[I'm over it.... I give up.... (boat storage)]

5 hours ago, Killer said:

Just sold my boat, which lived in the driveway of my house, but can understand the frustration of not being able to park one where you live. My mate has a caravan parked in the street outside his house. It belongs to a guy who lives one street away, who says he doesn't want to take up parking space in his street and annoy his neighbours!!!! What the.  I guess if you own a house and someone parks their boat outside for weeks/months/years on end, it may become an annoyance. Just another perspective.

That would Sh!t me as well

I see a few long term parking in Wharf Road Melrose Park near the ramp, mostly it would not bother people as its factories on one side, so the residents are not affected. Also notice heaps of Shit trailers and boats parked on Lilyfield rd.

Both of these roads are long enough that you could move the boat 500 - 800mtrs down the road after each use to spread the love.

[JB Water Weld, sikaflex or welding for hole on aluminium boat]

On my old Tinnie at the bow as it curves down to the bottom I had 3 small holes (1 or 2mm) which were caused by a rock when doing beach launches / landings and going to close to the shore fishing.

I used Kneed it from bunnings

1. Cleaned the outside and inside of the boat at the hole

2. mixed the kneed it and rolled it into a small cone shape, with a sharp point

3. Pushed the shar point into the hole from the outside and while I kept pressure from outside one of the kids spread the kneed it on the inside and added a small amount of extra knee it on the inside.

4. I then smoothed the kneed it on the outside 

5. Gave it 24hrs to harden and never touched it again for the 2yrs I owned the boat. which include multiple beach landings and launches

[Advice on Sabiki Rigs]

I use these Jigs, when I have the 3 little kids onboard, I remove two hooks or 3, add a very tiny piece of either squid or Pillie and a heavy snapper sinker.

The extra weight is needed as when the Yakkas get hooked they swim up, so if you hook two or 3 then it is a instant tangle.

I also rig them to a very cheap Kmart Kids rod as it makes it easier to secure them we moving spot, rather than a hand line.

[ID'ing fellow raiders on the water]

I have the stickers, picked them up this afternoon and had a great chat with Mr and Mrs Swordy.

im based in Silverwater but do get out and about in Sydney for work on occasion.

i will also be in Shoalbay in 2 or 3 weeks and have a stash to bring up for the PS Crew.

[Fish cleaning table unusable: Pelicans]

We had a pelican steal a whole frozen adult mullet while loading the boat, it really struggled to swallow the thing.

 

[Boat inspection in Fairfield]

The boat looks ok the trailer will need work or more likely replacing.

the price seems a little high, but it’s not unrealistic And probably has factored in negotiation room, think more like $21k With that trailer. If the trailer wasn’t so bad then maybe $23k.

 

Edited:

There was more photos, when I just looked, the body looks good but has wear and tear from being 14yrs old.

Looks like I should get my $32kono when I sell mine being 10yrs newer

 

[Repower of Haines 635L with Mercury 150HP ProXS 4Stroke]

15 hours ago, zmk1962 said:

The net is at idle and trolling it's hard to hear the motor running over the noise of the ocean, at 3500-4500 (50kmh) noticeably quieter than the 200HP and easy to hold a conversation, when you get to the 5000rpm (60kmh) its loud and at WOT 70kmh it howls.... 

Thanks mate

That’s the sort of information I was after as it’s a common question (Noise of Outboard) On my boat to the point I often contemplate changing to a 4 stroke.

But never thought about noise when on other people’s boats before I bought mine, for the most part its not a problem but is another thought when I upgrade or repower.

[Flatty Friday 24.07.2020 Sydney Reefs]

20 hours ago, wrxhoon1 said:

but I agree with the cleaning table it is a disgrace, I won't clean any fish there .

As for walking the boat to the trailer it doesn't effect me as I drive off, drive on. One thing I don't like coming back in the afternoon in summer I find several boats hogging the pontoon going nowhere. All I need to do is dock for 5 seconds to drop my driver off and go away until the trailer is backed, drive on ( no more than 2 minutes) and get out of there.

The other issue is the bloody tree on the left side when driving up, I had to watch my hardtop and the way the kerb is curved on the other side you had to watch so you don't scrape the tyres on it. I have 8 ply truck tyres but I still don't want to compromise my sidewalls. I wrote to the council last year and they trimmed the tree, much easier now.

