frankS

Friday at 10:56 PM

I just sold a smaller version the Scorpion 485 and was pleased with the way it handled off shore on a reasonable day it had a 90hp Etec which was max for the boat, it got up and boogied in the bay but naturally you had to slow down outside.

I also have the Savage lancer a 80;s model 5.3 m and I have to say it is without a doubt the BEST tinnie of it's size going . It also has a 90hp Etec and although it can have up to 120hp the 90 is enough for a fishing boat, if you want a ski/speed boat get a Lewis.

plenty of fishing room for 4 people and reasonably stable at rest. They, like any alloy boat don't like short chop .

The osprey are a great boat for what they are, a mid sized tinnie .

Try and get hold of Geoff Websters book ( Trailerboat Fisherman 27 top fishin boats ! ). and I have left the g off from fishing as this is how the book is spelt.

Here is a summary of his review. ( it makes a nice change to be able to write ) " this is the best boat in it's class" . This was the review on the Lancer 530.

Just my opinion.

Frank

May 30

10 hours ago, linewetter said:

Frank,

We've never met and don't think we've interacted before since I joined quite recently, but I read your post around a month ago and have been thinking of you since from time to time wondering how you're going. I thought to check back into your post today in case you posted some more, and glad I did because I was able to read about your life changer of an update. From one stranger to another, glad you're doing better, and even though we are strangers to each other, you're still thought of by me. Looking forward to seeing your next update if you post one, hopefully about catching some fish with the new rod and net setup on the back of the scooter!

That is very nice of you to take the time to write such a thoughtful post to convey your feelings, and I do appreciate you doing so.

Anyone that knows me personally knows I don't do things in any sort of a hurry. My mind races off at a hundred miles an hour with thoughts of how I will go about putting a project together but reality slows my body down some what!.

I have all intensions of making a rod rack for the back of the scooter to hold a couple of rods a net and a small tackle box. But than again I thought of modifying this cart to tow behind the scooter

it already has all that is needed for a session along the river bank and room for a decent sized esky, it is battery operated and will travel as fast as my scooter, much quicker than I can walk.

I made this gadget several years ago for a fellow Fishraider that lives in England and comes here to fish sometimes.

That's why it has the Newcastle stickers on it.

I will update what I do when it is done so stay tuned.

At the moment I have several projects on the go and I am much more active than I was when I started this thread.

Frank

May 20

On 5/16/2024 at 8:00 PM, kingie chaser said:

Hi Frank, Im sorry to hear you are not doing as well these days.

You may not be as active anymore but it sounds like your mind is still sharp as a tack which in my eyes is the main thing 🙂

Hopefully you will continue to share your knowledge on here for a long time to come.

Frank, what I admire about you is you have never backed down even as tough as times have been for you & you have still managed to achieve more in recent years than most younger blokes just think about doing!

Building trailers from scratch, refitting outfits, you never said never.

I really appreciate what you taught & shared with me both on here & in person.

Keep up the fight mate 🙂

Hi mate, long time no see. I am feeling OK in my mind and I keep thinking I can do that but my body tells me I can't.

last few weeks I have been getting about a bit and it feels good to be a bit more active. I now have 2 mobility scooters with another one coming soon. 1 brand new but just a baby the second one a full sized 4 wheel scooter which I have just bought 2 new 50 amp batteries to replace the 2 36 amp ones will give me extra milage.

The 3rd one I am going to buy new Lithium batteries as it is a mid sized 4 wheel scooter. I will make up my mind which one I like the best.

I was going to make a rack to carry the scooter that fits on the tow bar of the car but I found a cheap one on ebay so saves me making one.

I am going to make rod and net holders to fit on the back so I can drive down to the river and unload the scooter and use it to ride up and down the shoreline to flick a line out now and again.

Frank

May 18

I am very impressed by the new floating pontoon at the main ramp in the harbour, the old pontoon is still there so now 2 great holding bays while you collect your trailer.

Also the new boat ramp in the river with floating pontoon a vast improvement over the old ramp that was just fair at the best of times.

Frank

May 18

Made a trip to my 2nd home and spent 2 days with old mate. Took the 13 ft tinnie down to Bermagui harbour and spent approx 5 hours relaxing with rod in hand Wednesday and managed a couple of small but legal Flathead .Thursday cruised up the river for a couple of miles seen a 1 metre + Flattie scurry out from under the boat in very shallow water, chucked lures in the direction that it went but no strikes. No fish caught in the river so back to the harbour and entrance for another hour or so and managed another flathead and a flounder. Sorry no photos as I didn't have camera.

Frank

May 13

Neil. I have never had a problem with driving the car it's one thing I can do all day long. My car is in the workshop at the moment getting a new radiator and air condenser.

I sit on my scooter and drive around the streets just for the sake of it and to get some more charges into these batteries before buying new ones.

