jgrant666

looks great! the batter looks particularly crispy, I'd be interested in the recipe :-) I've got the opposite problem, the kids love the fish just not so much going out to catch them (but I'll keep working on that once I can get the boat back in the water......)

Thanks Nathan! I have removed the thermostat but not checked it yet, since it's still in pieces I might even replace it anyway if they're not too expensive. Otherwise it will be one of the first jobs when I get back up there. When I had the impeller done that mechanic checked the gearbox oil and said it looked fine. The motor had been serviced before we bought it in around July last year so it should have been done then anyway, though if we get the time I'll try and change it anyway. Good tip though :-) Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

With the slugs are you tying them straight onto your main line or using a swivel or leader? I was thinking myself if I can get the boat back in the water of using a 20lb flouro leader with a swivel on the end to attach to the snap swivel on my braid (to make life easier when swapping between that and my normal paternoster rig) Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Hi all, Just got back from Coffs so thought I'd share my progress so far...... Over the course of 3 days we managed to totally strip the engine. Head Gasket and exhaust Gasket both looking iffy and 2 cylinders with water. Pulled out the pistons and after a bit of TLC and some wd 40 they were moving smoothly again. Also the main bearing and one of the smaller bearings on the crankshaft had siezed, managed to clean them up and get them moving but not as freely as I'd like....... With time running out we decided to pull the pin at that point so that at least I could have one day to relax and do stuff with the family before heading back (still no fishing though :@. Decided not to waste the fuel bringing the boat back as we'd made pretty decent progress all things considered so I'll try and get back up there soon to start putting things back together. We've cleaned most of the major parts of the powerhead (heads, manifolds, crankcase etc) so when I get back all we need to do is run a cylinder hone over the cylinders. Before then I'll try and pick up some new bearings for the crankshaft and con rods, then it's just a matter of putting the new gaskets in and putting it all back together again! Might be able to make a long weekend out of Australia day to get back up there. My father in law suggested just going to a bearing place rather than through a marine dealer for the bearings The main crankshaft bearing at least has a code on it and looks to be reasonably common so that's the plan before I head back. Since water isn't supposed to get in there anyway I can't imagine there would be much difference between bearings except for the marine dealers mark-up?????? Too knackered from the drive atm but will post some pics in next day or two. Thanks for reading! Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Progress has come to a halt. Unfortunately my father in law doesn't have a gear lifter that will fit my flywheel. Have found the right thread for the johnson one though so off to bunnings to get more bolts with the same thread, hoping we can fabricate up a plate we can bolt on to the flywheel to get it off. Otherwise the carbys and fuel system have been removed, throttle is all disassembled, starter motor is gone so if we can get the flywheel off we're good to pull out and inspect the powerhead. He has to work tomorrow though so I'll only have Friday and Saturday at most to try and sort it! Not liking my chances but we'll see how it goes...... Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Ok just an update, have just started to remove the powerhead and the flywheel has siezed, which would seem to confirm a leaky Gasket allowing water into the cylinders. Will see how we go but a reco powerhead might now be on the cards if it has totally siezed Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Thanks antony, it's a sportsmancraft 4.6m fibreglass half cabin, early 80s model but the hull is solid. Only paid 4.5k for it and my wife was just made redundant so I can't really justify a whole new or 2nd hand motor atm. I've ordered a Gasket kit that fingers crossed arrives tomorrow so hopefully with my father in law we'll be able to get her running in the next couple of days. I figure worst comes to worst if we've at least dissembled it and have the parts I've saved half the labour if I do end up having to get a pro fix it. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Legend, thanks again! I'll see how I go in Coffs next week but may well take you up on that! Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Cheers, looks like I can get a pack with all the major gaskets so may as well! Is your yammy running well for a good while after now? Also, once the powerhead is off can you test it somehow without having to remount the whole thing? I have a pull start rope for the flywheel but not sure about water n fuel Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Good on you! Especially only taking what you need for a feed. Was that thomo's reef? Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Oh and well yes I thought the bloke I took the motor too did check everything, we ran it for a good 5-10 minutes at his place and it seemed ok. It was a long and bumpy drive to Merimbula though so maybe the Gasket was borderline and the long trip was the final nail in the coffin for it. Not in a huge rush to use that mechanic again though! Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Thanks Sasha! Hope you've managed to wet a line at least with your little one! As you saw the frame is pretty bent, I couldn't quite get the new perspex to sit in it nicely so that it would close properly. For now I've just siliconed it onto the top of the frame, then when I get some time I'll see if I can either shave the perspex down a bit so that the frame goes round it properly, or maybe remove the frame entirely and use the hinges and latches from it to attach the perspex directly with some window rubbers to ensure a good seal Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Oh and yes I'll be taking photos of every step to help me make sure everything goes back again so I'll be sure to post a few choice ones Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Thanks Nathan, that's a great tip. The whole problem started with sand in the intakes that got into the impeller and pulled it off the shaft so fingers crossed the thermostat is ok, but I'll definitely be testing it on your advice! Just curious though if anyone knows about throttle cables. I would think you've got the main one, plus one for the fast idle lever, the gear selector, choke and the trim controls and kill switch. Is it a single unit or multiple cables and wires just bundled together? Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