Correct about the fish cleaning tables, I have even used dish washing liquid and a scrubber on the table, before I started for that one time I actually caught a fish worth bringing home.

Rydalmere / Ermington is the pick of the ramps, Silverwater the pontoon does not float so is very slippery and the wash from the river cats is huge, don't want to be there trying to get a large boat on when a river cat goes past.

I wonder if it was council who did the trees, I was there a few weeks back and heard a few blokes discussing coming down with a chainsaw next time as they just broke one of their rods as it was hooked up in the tree.

Putney is good and Rhodes is also good although parking is limited.

[Boat inspection in Fairfield]

KanTec

One issue you may face in the 2nd hand $15k - $25k priced boat market like the car market has actually risen during Covid-19, due in part to people accessing $10k from their super and others who now get $1500 per fortnight rather than their normal $200 per week from working 1 or 2 shifts.

I have 10 guys here at work who all accessed their super and bought either a new (2nd Hand) car or big TV & Game consoles. I am waiting to see if the ATO will do anything as them like me had little to no changes in their income or work shifts.

I personally think from Nov 2020 till Feb 2021 there will be the cliff drop for a lot of people who don't have $$$ reserves and it will be bargain time whether its Property or Cars / Boats. Especially if we don't get this 2nd wave under control asap.

So while its nice to have your own boat a short term Hire boat might be the go if desperate to hit the water this Summer and wait for the bargains.

[Boat inspection in Fairfield]

37 minutes ago, JonD said:

Simple thing to do is ask a few outboard mechanics

I asked Huey from Huett Marine, Andrew from Blakes Marine, Chris from Hunts Marine and John from Sydney Power Sports and they all said Etec for the win. Maybe its because they all sell Etecs and the wouldn't recommend anything they didn't sell.

My unbias opinion

Buying New: Buy a 4 stroke

Buying Almost new 3yrs or less, buy a 4 stroke, purely because BRP has pulled out of the market, but if I found the perfect boat and it had a Etec on it, it would not stop me from buying it.

Buying 2nd hand 4yrs to 6yrs, buy the engine which has been serviced regularly with documentation and performs well on a test run, I would limit it to 4 strokes and Etecs.

Buying over 6yrs old, buy the engine which has been serviced regularly with documentation, don't fall for the I have a mate who is a marine mechanic, if so then they should have the part receipts.

[Boat inspection in Fairfield]

6 hours ago, Madwave said:

but bowriders and cuddy cabins etc will halve your fishing space

I will disagree for the Bowrider

Take the cushion off my bowrider and add the casting platform and you have almost as much room as a Side Console, the hull on my 539 is high enough that going outside is exactly the same as going outside in a Centre console / Side Console and with self draining deck.

I have 3 kids and they never want to sit anywhere except the front and believe me I get more tired of watersports before they do, plus we set up a base camp on the shore so if they get bored or tired, they just lay under the beach umbrella.

I have a bow cover which clips on in 1 minute along with the large Bimini which provides excellent shade for the odd kid that wants to relax out of the sun.

The problem with Cuddy cabin is nobody wants to sit in there when under way as they all want to watch the world go by, they are great if its a 90% fishing boat but if its a family day out the weather is usually perfect and most families don't go out when its raining or windy.

Another advantage of a bowrider is the number of people you can take, My 539 Easyrider takes 7 adults The 539 Runabout only 6, so with a few kids under 12 we can have two families onboard, which is great for days cruising the Hawkesbury or full days at Shoal bay, We load up the boat shoot across to Jimmy's Beach and get away from the crowds.

I solo launch mine as its so easy, my 14yr daughter can now launch and drive it back on the trailer, so great I no longer have to get wet feet.

 

p.s

i bought bigger as it gave me more options for activities and people but still easy for solo launch and care.

[Boat inspection in Fairfield]

20 minutes ago, kanTec said:

I see I need to do more homework before proceeding.

Are all two-stroke engines smelly?

 

Yes in regards to smoke, Some more than others especially the older models 1990's to early 2000's, New ones like the Etec do still smoke its nothing like the older 2 strokes, to be honest I only smell the smoke, if I reverse and I'm at the back of the boat and its not over powering like the old models where you can watch the smoke haze drift across the river, never smell it on Idle, driving forward or on starting.

As Joh said above, While the bowriders hold their value, compared to similar runabout models, the one listed is a bit expensive in my mind for what it is, I would have though $14k

Buying a boat is about patience, my theory is they are like buses and another will be along soon and it will be either better or the same. Covid is really starting to bite, so I wouldn't be surprised if more boats started appearing for sale from now as things get worse.

Its a buyers market unless they are in mint condition with full service records.

I like this one better, but is a bit dear, maybe bargain down

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/matraville/motorboats-powerboats/quintrex-bow-rider-suit-new-boat-buyer/1242230064

 

[Fiber glass Boat Recommendations]

On 7/18/2020 at 5:21 PM, wrxhoon1 said:

Stejcraft 580 is half the boat Haines signature 650 F is. It is not what he is looking for and they have very small fuel tanks

Total agree the 650F is the boat Justfishing described, As his wants and would fit every aspect.

My brother in-laws videos and photos of where he has taken his Haines are just breathtaking plus the fish he catches way offshore leave my Harbour Bream for dead.

[Bung plugs]

23 hours ago, Muzza6411 said:

btw where do you get the o rings from??

I haven’t had to replace the Oring as yet.

i have spotted them at Blake’s Marine but any Stacer or Quintrex dealer would sell them.

the complete bung is like $6 from Hunts Marine 

 

 

 

[Fiber glass Boat Recommendations]

Hi

my brother in law just upgraded from Quintrex half cab to a 2018 Haines Signature 650f hardtop with a 250hp Merc and he is stoked with the ride and handling.

He is in The NT and does over nighters offshore and really rates the ride.

Pretty sure he paid $76k for it and it had 45hrs on the engine.

It does have all the bells and whistles

 

P.s

My wife loveS the Stejcraft 580 Islander Deluxe and with a drive away price of $74k with all my options, she is working on me to trade my Bowrider for it.

610 Monaco is also nice

[Bung plugs]

My Stacer bung is the same with the O-Ring in the first part of the thread and doesn’t let any water in
 

the bung hole has a tapered recess where the Oring seats into

 

 

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

The valve opens on my motor about 4,300 Rpm, depending on the load on the motor.

But the selling dealer, the servicing dealer and the Etec Owners Forum all said to take the motor higher in the rev range to get the valve to fully open at least once each trip.

It doesn't mean you have to redline it each time all day, just give it a squirt up to the higher revs and get the valve moving, early models 2008 ect had a issue with the valve seizing, then they added a grease nipple and started tell everyone to make sure you open the valve regularly.

It easy to do especially in the waterways I use and who doesn't run top speed for a few minutes on most trips. 

You can really feel the valve when it open as its like a decent boost to the engine and it changes the engine sound, plus its a 2 stroke and they love to Rev.

 

Here is one I found 

https://www.etecownersgroup.com/post/exhaust-valve-question-9863355?highlight=exhaust+valve&pid=1305744352

Here is one where Huett Marine reply to the Exhaust question

https://www.etecownersgroup.com/post/exhaust-valve-question-9771312?highlight=exhaust+valve&pid=1304573504

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

On 7/8/2020 at 4:47 PM, wrxhoon1 said:

You say "some Porpoising" that can be an indication of the engine mounted too low especially if the steering feels heavier on one side . You should be able to find a trim position where the steering feels very neutral. Does the prop cavitate when you turn hard at or close to full speed?

Hi WRX

i feel my motor is to low but posted a photo And video on ETec forum and got heaps of different views, Most saying it’s find, I say to low as the amount of water running over the cav plate is a lot.

if I have the motor trimmed in the 30s. On the gauge, When planning I do get that sweet spot where the steering is light and direct.

It will have cavitation if it’s trimmed up in the high 30s and you do a sharp turn like whipping the tube.

Edited:

Checking my model Number I have 

E115DSL     390 lbs / 177 kgs20" / 508 mm

Model Gear Ratio2.00:1

Will  check what my mate has just out of interest and will pay more attention to his engine height and Revs

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

1 hour ago, zmk1962 said:

Hi Jeff, the rule of thumb I noticed was that each movement in pitch (up or down) will affect your theoretical speed about 6% at a given RPM range.

 

2 hours ago, noelm said:

It's not quite as simple as it sounds, you put a bigger prop on, you drop RPM, so, top speed remains the same, but, getting on the plane and towing suffers, the prop you have seems pretty well right unless you have some friends with the same prop fitting you can borrow to test.