Frank

May 13

Hi guys, Just a quick update. I bought a little mobility scooter ( new ) and immediately fell in love with it. It didn't take long to do a few laps around my back yard and then out onto the street and around the block a few times. Charged the battery up again and drive it into Berala shopping centre and got a hair cut . I didn't feel the slightest bit stupid driving it, in fact I felt rather good . It's twice as quick as I could ever walk 8 k's per hour on the flat, slows down a little going up a slope but still comfortable speed.

Unfortunately, it is too small to ride on the road safely and the pavements around here are in pretty poor condition with each slab laying a different way to the next creating quiet large bumps and the little scooter has solid rubber tyres so it's pretty jarring going over the ridges in the concrete pathway.

So I decided to get a larger pump up tyre scooter 2nd hand which has been around the block a few times and a bit rough around the edges . However it goes 12 k's per hour and much more comfortable seating with high back chair with recliner and I feel very comfortable driving it. And being a bit rough here and there it suits me just fine as I can do a bit of work to it to keep me occupied. I thjnk I will update the batteries from 36 amp hour to new 50 amp hour because these 36 amp hr ones seem to lose their charge rather quickly . although these ones have been sitting for a while not being charged they might come good after a few charges. The range of this scooter is 35-50 k's depending on weight and road conditions so even half that is further than I will ever want to drive the thing.

I am thinking of making a rack so I can load it on the back of the car via tow bar and could take it down the river by car unload it easily and drive the scooter ( which will have rod racks built for it) along the river pathways and flick a line out here and there.

Anyway guys I am feeling heaps better than I did a few weeks back and the mobility scooter is a great investment for me.

As they say it's a life changer.

Frank

May 5

57 minutes ago, brapbrap said:

I get about a week and out of the 10lt tank, thats using it most evenings and on the weekend.

Hi It states 12 volt does this mean it uses a 12v battery as well as diesel fuel. OR what does the 12 volt do. Pardon my ignorance . I am interested in getting one of these but don't want to carry a 12v battery around with me .

Frank

May 5

Something like this might work LPG fueled

Frank

May 5

44 gallon drum with top cut out and grid made for the bottom. you could make one in about an hour and run an extractor fan to direct the smoke out a window or cut a hole in the shed to fit the extractor fan.

I have a large outside gas heater for the gazebo but not recommended for indoors .

Frank

May 5

Very nice looking spot Neil. The 12 foot punt with leckie bow mount would go well there. Frank

May 1

Great work, fine catch of quality fish, a few decent meals in that lot.

Frank

May 1

Hi all below is a list of outboard engines I have for sale with condition and asking price contact me if any interest you.

1: Johnson 40hp 20inch shaft electric start forward controls and loom with guages has electric trim and tilt in good working condition 10 months since started approx 1997-2000 2 stroke

$2200.00

2: 50hp Johnson 20 inch shaft approx 1997-2000 model seized engine good for spares already some parts missing like trim motor. has forward control and cables.$500.00 or will throw in with above engine if full price paid for above.

3: 30hp Yamaha 2 stroke electric start, can't find forward controls. 2 years since started as needed fuel pump since purchased new fuel pump but haven't fitted . $750.00

4: Mercury 9.9 2 stroke 8 months since started but ran well last time it was run tiller $400.00

5: Mercury 25hp spares only been sitting here for approx 5 years without starting. $100.00

6: Johnson 15hp 2 stroke approx 1995 model was running great last time I had it on a boat about 5 years without starting $750.00 .

7: Motorguide bow mount electric motor think it's 55lb it is 12 volt with foot control and quick release bracket. I will throw a 105 amp hour battery in with it but it's been sitting for about 2 years without charge so it's touch and go if it will take charge or not .motor ran well when last used. $300.00

All the motors are bought as seen and inspected and I have been as honest as can be with discription, for further info PM me here .

And if anyone wants to see the garage full of other stuff I have call me to come and have a look. Heaps of rods reels lures and other fishing related items.

Frank

May 1

Hi all I have a Johnson 40hp motor with forward controls electric start and power trim and tilt, comes with forward controls wiring loom and guages. Not sure of model or hours run. I bought the motor for Quintrex but have sold boat. The motor was running fine when I bought it.

It comes with a 50 hp Johnson also has forward controls for spares, a few items missing off this motor like trim etc.and motor is seized but good for spares.

Asking $2200 for both . Don't ask for split the 40hp is $2200 the 50 is thrown in with deal.

Will take photos if anyone interested.

Frank

April 22

Neil. Glad you had some success with the charter but as far as Melbourne goes You can have that all to yourself.

Mate so sorry about the positive test. Just hope you don't get it as bad as I did. Fair dinkum I used to think this covid thing was just a case of the fly or similar. Mate I gotta tell you it hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt no better than a complete Zombie for best part of a month, in fact I still don't feel all that good and I do believe when you get to our age it hits worse than the younger people OR maybe I just copped the long term thing.

