zmk1962

Yep Haines built them pretty solid - we found it's 3/4" fibreglass a the bow when we had the toilet plumbed. I try to keep Barrycuda in good nick - but he has his battle scars which don't show in photos. I can see a lot of similarity in the 2250's lines to the 635. 100% agree about boating during the week - so much less stress. I'll keep an ear out for chatter from SY321. BTW, I've sent you a PM regarding my calcs and thoughts on fuel consumption - welcome your thoughts ! Second Grady ! Nice- congrats mate. Without a doubt the Grady's are in a different league to the Haines - they are purpose built game boats built to go wide where as I feel my Haines is built to handle the occasional wide outing. Cheers Zoran

... I was just going to ask what bait you use at the Supermarket .... never heard of that waterway system (is it fresh or salt?)... so I am all curious. Cheers Z

Hey Jim. I haven’t made tortillas but my offsider (Maria) makes many styles of breads, flatbreads, naans, lepinje etc. We like our food ! If you have a good tortilla recipe please share. love the nachos!! cheers Z

Gotta stay positive and within the rules ... makes it easier when you just get along as well ! Cheers Z

Hey Raiders, This may not be everyone's cup of tea but in recent overseas trips Maria and I have developed a real taste for Fish Tacos and thought I'd share here how we go about reproducing this meal. It's definitely more street food than @kingie chaser's home fine dining .... but we keep coming back to it as a favourite .... infact just had a meal now ! Ingredients: 1 boneless fish fillets (blue eye, flattie etc) chopped into bite size pieces 2 prep Red and White cabbage coleslaw 3 Chipotle Mayo 4 Pico de Galo - chopped tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper, salt, lime juice, coriander, olive oil 5 medium size tortilla's Method: 1 roll fish pieces through flour/salt/white pepper mixture 2 fry the fish pieces till golden (I add a clove of garlic to the oil) 3 heat the tortillas in a pan till they start to bubble/char 4 assemble tacos, squeeze some extra lime juice on top and ENJOY !!!! Cheers Zoran

Thanks Yowie .... yup have provisioned good tucker for a while - so now we a free to experiment with other styles of fishing and target species. No pressure to bring a feed home ! Hmmmm ... KC gave an insight into why .... but I prefer to catch my own just like you I'm sure Thanks Jim. You have to keep looking for the positives - the alternative is rather depressing ! Cheers Z

Thanks... drifting and line direction - it's just one of those things you have to accept fishing - wind - waves - tides - a high sided boat - outboard leg in water - anyway eventually the boat settles into a somewhat steady direction - it's never bothered M in the past - but it was GREAT for me to try the other side of the boat hahaha! Occy - kept it simple - crushed garlic, olive oil, chopped parsley, white fine ground pepper, chilli flakes, himalayan pink salt - left it to marinate. Some of the thicker bits can be chewy but I don't mind when they are fresh like this especially when they accompany a soft flesh fish like the jacket - adds texture. Lemon - OF COURSE ! ... a side of string beans and greens and some air-fried chippies, with a bottle of Serafino Shiraz .... Friday feast ! Couldn't agree more. I have not purchased fish for home consumption for way over a decade. If we don't catch it we don't eat fish at home. Added bonus - it adds a lot of focus to our fishing and makes you appreciate every fish you harvest !!!! Thanks Neil. It was an unusual request from M - she knows drifts change - to her defence she didn't sleep the night before for some reason - so everything felt a bit off for her the whole day but she stuck it out to stumps. So can't complain AND now there is now an added incentive to head out together again - even the score so to speak! Thanks Sam .... great to get out, obey all the rules and have a great day. Yes the rivalry hahaha - it's all in good fun - I have at least two of everything - identical sets of gear - so there is no unfair advantage just skill on the day (lets say LUCK ON THE DAY!) BUT, I do have to say that rivalry just covers the fishing - I'm still the solo captain, crew, driver, parker, anchorer, navigator ... in addition to my fishing duties ! Thanks Rebel ! Thanks Mate .... yes was an awesome day - great to breathe some fresh salt air ! Cheers Z