Thanks Noel and Zoran

I thought about a different Prop as 6,150 is right on the over Rev limit of my engine which is 6,200, this thing has very great hole shot and on the plane very quickly.

I did post this on Etec owner forum and one reply said go to a Viper 21" with the same pitch, will play with the calculators

P.s Right now I just don't go WOT to much to keep in away from Redline.

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

44 minutes ago, Plethora said:

sorry do not know what prop - I will have too take a look (what ever it came with from the factory I guess)

No Problems be interested to know but no rush.

My 2016 115hp is fitted with a 19" and yet my mate has a 2015 130hp and his is fitted with a 17", I would have thought it would have been the other way round but hey it works for his boat, which incidentally is the Stacer 540 the 1yr older version of my boat .

 

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

11 minutes ago, Welster said:

Hi Jeff what do you mean by exhaust valve functioning? 

The Etec has a power valve, which is why they need to be propped and driven above 5,500 Rpm on each use, if you don't open the valve regularly they can seize up and that affects the engine. Very expensive to fix although there is work arounds, if they seize the motor usually wont rev when required.

It doesn't mean you have to run all the time at 5,500rpm or above but they do say to give it a blast each run.

It feels similar to the old 2 stroke motocross bikes when they hit powerband.

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

22 minutes ago, GoingFishing said:

I dont do much towing but would have thought that 67km/hr is sufficient for towing.

Yeah I don't tow at top speed as its way to fast, and this boat has tonnes of spare hole shot to get skier's up, its more the race to the ramp, especially on New Years Eve or busy days, getting over taken by 3 or 4 boats with smaller motors in not fun.

Plus I would like full throttle to not be over 6,000 rpm, but needs to be over 5,650 rpm for the exhaust valve functioning on the Etec.

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

9 minutes ago, Plethora said:

I have the same 2016 115 Etec motor on a 2016 Stacer 509 Searunner and I have put a SE Sport 300 hydrofoil and now it jumps out of the water and top speed of mine is 38knots and has no Porpoise(ing), quite fast and very smooth ride on flat surface. (I trim around 48 on the gauge)

only 77Ltrs of fuel on mine and hull slightly lighter

Hey Plethora

What RPM does your top out at?

What Prop spec does your have?

Yesterday on Syd Harbour it was smooth water and little wind, I had 3 adults, two kids and flat out trimmed to 45 (6,150rpm) and I didn't lose any speed by pulling the throttle back to drop the rpm to 5,850.

My mate next to me in a F/Glass 18ft bowrider with a Yamaha 115 saltwater series, similar loads (3 adults and 1 kid) doesn't take off as fast (Not much slower) but leaves me for dead on the run down the river to Rydalmere., So I would love to get a few extra knots as it doesn't need to hit 6,150rpm.

[115hp Etec Prop Question]

Prop: Viper 13 7/8 x 19"

2/2016 115HP Etec

Stacer 539 Alloy Easyrider (Bowrider) (Boat & Motor weight 790kg)

Normal Load 2 Adults (200kg) 3 kids under (150Kg), full tank 90ltrs fuel, so food and drinks and light fishing gear.

My max RPM is 6,150rpm on smooth water with a light wind 

Motor trimmed out to 38 on the trim gauge, Seems to like mid to high 30's, once it gets to about 45 on the gauge I get some Porpoise(ing)

Top Speed is 36knots (67km or 42Mph)

Now I have had 70hrs trouble free motoring and actually love the boat again, I would like to pick up some top end speed. 

Which prop would you go to bring the revs down a little but also pick up to Top speed. Perfect top revs is about 5800rpm

Do I need a 4 blade or just a different pitch 3 blade.

The boat is used like most bowriders, towing a Donut / knee board, fishing and sightseeing

[Repower of Haines 635L with Mercury 150HP ProXS 4Stroke]

5 hours ago, GoingFishing said:

20 year old 2 stroke tech vs 2020 merc 4 stroke and your asking if its quieter.......   LOL

Yep I’m fishing 

I went from a 2001 2 stroke to a 2016 Etec and there was very little difference in the noise output, still have to yell across the boat.

so I was interested in knowing if there was a significant drop in outboard noise or just a little cause it all adds to the comfort of long drives in a boat.