garfield28

May 19, 2020

G'day Raiders,

Just wondering if anyone could give a ballpark figure on what new Transom and stringers would roughly cost to DIY as against paying a pro?

Anyone who has recently done one and can just let me know what I'd be looking at roughly, much appreciated.

Thanks

Geoff

March 16, 2020

19 hours ago, rickmarlin62 said:

Good report mate the bar wasnt big it was just long and constant i went early but 15 boats went before me i chose goin right after the wall and punched probably 15 waves to get clear when i looked back i had 6 boats followin me comin in was flat i checked jail ramp before daylight but there was no water there it was shallow i mean 6 inches so the bar was only option sorry i didnt see you out there would have been good to say gidday after corona is gone we need to organise some group days at bay central coast n sydney hope we get some interest

Yeah would have been good Rick.

The meet up sounds good too.

7 hours ago, New Signing said:

No shame in giving it a miss if you aren't confident mate.

Maybe try a couple of easier bar crossings before you attack SWR again

Nah no shame but it's a long way to drive thinking you'll Cross's it but turns out you cannot.

2 hours ago, PaddyT said:

Good on you for 'fessing up your story but I think you need a rethink for next time-not wanting to be too critical but you broke a few cardinal rules from your comments-but please feel free to correct me if i get any facts wrong.

1. you didnt go and watch the bar from the rock wall for an hour or so at the same stage of the tide you wanted to cross

2. Marine Rescue will rarely if ever give you anything other than "generic"" advice eg-go when you can see, stick to the deeper water etc because they could get into all sorts of legal problems by giving "Go-No GO"" advice. You are better off talking to a few locals who are experienced at that particular bar

3. you let someone who has no bar crossing experience take your boat over a bar!-I just think thats a no-no-over exuberance and excess testosterone are no substitute for experience.

Anyway-you got away with it and learnt a few lessons- best of luck for next time BTW did you get spots or spanish macks?

Yeah could have did that but I could see the waves etc from where I was in the boat also.

As for giving someone else the wheel with no experience, it would have been no different if it were me as I have no experience either. The difference is I froze and couldn't do it and it may have been a problem mid bar if I had kept going and attempted to cross it myself.

No Spanish mate either ☹️

March 15, 2020

Just want anyone else that reads this thread by coming across it in a search that the bar is everything that has been stated here in this thread.

After speaking with the local Marine rescue it was advised to me that I do not launch at my original desired time of 5ish am but instead launch when there was daylight so I could sit back and look at the bar and try and read it a bit before attempting to cross it.

So I launched at 7am there was plenty of daylight and it was roughly half an hour after low tide. I sat back and watched and thought I'd seen enough of the waves breaking and the direction I needed to go. I saw a few boats go out and stopped one who said the bar wasn't too bad today (yesterday) and stated it was fairly tame at that time. He gave me some advice on how to cross it and explained the lights that direct you back in when I returned. I watched him go through and saw his boat point upwards a few times going over the waves, It freaked me out a bit but thought I'd now go across. I started to head towards it and as I approached the first couple of waves I went to jelly I couldn't do it, I turned around and started to head back to the ramp, I was bloody sh@tting myself! It was just one wave after another, after another. I freaked out and just couldn't do it. In the end a mate and young fella passenger I had in the boat who does have boating experience but had never crossed a bar stuck his hand up to have a crack because he was keen as mustard to get out and fish. He did it and he did it well on the advice that a boater from the area had given us earlier, and just when we thought we were through it 2 more waves really stood up in front of us and it was bloody hairy, I really paniced. The young fella did well, he said he was a little worried but you know these young blokes they think they're bullet proof and don't think of what happens if things go wrong.

Bottom line is it was super, super scary and it wasn't even anywhere near its worst or even bad so the locals were saying yesterday, and it froze me. I totally respect what everyone said on this thread and it still didn't prepare me for how scared I was when I started to go across it. If I had to drive over it yesterday I would have drove to SWR for nothing because I couldn't do it. It's scary scary stuff.

March 14, 2020

I sent you a pm Rick. Asking if ya did any good.

We got 2 small macs mate. We saw a few decent bust ups but bait was real hard to find and we trolled livies and lures for what felt like forever for nothing mate. I stayed up there Friday night so expensive little trip for nothing... Could have fished home for a feed also. Oh well enjoyed the trip with my son and a mate.

March 9, 2020

10 hours ago, dirvin21 said:

The SWR bar was looking pretty bad last weekend, on the runout tide, there's a beach ramp at scotts head as an alternative

Supposed to be decent conditions this Saturday if it stays that way... I'll have a look at the Scott's head option.

Thanks

3 hours ago, Peter Nelson said:

Hi mate

Like Rick said be carefull on run out tides. You get pressure waves popping up out of no where and a hard to read.

I've launched back creeks a few times and has it's challenges depending if it's been dredged, tide times etc., you may have to punch through some waves.