thanks to everyone for their tips and assistance. Think I'll give it a go myself whilst the offer of help from my father in law is there Thanks Nathan, mine's a 3cyl but luckily FredFlathead has the correct book so that's one thing sorted! Thanks Ian! as mentioned I've been sorted out with a manual, I'd already had the impeller done so I'm hoping if I replace the head and exhaust gaskets and otherwise give everything a good clean down with acetone then re-lube it'll come good Thanks Fab. Gonna give it a go but I had a quick look and those rebuild kits seemed to be round the $800 mark, I think for now I'll try the gaskets and pay lots of attention whilst we pull it apart, might look at the full rebuild and/or a new powerhead (which seemed to be about the same price as the rebuild kit) if the gaskets don't do the trick. If the compression is still ok fingers crossed it isn't too bad. I have to say though it just goes to show what a great community this is, so supportive with tips and advice. Hopefully I can put some faces to names @ the next social!

Thanks Nathan, compression luckily was fine when they checked it over in Merimbula, 140 on all 3 cylinders. I've got the model number which confirms it's an 82 one. Glad to hear your evinrude kicked on after its Gasket went Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

G'day raiders and happy new year Just got back from Merimbula having cut our trip short due to a combination of things going wrong. Anyways, after my impeller problems I thought all was well but nope, put the boat in at Pambula lake and it kicked over but wouldn't power up then died, took it to a local boat mechanic down there who said I've got a leak in either the head or exhaust Gasket, and water in the cylinders. Quoted me 1-2k to fix depending on how long it takes to pull apart. We had to get back for a funeral so had to decline. He also said the throttle cable is almost gone and needs replacing [emoji29] I'm not very mechanical but my father in law up in Coffs is and has offered to help me try and fix it. My first question is what do you reckon parts might run to? And can anyone recommend a good supplier? I'm thinking it would be a 2 day job? Any particular tips or things I should be mindful of when attempting to fix it? If we can't fix it then I've either gotta find a decent but cheap marine mechanic so pm suggestions would be appreciated. Happy to travel out of Sydney if need be. Otherwise may have to get rid of the boat, we only spent 4.5k on it so I really can't justify spending too much more on it especially after all the recent hassles. I'm a bit concerned about the motor seizing now too if water has gotten into the bearings. Motor is an 82 Johnson 70hp Oh and to cap it all off I didn't even get to wet a bloody line while I was down there [emoji35] Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Jeez what a haul, well done! Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a lovely day with family and friends today. Many thanks to all the raiders for your help and advice, and wishing you all tight lines and good luck out on the water :-) Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Great tips and very timely for the holiday season!

I assume you'll put a post up closer to? If we have any money left after our holidays I might just have to see what kind of bargains I can pick up ;-)

G'day Raiders, Just wondering if anyone has any recent reports of the fishing around the Merimbula Area and/or Coffs Harbour region? After my recent disaster it looks like I'll be able to patch the boat up enough to take it away over Christmas. In Merimbula I'm liking the look of the artificial reef in the lake and what look to be some good snapper grounds in twofold bay Coffs Harbour looking to fish near the jetty and maybe some of the close in reefs if the weather smiles on us Cheers Raiders - merry Christmas and tight lines to all. Here's hoping for a fun and productive summer!

Ok so I've managed to book the motor in for a checkup/impeller fix Wednesday afternoon thanks to Ian, you were right on the money with your estimate! Also many thanks to 4Myson for offering to help with the fibreglass patchup! Hopefully this arvo I can work out the winch strap and do a quick n dirty job on the broken hatch and we'll be good to go for Christmas! Just goes to show why this is an awesome community of fishos! If anyone ever needs a hand out on the water or wherever and sees me about then don't hesitate to hit me up!

That's awesome, thanks heaps mate! Yes at least the family we're all fine and didn't panic too much, though it was straight on with lifejackets for everyone as soon as the motor died. I see you're down liverpool way - I'll see if I can fix the winch strap 1st and have time to get down there before christmas, I'll PM you. How long would the gelcoat repair stuff take to cure? Brilliant Thanks Ian! I don't think I'll have the time or the skills to try and attempt it myself but at least with your info I shouldn't get soaked too hard by a marine mechanic! Fab - I'll get some pics of the strap hopefully this arvo unless I can get it into a mechanic before then

Oh and yeah I'll probably hit you up on that glass for the window :-) not much time so it'll be duct tape for now but as long as it's watertight should last our summer holiday till I can do something better. Are you a fabricator of some kind? Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk