ETTY

Hey Noah, There are some good ramps around the Port but the one closest to offshore would be the one at Tonkin Park, Cronulla - ajacent to Cronulla Marina. Look up street diretory for more as there are many up and down the river. As for spots check the latest reports - the Hacking's going off!!!!!! Spots such as Lilli Pilli and South West Arm will be good for this weekend! Enjoy and Good Luck fishing a beautiful river

Searching the web this evening I found this.... FROM: YAMAHA MOTOR AUSTRALIA (http://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/marine/index.htm?marine.asp) DATE: 19-Feb-2007 Yamaha claims First 4 Stroke V8 Outboard and Highest Outboard Power Output as F350 Launched. Yamaha Motor Co has taken the wraps off their new Four Stroke model, the "F350” at the 2007 Miami Boat Show. The new four-stroke model “F350” is the first production outboard motor utilising a V8 engine and also delivers the world's highest power output at 350 horsepower, rated at the prop. The new Yamaha F350 is the first four stroke outboard motor to utilise a V8 powerhead. With a displacement of 5,330 cm3, this model delivers a maximum power output of 257.4 kW (350 hp) at the prop shaft, which is the highest horsepower rating for an outboard motor in the world today. Can't believe it!!!!!!! I bet it sounds great!!!!! 5.3lt V8 mmmmmmmmm Watch out 's

I'm about to embark on my first fish in Bate Bay with my Baitrunner in a few weeks and having never fished for this species before or the area I don't know what lures to use on them (pelagics)??? Does anyone have some suggestions on brands, shapes, sizes and colours to use on a BR 3500B. Thanks in advance for any help!!!! Elliot

Hey Raider's, I have noticed recently the increase in popularity of "wetsuit" material outboard covers used when boats are operating (i.e. not in storage). Being a person that wears wetsuits I was wondering does the engine keep at normal operating temp and not sweat - as weatsuit material is a good insulator or does it magically work? Do any outboard manufacturers recommend them or condone them? And why do people use them when their engine already has a cover?????? Cheers Elliot

Not being an expert either! Some people I've heard have had similar problems (like you suggested) with themostats being faulty which only allows the engine to run at idle to prevent engine being damaged due to overheating - which makes sense when you stop the engine cools then works fine but when it heats up when you've gotton going it malfunctions and runs at idle. I think your on the money with that one but take it back to the dealer/mechanic and he'll be able to diagnose the problem. Good Luck Elliot

Hi Raider's, Sorry for the next 2 dumb questions! I am about to embark on my most expensve fishing purchase in the next week a Shimano 3500 BR with 7" Silstick Crystal Blue 6 - 8kg rod and having never used a baitrunner before, I was wondering if any body could explain how one is fished (I understand the principle of it but I don't get how to do it in practice)??? I will be fishing Bate Bay and was wondering what bait/lures to use - I will like to target the pelagic species so I'll be mostly trolling with the occasional cast??? Thanks for any help Elliot

Although slightly more expensive an inflatable boat could be an option. Having a 13ft Quicksilver with 15hp Johnson and like you operating in the Port Hacking, I couldn't be more happier with the performance and most of all the stability which is a must when fishing. Proven as a Surf Rescue boat so no worries with the breakers in the bay and abosolutly flies when the water is like a mill pond - she's an allrouder As mentioned above inflatable's are usually more expensive than traditional hull materials but they require less power therefore saving more money on a lower power option! Take away the conception they're a tender and need to be inflated all the time and before/after use. Bigger ones like mine are great on skid trailers and the ones with rigid hulls have deep v hull performance with the stability of an inflatable. Sorry for pouring my heart out but I'm a passionate inflatable man!!!!!!! Good Luck with the choices - there are soooo many!!!!!!!

Hi and Merry Christmas to all Raiders, I was wondering about some fishing spots in Bate Bay targeting some of the heavier fish (kingies, tuna etc) hopefully using a new Shimano Charter Special I will get from a gift voucher I got for Christmas. What other species could be caught in the area? Could anybody tell me some spots where bottom bashing and lure trolling could be done? Also what baits & lures would you suggest for fishing the area. Thanks in advance & have a great New Year. Cheers Elliot

Thats one seriously MAD boat I personally love (including from the rest of the boat) the deep v hull - should make it good for outside in all conditions and the powerplant on the back. Congratulations on the boat I'm sure you have some pretty fantastic voyages on it chasing some serious fish. Enjoy!!!!