If you do go up and have a chance, walk out to the end of the wall atbthe river(bar) and watch how the tide and waves react and where the boats go out, mostly you go out on the south wall, better then trying to figure it out in the morning.

Thanks Pete.

I won't have the time to have a look as I'd be getting up there late Friday night.. and as luck would have it Saturday morning early is a run out tide so looks like I need another area to launch from.

1 hour ago, Scratchie said:

I wouldn’t even bother trying SWR bar if you’ve never been there before. It can be dangerous at the best of times and is a long bar. If you don’t have the experience, go with someone that does first!
I’d try somewhere like crowdy first and try trolling livies around the fads.

cheers scratchie!!!

What are you up to Friday night/ Saturday morning Jeff? Hahaha Any Spanish or spotties been caught at Crowdy head mate?

19 minutes ago, frankS said:

Geoff. As Scratchie said the bar is not just a couple of wave breaks, it goes on and on for about 200 metres or more with washing machine waves which are very hard to pick. You need to study the path for a while from shore and then from boat before you GO . Coming back in is the dangerous time. It can be scary . At times it will be mild enough for a beginner to safely negotiate but those times are rare. The creek crossing has a right angle twist to it and is like a beach launch where you have to cross a couple of steep waves, not what you need on your first trip there. Once you get out the fishing is great, but there are safer places.

I could tell you a few stories of my adventures there some great and some not so great. I love the place but I have had 50 years of crossing bars.

If you had a few days to study the area and get used to it you would be fine once you done it a few times. You have to start somewhere so try a few easier bar crossings before you try to tackle one of the worst.

Frank

Cheers Frank. You know any places more south that are safe to launch and get out where I can catch the target species? I'll go to another location but really wanna try and have a crack at the Spanish

March 9, 2020

Cheers Rick.

Swell is looking ok at the moment for Saturday but the low tide is at 6 am-ish which is around the time I'd be heading out I guess. I'm not the most experienced boater and I'm pretty worried about it.

March 9, 2020

G'day all,

I am hoping to get up to South West Rocks on the weekend and just looking for some info on the Bar crossing and other alternatives please.

I've heard the Bar crossing at SWR is pretty dangerous and has claimed lives in the past. I have never ever been there before and I don't know if it is safe for a 5.2 metre Savage boat to cross at all, or at any particular time. I have been trying to search up info and cannot find a great deal, and some people have suggested other ramps like the back creek and Goal but some seem to think that they are dangerous also, and can only really be used at certain times. If anyone could please give me some info as if it is too dangerous I will give it a miss. I wanted to get up there this weekend and chase some Spanish and Spotted Mackerel.

If SWR is best avoided, can anyone please suggest a safer area where I may still tangle with a few Spanyards or Spotties please. I've heard Spotties can be caught at Forster too which would be a lot closer to home, but I'm not 100% convinced or know much about when is roughly the best time/month to get them etc.

Any info would be really appreciated,

Thanks

Geoff

March 4, 2020

Thanks for the replies everyone but sorted it out.

Turns out it was a bad relay, and when I swapped over the one that was working and when I put it back on and it wasn't was due to me disconnecting wires from both switches as I pulled the relays out. I pulled the below guard part off so I could suss out for loose wires as suggested by Sigma and Frank and discovered that I had accidentally disconnected the both of them.

Thanks again for those who replied.

Geoff

March 4, 2020

2 hours ago, Sigma said:

It appears that you have a problem like I had.

It's an issue with the wiring. There's a blue wire that goes from your relay and what you should try is moving it whilst you press th UP button. If it starts working, its the wire. It could be corroded or have a loose connection. Try spraying all the contacts with INOX. it might help.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks Sigma. I started reading your thread today but am not all the way through it yet. I'll give that a go when I get home from work mate, thank you.

2 hours ago, frankS said:

Geoff. I'm with Sigma on this one. Either that or check for oil leaks around tilt unit and on ground where you park boat and check oil level in reservoir .

Frank

Hi Frank, cheers mate I'll have a look when I get home mate. Frank wouldn't it still make a noise in that the motor will want to operate but can't because of the oil? I press the button mate and there is absolutely nothing and the strange thing is how when I swapped over the relay the one that was actually working before I switched isn't working at all now.

March 3, 2020

Thanks for that I'll have a sicky.

March 3, 2020

HI all,

Looking for answers with a tilt and trim issue.

The other day I was out with my son fishing and I noticed that my tilt up was working but I was a little intermediately, I'd press the up button on my outboard throttle and it wouldn't go up straight away, I'd have to press/tap it a few times. By the time I got back to the ramp it wasn't working at all via the forward control and even on the outboard switch on the side. The whole time though the tilt down was working perfectly normal. When I got home and washed the boat I decided to check if it was the relay that was the issue so I swapped over the relay that was working with the one that wasn't and it didn't still work, but the weird thing is as soon as I put the relay that was working back on it was now not working! Thinking maybe it was on its way out too I bought a brand new one today and put it on and it still isn't working.

