The Yank

Hi all, reviving this 5 year old topic to say thanks for the advice. Took me a while to pull the trigger but the short stint in oz turned into a long stint in Oz and as of two months ago the boat has landed in Sydney- us trailer and all. Thanks for for all the tips back then as it planted the seed that got me to finally ship the bay boat over. Now I just need fishing partners.....

Hello All, Appreciate all the advice back in January about bringing a boat over from the USA. Long story short, I made it to this side of the world but a last minute insurance issue with the freight company changed the economics of the venture and led to the boat being left behind. I did manage to get my fishing kayak into the container though so able to get out and enjoy the wonderful waters here. Does anyone yak fish around the harbour this time of year? Would be great to synch up for a trip sometime. I've been giving it a go and dodging ferries as often as possible- more fishing than catching so far but getting there. For those of you who do Yak fish around the city, do you know of any good places to store a kayak near the water? I've got a short term rental with a garage for now but next month will be moving and may not have a place onsite to store it. Probably going to move out toward the northern beaches- Seaforth, DeeWhy, Manly area. I've seen a lot of kayak rental places but haven't come across anywhere to store and launch from yet over there.

Thanks for the replies and advice! As for the seaworthiness I'll show you all first had when I get over there and we can determine it from there

So it is looking pretty good for bringing the boat. Movers were by yesterday to measure everything up and said they can fit it and the small amount of furniture and crap we are moving into one 40' container. Assuming my company signs off on paying for it, the boat is coming with us. I am looking to get the trailer as close to NSW legal as possible before loading it. It's a 6K lb GVWR, dual axle aluminum, exactly 8' wide. It currently has hydraulic drum brakes on one axle. (They are due for replacement anyway) Is it correct that I need a brake on every wheel or is having them on the front axle sufficient? The NSW gov site mentiones break away brakes which I don't see much of here in the states (Dodging runaway boat trailers on the highway is a sport here in Florida) but they are available. Do you know if there are any specs for brakes and break away kits that I need to be aware of? I would hate to replace everything here only to have to do it over again there. The bitch of it is I am not planning to really trailer the boat much other than taking it to the marina. Looking at Whitebay 6 which appears to be just a launching spot and parking lot. Aside from brakes, is there anything else I need to know? Thanks!

Probaby more near shore and back bay. The low freeboard makes anything more than a few miles out a bit dicey. We'll run 30 miles out on a good Summer day here for Grouper and Snapper but as you mention the waters are pretty flat in the gulf that tme of year. Here's a pic of a simialr boat. Mine doesn;t have the T-Top but otherwise is very simialr Definitely looking forward to comparing notes on how we catch fish on our respective sides of the world!

Boat is 8' beam plus one inch per side of rub rail so looks like I'll just make it. Thanks again for the advice and links to the marinas! 1st round's on me when I get over there

Thanks for the input and welcome! Yes, I had heard there were some different trailer regs over there that I'd need to look into. My trailer is just under 8' wide. Not sure I'll have a car there right away so that opens other challenges to consider. Are there many dry storage marinas near the city?

Hello All, I'm a Florida fisherman who is being relocated for work to Sydney in February. The move happened kind of suddenly and I have a boat here in the states that I just finished restoring- Outboard only has 20 hours on it. The boat is a 24' Pathfinder, what we refer to as a bay style boat. It's great in the shallow bays of Florida, very low to the water and rides great across the small choppy seas we have here. I am thinking of trying to wedge the boat into my shipping container but am wondering it if would be worth it? Aside from te logistical hassles, would this type of boat be a good fishing platform in your area? Most of the boats I see for sale in Sydney area seem to have high bows and lots of freeboard. Appreciate any opinions you guys have.