Hey Raiders, After observing lockdown procedures from the start we were running very low on our fish stock so Maria and I decided to head out for a food gathering exercise at our favourite flathead grounds off Barrenjoey. Weather forecast looked great for a morning session on Thursday 23.04.20 with 9-10kts winds up to 9 am then pretty much dead calm on 0.6m seas. Earlier in the week I had to top up the landcruiser so I hitched the boat on the back and topped it up as part of the same trip - so boat was ready. Also, I had bait left over from the earlier Brown's mountain trip (salted pilchards and squid) and my usual stash of SP's so no extra bait trip required We were at Parsley Bay ramp just on 6.15am, only one boat with two oldtimers infront of us - they were still prepping their boat when M and I had ours in the water and were parking the car. Three other boats turned up in no time - everyone was friendly but kept their social distance. Raced straight out and were on the 40m mark at around 7am. Rigged 2 hook paternoster rigs, with a berkley powerbait minnow 10cm on top hook, half pillie or squid on bottom hook, and a bottom bouncing sinker jig (search workshop forum - Bottom Bouncing) at the sinker. First two drifts on the mark produced juvenile blue spot, then I hit a solid 55cm bluespot model on the SP. Dropped the anchor and swung around for 20min - more juveniles. Upped anchor - drifted for M to land another 50+cm bluespot on the SP then juveniles again. Decided to head out to 50m grounds. By this time M did something very unusual (remember she usually out-fishes me and gets the oddball fish) - she wasn't happy with her side of the boat - said the line was drifting under the boat and wanted to swap sides. Being the gentleman - I agreed. Anyway, 50m ground, her rod bends, solid hook up, bit off line peels of drag and then dead wait - and she brings up a decent octopus - there's the oddball. Hmmm. In the meantime I've landed a double hook up of two solid jackets - well glad they were in the boat but oh dear not jackets again. Then M boats a jacket and I bring another two onboard in quick succession (one being a horse) .. we call it quits on the 50m grounds. No loss of gear and 5 jackets in the boat - no point in testing fate any further. Score so far, M 1 flattie, 1 occy and 1 jacket, Z 1 flattie and 4 jackets. So we decide to go back to the 40m mark and focus on long drifts - keeping to our "new sides of the boat" as M previously requested. At 40m grounds, we made many repeated drifts, and bagged another 15 bluespot flatties between 45 and 59cm. I also landed an occy. So final count for the day: M 2 flatties, 1 occy and 1 jacket, Z 15 flatties, 1 occy and 4 jackets. Note: All the bigger flatties were hooked on either the SP or the bottom bouncing jig ! End result 5.25kg of clean fillets/seafood - so our food gathering exercise was a success. Being the gentleman, I thanked Maria for the use of her side of the boat (bahahaha) and offered to cook dinner Friday night ... also great to get some back on the jackets ! Tight lines amigos. Cheers Zoran

7m ... hmmm... is the craft a bowrider, center console or cabin cruiser? All would have different implications on ability to meet 1.5m social distancing requirement. Honestly guys, I think you are trying to read too much into this - maybe to satisfy a particular scenario you have in mind. The MRSS letter (like the other official communication) states in bold "physical distancing rules apply at all times" .... including at the boat ramp and "on your boat". This is the rule. The sub bullet that talks about being alone or with no more than one person ... still has to abide by that first bold statement - the rule - it is just trying to give you some insight into the implementation. Realistically, the wording will never be able to cater to all scenarios - but you understand the intent - implement social distancing. It is also basically what I wrote in my first post on this topic. Anyway, That's the last I have to say on this topic as well. We have abused @the skipper's topic enough. If you want to debate this further I suggest you move it to its own topic. It is very clear to me what the intent is and what is required to be compliant. Cheers Z

Most sounders will show a gravel / mud / sand bottom as a thicker line, and hard ground as a thin line. It comes down to absorption of the sounder ping signal. The more that is absorbed (soft bottom) the thicker the echo shadow, the more that is reflected back (hard ground) the thinner the line. Cheers Zoran

Great addition to this topic. Thanks @dunc333! My original 220L marine alloy tank lasted 21yrs before it got the cheesecloth perforations that rendered it unfixable. I installed the replacement 250L tank in 2013. The tank sits in a fibreglass well, no electrolysis or galvanic corrosion, but does get occasional salt and fresh water seeping around it. You just have to stay vigilant and then choose the repair method that best suits - replace, repair etc. BOAT - bring out another thousand! Cheers Zoran

Hull 1992, I purchased the rig in 1996, installed the 200 EFI Merc new in 1999. Thanks for comment re boat - its in a different league to yours but does everything I ask of it. Yes, hardtop is custom - It's made a huge difference to comfort and seaworthiness. I am semi retired so weekdays are the go for me unless I can't raise a crew then its weekends. I'm seriously considering a 4st upgrade now (Maria has already said yes) ... if I do that my sums are saying I'll have nearly 2x range so would be great to tag along, until then Brown's is my firm limit ... will definitely PM before my next sesh out wide. Thanks. When out I sit on VHF 16, BARRYCUDA or SY404 (Sierra Yankee 404) .. that's me ! Cheers Z

Mate. You more than delivered on that request- Uber Welster! hoping for some action tomorrow. cheers Z

Mate. That’s a great catch and knowing you I’m sure you followed covid protocol. Why the hesitation? Maria and I are packed for a flattie food sesh tomorrow. cheers Z

😳 freakin fabulous fish ! Congrats cheers Zoran

so am I mate ... "as long as people follow all other advice in relation to social distancing and gatherings of two or more people." ... which means if you don't live together keep 1.5m apart. Thats why there is no footy, boxing, wrestling, ... no contact sports....