I think the security has improved on eBay as more and more people are using it for normal everyday purchases. There is a whole section in the "Help" tab on transactions, security and other topics I'm sure you'll want to look at. I rekon you will be sweet and you'll probably end up buying more and more of you boating stuff on eBay like many other people have done as the price is so much better!!!! Good Luck

A recent test of the Evinrude E-TEC 115hp and the Yamaha 4 Stroke 115hp has resulted in Yamaha in releasing a statement on the validity of BRP 's (Bombadier Recreational Products - owner of Evinrude) test. Although not knowing enough on the actual test itself I have found the statement interesting. Has Evinrude outsmarted the 4 Stroke market with the engine efficency advances and the statement from Yamaha Motor Corp. a shot at BRP as Yamaha have been beaten at their game and to avoid utter embarrassment they released this statement or was the test unfairly run (I am interested in how this could be done both technically and legally)? Heres the statement so you can make your own mind up. I'd like to hear what your opinion on the issue is! STATEMENT FROM YAMAHA-MOTOR re: BRP E-TEC vs 4-STROKE TECHNOLOGY “TEST” DATE: 11-Dec-2006 A recent media conference hosted by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) involved a demonstration of an Evinrude E-TEC 115hp model and a Yamaha Four Stroke 115hp fitted a Haines Hunter hull as a twin rig installation. Under the BRP controlled demonstration, BRP sought to highlight the superiority of E-TEC technology over and above that of 4 stroke outboard technology and Yamaha in particular. While the Yamaha product was used for the test, Yamaha was not consulted nor did the company have any involvement whatsoever in the rigging or set up of the Yamaha F115 engine. Yamaha-Motor challenges BRP's sincerity in this test before the media. If BRP is truly committed to demonstrating the alleged superior performance of their E-TEC technology over 4 stroke outboards, then they could have selected their own Bombardier manufactured Johnson 115hp 4 stroke outboard for the test. Both outboards are BRP products and both are rated at 115hp. Perhaps then, the results might have been much more plausible? On the one hand BRP is denigrating across the board, all four stroke technology. Yet BRP sells the Johnson line of 4 stroke outboards across 16 separate horsepower brackets from 2.5hp to 225hp. These engines are sold in the Australian market by BRP appointed and authorised dealers. What message is BRP telegraphing to their Johnson customers in Australia who have bought or about to take delivery of the BRP Johnson four stroke outboards? We also understand BRP has distributed test data on boats presented to the press on the media day… with the exception of the twin rig. We at Yamaha find it very interesting that BRP are prepared to present this type of activity to the press but then don"t back up the exercise with factual information. We would like to see this data as presented by BRP and are left wondering why they choose not to make this information public. Taken from: http://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/hot_news/in...news_detail.asp (14/12/2006)

People always go crabbing in the Parramatta River and I've never heard or read anything about crabbing restrictions in Middle Harbour. So I think it's a green light. Good Luck ETTY

Hey Raiders, Sorry for probably a very dumb question but I have always fished lighter gear and was interested in the heavier stuff for targetting jewies, kingfish, tuna's etc. I was wondering what sort of lines, rods and overhead reels you would use to target the 10 - 25 kg range. (Brands and Models please!!!) And how would you fish them - trolling, just casting or downriggers or any other technique. What sort of price would you get for a quality and decent combo but not to xxxy (i.e. <$350). Again sorry for the ignorance!!!! Thanks members for providing such valuable info in all aspects of the site. Cheers ETTY

Just interested on what feedback/reviews you've gotton on the E-TEC 75 & 90hp models as I have always had them as a first preference as a my next outboard. Thanks ETTY

I'm not 100% sure why your boat is struggling because I think the engine is adequate for the size, but have you tried fiddling with the trim as this can change the performance of a boat considerably. Also are you carrying unessasry weight - it may seem obvious but when you think about it some of the junk you end up carrying does weigh something????

Thats Tops!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine the noise from the 8 x 250hp engines at WOT!!!!!!!!!

Hey Raiders, Just looking out from my verandah and noticed at the enterance to Port Hacking just out from Jibbon Head there is a a lot of foamy looking stuff in the water stretching about 50 metres across to Cronulla. Just wondering if any raiders knew what it is or what/who caused from as it is something I've never seen in the Port Hacking before?? Cheers Etty

NICE THATS AWESOME

Dunno about the Garmin but Humminbird make some cheapish sounders that are desent (i've heard)

Hey 1975, I agree with Blood Knot. Done a bit of searching and I have found that it's quite a strong rod and should be good for probably all types of bait fishing and occasionally the odd lure when the fish are goin off. Good Luck & Enjoy

Hey, Not too sure but I have heard that Tom Ugly's bridge is good but there is a tackle bait shop nearby and they might be able to tell you where they are biting. Hope you get some Etty

Hey Boater's I was just looking at Fishfinder/Depth Sounder prices and was very shocked at how expensive they were. I was wondering what other people used and how much you should expect to pay for a quality unit. I have always regarded Raymarine as a very top quality brand but they are so expensive! Any feedback on good brands or one's to avoid (+price ranges) would be great. Thanks Etty

Thanks for clearing it up as I believe they are truly revolutionary engines and for a corrosion problem to let them down would be devistating to their mechanical engineering. Thanks ETTY

Thanks heaps everyone I'll give them a bash next weekend!

I go past Brighton every morning and there always seems to be some school of fish going crazy just a few metres off the beach so try their and also I have heard the entrance to the Cooks River is good.