It was that bad I haven't hardly been down in my sheds since before Xmas. I couldn't go to the family dinner at Xmas as It was just about that time when it hit me.

Geeze mate I am a real cheer up society aint I !!!.

Sorry to put the dampers on things mate but just take care of yourself and take all the precautions you can and anything that may make you feel better.

Frank

April 18

1 hour ago, big Neil said:

Hi Frank, old buddy. Saddened to hear that you are feeling that life has little to offer. I fully understand where you're coming from, and perfectly aware that we older folk are all in the same boat. As disheartening as it seems to be I would encourage you to contact Donna and look at what options are available. I think you will be surprised to see that our circumstances have been studied and there are options available for us to take. Don't give up!

You have enjoyed a very full and active life. You have contributed to many peoples enjoyment and you are not yet ready for the scrap heap. Your skill and determination have provided many of your friends and acquaintances with positive results to their problems. You are a true and loyal friend and though your list of friends is diminishing, you still have a loving wife by your side.

Sure life has changed and will continue to change, but you can still make the best of what's on offer. If the offer of hospitality is still open I will come up and see you towards the end of May...let me know. I will look forward to seeing you and Val again.

Look forward to hearing from you Frank.

Always your mate, bn

Neil. You know you are more than welcome anytime and although I may not be able to take you fishing , there is always a bed and the jug takes but a few seconds to boil.

Frank

April 18

Thanks guys for all your support. I didn't mean it to be all doom and gloom it's just that I have come to the realisation that I just can't do the things I use to be capable of doing.

Life goes on and once I get my mobility scooter my outlook on life should improve.

Nothing I like more (other than fishing) is being in my shed welding some project Or making something on the lathe etc, next best thing is talking with you guys and getting to know a few of you personally and becoming good friends.

I don't know what I will end up doing with the Pride boat, might get to use it some day.

Stay tuned for things I will be selling, lots of stuff that some of you might want.

Frank

April 18

Hi all. Well I think my fishing days are coming to a end . My breathing has got to a point where I can't do much at all.

I have sold the Quintrex 14 footer with trailer and also sold the Savage Scorpion. Have also sold a heap of fishing and boating gear that will never get used by me.

I have bought a new computer and I am happy with the way it is working, sit most of the day behind the screen watching Utube and the rest of the day sitting on the front verandah watching the world go by. I have a golf course at my back fence and a play field in front so lots of activity going on pretty well all day long, I often spend many dark hours sitting on my swing seat on the verandah.

I still have the Pride gazelle a 5.5 glass open boat that I have done some work to but still lots to do, and I don't know if the work needed will ever get done. I have a good mate that loves his fishing and we have been sharing our passion for the past 40 odd years but he has a business to run and has a family which he needs to show attention to so his fishing time is very limited.

I find it hard these days to just go down to my local shops at Berala and in fact I needed my partner Val to come with me to the computer store to carry my old computer.just going to get a hair cut or similar takes planning and a lot of effort for me.

SO I have bought myself a cheap Mobility Scooter to allow me to go places I can't walk to. I bought a electric scooter about 12 months ago thinking that would be a good idea rode it up and down the street twice and decided I looked and felt stupid on it so that has been sitting in my bedroom since, the battery has never been charged only used portion of the charge that was in it when bought.

Anyone want a cheap Scooter ?.

I have a garage full of stuff I need to get rid of so will be putting heaps of items for sale in the very near future.

Thanks for reading.

Frank

April 8

thanks, if you see me on tomorrow you will know it worked. Frank

April 8

Hi my main power will be cut off tomorrow from 8am to 4pm for schedule maintenance.

I have a 1000 amp hour Inverter and a 150 amp hour battery ( hope fully charged ) .

Will this be enough to run computer & monitor for the period that the electricity will be cut off.

Frank

April 4

Bermagui for me, Karumba probably 2nd choice and Harvey bay 3rd. Anywhere on the coast that has good boat ramps.

Frank

April 3

Apart from the Dory those longfin Perch are the sweetest fish you will ever eat. Enjoy

Great days fishing, well done.

Frank

April 2

I had a old B S A push bike when I was young for memory it had 3 speed gears. Was as heavy as all get out, black and had mud guards chain guard rear carry rack and lights. I later got a sports Speedwell and the weight difference was enormous.

Frank

April 1

Yes ok to eat if that's your thing. I have caught dozens of the bloody things and just let them go . They are a very common pest as far as I m concerned.

I have been eating fish caught from the bay since I was 9 years old, 77 years old now and still kicking and apart from breathing difficulties pretty healthy.

Frank

March 29

The words " best and cheap " should never be used in the same sentence.

Sure catch brand from the big snake would be my pick.

Frank

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