... because you can have 2 people gathered 1.5m apart ...it happens at the supermarket register, at the post office, at bunnings, at the chemist ..... 2 people gathering does not mean 2 people "hugging", "wrestling", "dancing" etc... .. many ways to look at it ... but i think it falls into essential services ... makes me want to take my hat off to the "essential service workers" who have NO CHOICE but to get close - to do their job .... we on the other hand all have a choice.. ... imagine the copper going home at night to his wife and kids and wondering if he brought the bl**dy virus home ... They know they a re not superhuman .... you can choose to view them as privileged or just as people on the front line. Again - your choice. Cheers Z

I think most of us got the DPI newsletter - it was also posted by @kingie chaser in another topic: The news letter is crystal clear - "NSW Police advised that recreational fishing is permitted, as long as people follow all other advice in relation to social distancing and gatherings of two or more people." So fishing as an exercise does NOT override any social distancing requirements. Infact just look at any of the other exercise sports that have been stopped - eg any contact sport - NRL etc. Exercise itself does NOT allow you to override the social distancing measures. The message is if you can implement social distancing within the sport then you are compliant. Two people that do NOT co-habitate must keep 1.5m apart. There are many types of fishing where this is not an issue - eg beach, rock, spear fishing etc... as long as you don't use the same transport to get there ! Similarly, my wife and I live and sleep together. We are ok to fish alongside anywhere or in any size vessel - but If I wanted to go out with my mate I'd better have a vessel large enough to ensure 1.5m distance and we'd better not arrive in the same car. At the boat ramp, carpark, servo - implement social distancing. To me its pretty clear. Cheers Zoran

Oh man! When it rains it pours - you’ve been through the wars mate. As Yowie said - lots of memories will remain (you will never forget that loose wire!) I feel it’s these stories and experiences that enrich our lives - you can definitely say “I have lived”. BTW awesome comeback with that catch. And congrats on the garden and home renos. Looking good. Cheers Zoran

Yup... Thats NOT the stuff I used. Thats the kit with fibreglass cloth and epoxy. Cheers Z

Mate, it helps if you post the link where you copied that information from. Permatex offers two solutions, one is the epoxy putty stick (that I used), the other is a kit which comprises of fibreglass cloth, and the permatex epoxy that you paint over it. So I am not sure if you are referencing the data for the kit or the stick. Here is what is listed for the epoxy stick: Product Details Permatex Fuel Tank Repair is a new, industrial strength formulation that is highly resistant to ethanol that is found in many fuel types. Use to make permanent repairs on fuel tanks and gas cans. No tank removal required. Instructions: 1. To achieve optimum adhesion, clean grease or dirt off surfaces to be repaired. 2. Wearing gloves twist or cut off required amount. 3. Mix by kneading epoxy stick to a uniform color. If mixing is difficult, warm epoxy stick to room temperature or slightly above. 4. Apply to the repair surface within 30 minutes of mixing, forcing into any cracks or holes to be filled. Remove excess material with a tool moistened with clean water before hardening begins. NOTE: When applying to a damp, wet or slowly leaking area, work the mixed epoxy into the surface and apply pressure until adhesion begins to take effect. Fuel Tank Repair epoxy sets in 1 hour, can be machined in 5 hours, and fully cures in 24 hours. Does not adhere to polyethylene or polypropylene plastics. This material is not intended for structural bonding. https://www.autobarn.com.au/permatex-fuel-tank-repair-stick And at the Permatex site as well: No reference to any restriction to just automobile use. https://www.permatex.com/products/specialized-maintenance-repair/radiator-tank-repair/permatex-fuel-tank-repair/ Cheers Z

Thanks @kingfishbig. Floor comes up pretty easy (its half a dozen stainless screws). Handling or even transporting a metal fuel tank that measures 2300x545x195mm is not easy especially when it is still full of fuel. Further up in the post I have pretty well explained the reason why I did not go down the weld repair path. The product I used was specifically designed and sold for permanent metal fuel tank repairs - it is not like the metal epoxy you may be familiar with - the Permatex fuel tank repair bonds to metal still wet with gasoline/fuel. It's sold as a permanent fix - not a temporary measure. I posted details here so that other's may be aware of this option in case they have a similar issue. However, if you have had specific experience where this product has failed then please share - my neighbour has used it on his farm and only had positive things to say - but if you know of other experiences please tell. Otherwise we each have to make up our own mind as to how best make repair with the options we have at hand. Cheers Zoran

Haines Hunter 635L. White with red and ally pod. Ok WPH very close. I’m in Castle Hill and walk past a similar boat to yours in Glenhaven. cheers Z

Excellent report and photos- well done. cheers Zoran

That’s a thumper tailor - would have pulled like a freight train ! great report. cheers Zoran