to chock and a loop in the other end that reaches the trailer coupling and drop it over it.
When you drive off the chock will follow you up the ramp.
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37 minutes ago, Volitan said:
Hi. I’m thinking of buying a boat. I’m probably looking at something in the 15 to 18ft category. Preferably something I can launch and retrieve on my own if need be.
My current concern is my only car is a Toyota Hilux Workmate - manual cab chassis ute (ie 2 seater with an aluminium tray on the back). Anyone who’s driven one of these unladen will know they slide about a fair bit at the back - especially in the wet. I have concerns about how they will get traction on a steep, wet boat ramp too. We live near the Pretty Beach (Central Coast) boat ramp and it would be ideal to use that but it does look a bit steep and a bit neglected.
I don’t currently want to sell the Ute or buy another car. I bought it when owner-building our home and it’s been great - it has a lot more work to do though with landscaping and building our garage still to be done.
any advice? Anyone towed a boat with a cab chassis ute ?
cheers
Easiest way buy a couple of bags of sand to throw on the tray over the centreline of your rear axle if you’re worried.If it’s Auto take off in second gear to reduce torque/wheel spin.If manual use chocks behind wheels and slowly ease out the clutch in first.Some times you can use second depending on gearing and weight of boat.
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6 hours ago, noelm said:
Because Lake Illawarra is so shallow, the water is pretty warm in lots of locations, crabs can be caught all year, but, they do thin out during the colder months (of course) but a decent feed can be had with a bit of work (like all fishing) My personal "observation" is during the high tide, crabs are right up on the shallow flats, as the tide drops, they tend to wander around the drop off area, then at low tide, they are in the deep sections, that is not hard and fast, just my thoughts after decades of crabbing in the lake. The tide in the Lake itself is not that dramatic in flow (except in the channel) and a falling tide, very early in the morning will see you get plenty during summer, but, like everything, you need to put in the effort, just turning up mid morning with a couple of traps and old bait will see you get a few, but an early morning and fresh bait (I find Whiting and Blackfish frames the best) will see you "upgrading" to bigger crabs .
You sound like the @Yowieof Windang Lake mate.Have it all worked out.Good stuff.I’d love to hear both of your stories from back in the day.
When I was 7yrs old in 1909……..😂😂.
Windang fish and crabs are safe when I’m there fishing mate.I can see the crabs sitting on the porch now drinking a cuppa and eating scones saying to each other…..look at that hopeless guy,there’s no way in hell he’s catching anything.😂😂
All in good fun mate.
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2 hours ago, noelm said:
Ramps are OK, water is pretty brown, but flushing out pretty well, fishing is slow, but there's a few around, crabbing should pick up soon too.
Cheers mate
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How’s the water ramp/water traffic during week at the moment guys?At least you had a crack mate.
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Been a busy boy.Just have to bolt outboard to plate and add a brace.The beauty is its completely removable.
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2 hours ago, zmk1962 said:
🤣 … what’s the saying- gotta be in it to win it.
Cruiser does just fine - 60kmh 2nd gear 4000rpm up mount Ousley, 105-110kmh on freeway … all good…. and I can still park it in the garage 👍
cheers Z
I’ll never win it then as I can never be bothered.What sort of garage do you have?Aircraft hanger?
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1 hour ago, Rebel said:
Super photos.
Top report.
Nice to see somebody else feeding the neighbours.
Well done.
If the neighbours relied on me they wouldn’t be eating.I blame that bloody Yowie.Great Report @Larkin.👍👍
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6 hours ago, zmk1962 said:
What @Fab1says is gold … there is nothing like personal experience to build a foundation of understanding and confidence. The quickest way to get your head around a combustion engine is to rebuild an old lawnmower - there’s plenty on gumtree - I did my first one at 8yo - my dad gave me the “project” - best thing ever. I even had to cut gaskets out of cardboard on that one. What a feeling when it roared to life and what a practical platform from which to understand other motors.
Once you have the basics, you’ll be able to better follow what a manual states or what experts advise. Today you are blessed with resources such as YouTube - man I wish this was available back in the day. One site you may want to subscribe to is the following - this is the web page but it has links to the YouTube content. If the link gets removed PM me.https://outboard.dangarmarine.com/guide?device=2
cheers Zoran
Great advice also as usual mate.
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On 10/17/2022 at 2:34 PM, Yowie said:
Well Zoran, it is bigger than Barry.
I can see a double row of trumpets on the roof in the 2nd photo - is that for sounding off to others that you have caught a fish?
You can go camping in that boat, it is big enough to have a small fireplace on board.
I can see a double row of trumpets on the roof in the 2nd photo - is that for sounding off to others that you have caught a fish?
I need those trumpets installed on my boat so I can blow them loudly to let you know your fish are getting caught.
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Can you share your secrets to the winning lotto numbers please?Asking for a friend.What a boat!!! congrats mate.All you need to do now is upgrade the cruiser to a road train to tow it as it looks like a child’s dinky next to it/
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On 10/19/2022 at 5:03 PM, Rebel said:
Hi All,
Arrived just after high tide, 6am.
Weather was great.
Brought two surf rods. Chasing Whiting & Bream.
