pistolpete33

Thanks Geoff appreciate your advice. Yeah I'll have to trace the wiring looms when I have some time on the weekend. Will also replace the dodgy fuses once they're tested. Cheers Pete

Thanks welst. Both the old and new bilge pumps have built in float switches (mercury switches). Strangely both are doing the same thing which may indicate a wiring issue of some sort. Cheers Pete

Hi Raiders Took the boat out on the weekend and heard the bilge pump running (without any water in the hull). Has worked fine since I bought the boat over a year ago. Tried switching off at the dashboard but no luck. After pushing the off button pump would turn off for 1 second then turn on again. Pulled all the terminals off the back of the dashboard switch but pump still running. Sometimes the pump would fade in and out of full power. Got home and pulled bilge pump out. Looked pretty ordinary (8 years old) and was poorly mounted to the hull (one of the release clips was snapped off as it was hard up against the fuel tank). Being a sealed unit thought the pump circuit board might be stuffed so I chucked it out and bought a new rule mate pump. Wired up the new pump same as old and as per wiring diagram. Switched battery back on but pump still running. Thought the new unit might have some sort of auto run on cold start/battery on so left running out of water for 30 sec. Pump wouldn't stop so turned battery off. Removed in-line 7.5amp blade fuse thinking it might have blown (thinking a blown fuse would lead to activating the pump). Fuse wire looked fine but one of the blades showed signs of corrosion. Didn't have a spare fuse so scrapped off the corrosion and roughed up with sandpaper. Put fuse back in and battery on but pump still running. Before I trot off to the nearest auto electrician, does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Pete

Great post Fab and thanks for posting. Definitely on my maintenance list!

Great tip Holls Thai fish curry sound like the go. BTW how's the serenity in the sunset photo. Picturing myself in that chair with a nice coldie!!

Hey Mark Well done on the maiden voyage! Have you checked the fuel filter? If blocked with dust/debris etc you may find that it will run ok while there's enough fuel in the filter but as you increase speed (and use more fuel) it can't suck it fast enough to fill up the filter. Result is it will idle along at the speed at which it's drawing fuel. If the idle mode is kicking in regularly (ie every few minutes or so) this may be the solution. If it's only happening every now and then it's probably contamination in the fuel line or some sort of electrical issue. Try and eliminate the contamination by disposing of the existing fuel and start with fresh stuff (also a good idea to use a fuel preserver if the boat isn't getting used for a few weeks at a time. Hope this helps. Cheers Pete

Hey Joe welcome to fishraider mate. Looking forward to reading your reports as I haven't really given much thought to being a rock hopper. Got a place up at Port Macquarie close to the breakwall so might have to expand my horizons!! BTW...did you just do the srocp course at Terrey Hills on the October long weekend??? Cheers Pete

Great report mate and well done on getting the young one out fishing. I know how good it was out there cause I was floating around Towlers catching a few. Had a bad case on Monday-itis so traded in the laptop for the boat. Chers Pete

Well done Jeff and thanks for the tip. Sounds like the young guys had a cracker day! Cheers Pete

Saturday might be the go for me. Thinking of heading out to Sydney north FAD.

Cheers for the heads up Razz. Much appreciated! Might head down this weekend for a B&E roll before launching!!

Hey Stephen. I've spent quite a bit of time up at Port but unfortunately can't help you with blackfish. Best advice would be to drop into the tackleworld shop on the main drag as you come into town and ask Chris. You can get nippers from the flats next to Settlement City. Drive around to the shopping centre and directly opposite Panthers (just before the bridge) there's a walking track to the sand flats. I've attached a mud map which may help. If you're looking for other spots to go with the tinny just drop me a PM. Enjoy Port! Cheers Pete img-151015093131.pdf

Glad you had some success over the weekend. Those calamari are sweet!!! Keep at it mate.

Yeah just look for birds working and diving into the water (they're going after the same bait as the taylor). You may also see the surface water being broken from the activity and looks like the water is boiling. Any flashy lure will be a good chance of getting hit. Golden rule when you come across a school is DONT DRIVE STRAIGHT THRU THE MIDDLE. That's a sure way of driving them away. Just float around the edges, engine off and cast into the activity.

2/0 long shanks will do fine and don't forget to get a few hard bodied lures. Really good if you come across schools of taylor. Heaps of fun and you can get them for a few bucks!

Nice capture John. Hope you used a long lens!!!!!

Hey mate congrats on the new boat!! I've had mine for about a year now and pretty much did the same for the first few trips ie wandering around the Hawkesbury without any success. We now mainly fish areas around Pittwater on the high tide shoulder (2 hours before 2 hours after). I think high tide was 3pm today but not sure what time you hung up the rods??? Try a drift off Patonga beach and if you're lucky you might land a few whiting. Head over to West Head and burley up and you'll catch a few yellowtail (small but fun to catch for the kids!!) plus good live bait. Short trip over to Barrenjoey (back side of Palm Beach) and jig for squid. Good luck!

Yeah I agree it's an all too familiar problem. Unfortunately the clown suit comes in all sizes and you'll be guaranteed that several "water users" will give the suit a try on any given weekend.

Had a read through the fact sheets and I too had a lot of stuff that I didn't understand. Rather than ask a bunch of questions just decided to PMFO and sign up for the SROCP last Saturday. Main reasons I did the course; It's required by LAW Only need to do it ONCE The course fee went to Marine Rescue which is run by VOLUNTEERS giving up their time up to ensure OUR SAFETY I learnt the right PROTOCOLS for operating a VHF radio The tea and bickies were yummy!!! Please do yourself a favour and sign up for your licence. If you're in Sydney contact details as follows; Marine Rescue Terrey Hills Helen Medhurst Phone: 9876 2459 Cost: $220 (think of it as a very worthwhile donation!!)

Dolphins have always been a part of life on the water and I'm sure many of you have seen (and photographed) plenty over the years. They are fascinating creatures and tend to stop traffic whenever they make an appearance. Photography is one of my favourite hobbies and I'm keen to see any photos you've taken whilst enjoying time on the water. Here's one I snapped at Port Macquarie. There's a big pod that cruise the river/breakwall and you can be almost guaranteed to see them in the morning and afternoon. No matter how many times you've seen them there's always time to see another one!!

G'day Raiders Decided to head out today with #1 son Azz to kick off the long weekend. Weather was great so we though work can wait!! Started off landing a few yakkas at West Head (Azz bagged the lot!) then headed offshore to the flatty grounds without any luck. Wind started to come up and a little bumpy out there so we packed up and headed into Pittwater. Dropped the Rapala Magnum out the back and had a troll around Coasters and Towlers. Not long after we (...sorry Azz) hooked up a nice rat king which put up a nice fight. Safely landed on board but barely legal so we decided to release and fight another day. Gotta say seeing this beautiful fish swim back into the depths was almost as good at the catch!! Finished the day drifting off Barrenjoey and bagged three nice squid (Azz again), which ended up in the esky!! They should go down nicely with a few cold beers on this balmy long weekend!! Anyway hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoy some time on the water. Cheers Pete

probably the same bloke that came up with this one...

Didn't think I had a fear of heights until the kids made me go on the Giant Drop ride at Dreamworld. Man that thing is high!!!!! It just kept going up and up and up then.....boom......free falling back to earth! I've climbed the harbour bridge no problems but I guess it's the different sensation from having your legs hanging over a massive drop. Very happy when I walked away from that thing...

Took this one a couple of years ago when the QM2 was in circular quay. +1 to the Glenmore

Always a good idea to do an epirb practice drill every 6 months. Where is it, how do I turn it on, is the battery charged etc etc. You never know when you're gunna need it!!