Could someone please tell me if there is a fuse for this part somewhere? I do notice however that when I press on the button even before, it is making a clicking noise which I assume is the circuit opening but it is just dead with no movement almost like when a car has a flat battery, it makes that clicking noise but there's nothing. When I turn the button to start the outboard there is no dramas at all, I'm really perplexed with this one.

Any help would be much appreciated as I really want to get it sorted so I can hit the water again this weekend.

Thanks

Geoff

February 26, 2020

Hi all,

Just wondering if any of you members have a new Mercury 75HP 4 stroke, and if so give some feedback on them please. I am close to purchasing a new boat and it has a Merc 4 stroke so would just like to know how they perform and what they are like with fuel economy etc. It would be pushing a 484 Alloy Side Console.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

Geoff

January 30, 2020

Thanks for that mate. If it has a self draining deck, does that mean it has scruppers on the back? As I don't remember seeing those on the one I was looking at.

Thanks

January 28, 2020

36 minutes ago, sydney south said:

I personally would go the Top Ender.

Bigger boat with more add-ons.

Also, you do not need to wear a life jacket, when in calm waters.

Cheers Sydney South. Would those add ons only be for newer boats? The one I'm looking at is a 2015 model and as far as I know it hasn't got the big kill tank under the casting deck either.

January 28, 2020

Cheers Baz.

Yeah I'm thinking the new outboard is good and it comes with some warranty too, but think I might go the bigger of the 2 boats which is the Top-Ender. Along with the bit of extra length I'll get some items I'd otherwise have to buy like VHF radio, sounder, Bimini, ladder, some life jackets etc. I'll still have to add a bit like a UHF radio, an electric motor, steep system to mention a few.

January 28, 2020

Cheers Baz.

I have the 2 to choose from at present so not sure if the specs change but the Top-Ender I'm looking at is a 2015 model and the Renegade is a 2019 model.

January 27, 2020

Hi all,

Just a quick one.

Does the Top-Ender and the renegades have the same hull? Just wonder what the main difference is between the 2?

Thanks

Geoff

January 27, 2020

Have 2 boats at present that I am stuck which one would be best.

I can get a 2019 demo model 460 renegade with a 75hp ETEC that has 20 hours for 25kbut it is unpainted,so not sure if that is a good thing or not. Has nothing special other than it has a offshore washwell.

I have also been looking at a 2015 Quintrex 481 Top-ender with a 2015 ETEC that has 30 hours on it that the guy wants 27k for. It also has the offshore washwell.

Which way would you guys go?

Thanks

January 13, 2020

55 minutes ago, jeffb5.8 said:

Just left at 4am this morning to Syd for work, back up Aust weekend and most weekends when the crowds disappear.

I do have a floor tank, not sure if its a kill take but have used it like that as it drain into the hull and out the bung, it also has the under floor ski locker.

Thanks for the info Jeff.. they are definitely on my Radar now. I need to take one for a test drive, and a side console too for that matter.

January 13, 2020

So you're up at Port Stephens at the moment Jeff?

Yeah when I looked at pictures of the stacer easy rider along side a Quintrex Renegade or even a Stacer outlaw the hull looks the same so I guess it's sort of the same boat except it has no glovebox and dash for the passenger and it has a casting deck, where the other has all of the comforts and some escape from the elements when needed.

Does the Stacer easy rider have a underfloor kill tank Jeff? I know all of the Quinnies Freedom Sports I have looked at online and questioned didn't have a kill tank or built in live tank.

January 12, 2020

Cheers for the reply Jeff.

How long have you had her mate? By the sounds of it you either didn't but it solely for fishing or you don't get out much... Do you have the Bimini on it? I saw one at the boat ramp the other day and was amazed at how much room there actually was in the Stacer easy rider... Fair bit behind the driver's seat in cockpit which really surprised me. They look perfect to cover family and fishing but I'm a bit concerned how I'd go taking it offshore on occasions

January 8, 2020

I just had a look at a formosa side console boat. No comparison on build quality really. But more pricey and looks heavy though I'm not it would be.

January 8, 2020

Has anyone got a bowrider boat they use for fishing? With the front seating arrangement, I've seen a few pics where they have taken the cushions out and put in an infill to make a casting deck. some seem quite roomy in the back too. My only concern is can you somehow mount an electric motor though

January 8, 2020

2 minutes ago, mii11x said:

Can I ask what you paid approximately for the 2nd hand 484 bandit? What outboard and what hours also?

You looking for one too Mii11x?

January 8, 2020

16 hours ago, Widdupm said:

Not sure if you are still looking but I picked up a second hand bandit 484 just before christmas. As a first time boat owner I don't have much in the way of comparison but I am extremely pleased with it so far. It only has the standard 3mm bottom sheet and still rode better than I was expected - it also had the optional spray chines and was a lot dryer than expected!

Thanks for the reply mate. Yep still looking and researching. What make and size outboard you get with her widd? How is she at rest also that is the only bad thing I heard about the anglapro boats from a guy at work

Thanks

Geoff

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