Top beach. Don't see many people here fishing.
Caught four Whiting & two Bream. I was here for about two hours.
Whiting were 30 to 32 cms.
Bream were 34 to 35 Cms.
Let a lot of undersize go.
As you know I usally give my catch to the struggling neighbours.
Didn't want them. I think they were expecting Snapper or Blackfish as from the weeks before.
I gave them to my Mechanic, who helped me ou with my car a couple days ago. He was very happy.
Mono lines with suicide & long shank hookes
Bait. Australian cooked prawns & beach worms.
Cheers.
It would be the last time my neighbours got anything from me struggling or not.Good catch mate.
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2 hours ago, leonardgid said:
Hello everyone, when it comes to engine repairs my knowledge goes as far as changing oil and filters , and flushing , so im looking at doing a day course but at $400 dollars i have to ask if its money well spend or not ,My question is , is it possible to learn al of the basic service and repairs that they teach by online videos instead ? thank you al for your opinion
You’ve got buckley’s of learning everything there is to learn about outboards in a day.At most they’ll teach you the basics,thank you very much for investing $400 with them and please come again.
You’ll learn more from gathering some tools,getting yourself a good service manual for your particular outboard,asking knowledgeable people questions and most of all from actually doing things,physicallly doing things like dismantling things,putting them back together,working out how one component Marries with another,etc,etc.
I’m surrounded by trades people from different fields and I can tell you there’s tradespeople with decades of being a tradesman below their belt that ain’t worth a pinch of 💩.I know first year apprentices that will run rings around them and labourers without trades too.
It’s up to you what’s worth it or not.If you think tossing them $400 to basically tell you what anyone with half a mechanical brain already knows go ahead.If you really want to learn start by doing what I said and practicing as often as you can with your own boat,families,friends,etc.
cheers.
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17 minutes ago, frankS said:
In my opinion it is much cheaper to buy a package deal rather then buy seperate. Most 2nd hand motors worth buying are generally as much if not more than many package deals.
Small 12 foot tinnies are cheap but once you start getting into 14 foot and larger cheap boats are hard to find, Lots of cheapish fibreglass boats about with very old motors on them.
Frank
And less headaches usually.One persons cheap is another persons expensive.One thing pepper don’t realise is buying the boat is the easy bit..Being able to afford to run,service and maintain it is a whole other kettle of fish.
A bit like owning horses.Buying the horse is the cheap easy part..Ask me how I know.
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Looks like I’ll be kept busy for 10 minutes today my presents arrived..How shops survive these days is beyond me.Shop around people is all I can say.
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2 hours ago, Bluebenbomb said:
Only one.He’s keener than me.Well done Yowie.I enjoy my pillow and blanket way more than any fishing in this crap weather mate.
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1 hour ago, slowjigger said:
Does $2000 include a trailer and motor? You will have to worry about their condition as well.
just the boat , although to start with i will have t buy a used trailer in ok condition, and a used motor also.
I’m going blind.Missed it completely.
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I just re-read post and they mention they’d pay 2k for example for the boat.
I don’t know about all you but if I talk to someone about buying a boat I mean buying a boat,trailer,motor not just a hull.
This person wants a complete boat but we still don’t know how much they can afford as they used 2k as an example in original post.
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16 minutes ago, slowjigger said:
Yes, it seems a very odd approach compared to just buying a registered boat, motor and trailer, ie a going concern. Also, there is a better chance of getting a water test which will show up leaks and cracks more readily than a visual inspection.
That approach would be a no brainer for me.Either I’m going blind or I can’t see where they state they want to pay 2k for just the hull.Im sure it was for the whole boat.
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7 hours ago, jeffb5.8 said:
That is what i was trying to work out, originally, they said $2k as a budget guide and then mentioned that $2k was just for the boat and he would buy the trailer and motor separate
$2k for everything is going to make it a small tinny purchase, something like a 3.7mtr alloy, 9.9hp maybe a 15hp tiller steer with a basic trailer.
But if he has $2k for boat and another $2k for trailer and motor he jumps up a little to a 4 or 4.2mtr tinny and a 25 - 30hp tiller or an older forward steer.
Like I said 2k buys bugger all from what I’ve seen.
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58 minutes ago, slowjigger said:
A windscreen usually means forward controls. It makes for a very hard ride sitting up forward on a small tinnie - as well as making it hard to fit an electric motor. I would be sticking to tiller control for a small tinnie.
PS: how do plan on getting the boat home if you are going to buy the trailer separately (buying the trailer first will limit your choice of boat)? It would also generally save a lot of running around to buy a BMT as a package.
Read the post he wants the lot for 2k.Boat,motor,trailer.As for small Tinnys sitting up front or standing mine slices through chop like butter.Don’t know if it’s because it has about 300kg of weight up front or what.😂😂
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2 hours ago, jeffb5.8 said:
Hi
whats your total budget if you thinking of paying $2k just for a boat, the trailer will be probably another $1k and depending on motor age / condition another $3k
It’s 2k budget for the lot mate they want.You don’t get much for that from what I’ve seen.
Trim / Tilt Switch on Throttle Controller replacement
in Boating
Posted
I’d look at aftermarket one if you haven’t already.