Fish_More

Have a canopy on the back of one car with a reversing camera on it. All you can see with the boat connected is the front of the cabin of the boat. Have fitted some wider towing mirrors this weekend and might see how they go before doing too much more investigation.

I do a fair bit of long distance towing due to where I work and live and where I want to fish. Has anybody fitted a rear-view camera to there boat. Something that gets submerged is not going to last long so was thinking wireless of the canopy? Keen to learn from your experience?

Absolutely agree with the don’t drink and drive. Found this on RMS website Random breath testing (RBT) and random drug testing (RDT) can be conducted on the operator of a vessel while it is underway, including drifting. RBT and RDT do not apply when a vessel is moored, berthed or at anchor. https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/offences-penalties/offences.html#Alcoholanddrugoffences Was planning on going to Crowdy next weekend and was going to come back to harbour and tie up for the night.

What is your view about having a drink while you are out on the water? I love a beer as much as anyone, however generally when I'm out for a fish for the day, I will not even take a beer with me. I would prefer just to have nothing than be worried about am I under the limit or not and also you are responsible for the other people on the boat. Would prefer to save it until I got home or back to camp to have a few cold ones. I have slept on the boat a few times while anchored in a bay. Along the theme as enjoying a few cold ones after a fish, I have had a few beers but always try to remain under the limit. Same reason, you are responsible and also you never know what could happen. In fact, one night was anchored and a big storm hit, anchor kept dragging and needed to go find somewhere more sheltered to anchor. If I was over the limit or did not have my senses, I would have been stuffed given it was life jackets on and white knuckle stuff. Moving on to the actual question, what if you are tied up at a wharf? Do you think it is okay to have a few drinks and not be as worried about being under the limit?

I know a forecast this far in advance is no use other than to wipe your bottom with, however if the weather is half this good, I'll be heading to Crowdy Head the weekend after next!

Don't think the longreach is there everyday. It was there the most recent time I used the ramp but was not there the previous time.

I have used the Coffs ramp a couple of times over the last year. I went out when it was pretty much low and the prop just touched. Boat is a 6m with 150hp so I image similar draft. Last time I used it was in November 2020 and the main think to look out for was the longreach excavator that was there making the channel a bit bigger. My view, if there is too much surge at the ramp, you probably don't want to be outside anyway.

Agreed, was a bit of a hike back to Berry, but after you have been in the car for 6 hours, what is another 40 minutes. I did go to the camping area at Currarong, but they had a no vacancy sign out the front. I was willing to sleep in the boat at the ramp, but my 9 year old son was not keen, so had to try to find somewhere else.

Did not get away from work as early as I would have liked and had a few hold ups along the way, so did not get to Callala Bay until after dark. Did not feel like using a ramp I had not used before in the dark so tried to go around to the camp area at Honeymoon Bay (by road) to camp for the night. Got around there and the military area was closed. Trying to find somewhere to camp with a boat at 10pm at night was challenging. Ended up back up at Berry Showgrounds. Fished Saturday. Went for a motor over to Bindijine and agree ramp looked interesting. There are also a couple of moorings in Bindijine. Looks like it would be a good place to anchor/moor for a night. Fished Middle Ground. Plenty of activity and bait but only one good snapper for the young fellow. Re closed ramps, the Wollamia ramp was closed on Sunday for the Huskisson Tri. Great weekend had spending time with my son.

Agreed, you missed a cracker day on Saturday. Was down at Jervis Bay and does not get much better for wind and swell.

Thanks Noel and Green Hornet. I think I'm ok at Bindijine but can't go too far south.

Thanks Noel. Will give Callala Bay ramp a go and work around to there for the night. If the weather is not too bad, will try the squid along the way.

Thanks Noel. Was not going to anchor in Honeymoon Bay, more where red pin is for Friday night. The forecast for tomorrow night is not great but Saturday morning is pretty good. Was going to spend night on water Friday night anchored sheltered abs be ready for an early start Saturday morning.

Hi all Thinking of heading to Jervis Bay tomorrow night for the weekend. Have googled there is a boat ramp at Bindijine Beach just north of Honeymoon Bay that is an across the beach launch. Has anybody used it and how would I go with a6m platey and a Prado to launch it? Thanks Mark

Ron & Scratchie- definitely dual batteries. Plan was to leave both connected during the day to get charge from to motor and then once anchored for the night, switch to one only Scratchie - good point on auto bilge. The current one is manual only. Lowrance HDS units have an anchor alarm, but didn’t want to draw that much power all night so was just going to use an app on my phone. Have done this before and went off in the middle of the night and was just swinging on the anchor. Pickles - thanks for the idea and might have look into a jump starter pack.

We have had a rod bounce out of a rod holder while going along. Luckily it was a kiddy rod that will not be overly missed, other than the fact it was a small alvey reel.

Thanks Noel. Sort of trips I would do would generally would be leaving home Thursday or Friday night and returning Sunday afternoon. Not Necessarily in the water the whole time , but that amount of time away.

Normally where thongs when launching the boat, but always seem to pull the plugs out of them when do it. Therefore always seem to end up in bare feet, but agree, some protection is probably a good thing. When have been fishing in cold weather have had socks and sneakers in the boat to put on.

Hi all Have stayed on the boat a few times but have decided it is time to set it up properly for overnight stays. Have acquired a portable gas stove, chemical toilet, swag each and some solar panels so I can run a fridge. Is there anything I need to be careful with when wiring up the solar controller. Was going to put from the panels to the solar controller to the batteries. Is there anything I need to be careful of when wiring to the battery, ie can I do any damage to the alternator in the motor. Would not thought so, but just checking. Also, would you recommend stainless screws or aluminium rivets for fixing the panels to the roof? Aluminium has the benefit of similar metal, however think stainless screws with insulating washers, loctite for insulation and nyloc nuts would be stronger. Anything else I should be thinking about for setting the boat up for overnighters. Sort of places thinking for an overnighter is Crowdy Boat Harbour, Broughton, Solitary Islands, Fitzroy Reef etc (I don't mind driving long distances!). Cheers Mark

Thanks Jocler. Might take you up on that but maybe I should come your direction if I do.

Thanks Joel

Are you land, boat or kayak based?

Thanks Joel. I don't get there until 16th January, but be interested to hear how you go! What sort of Hobie do you have? Have been tossing up splurging on a Hobie to get into vs going something cheaper to try it out and if really getting into it, then getting a Hobie.

Thanks everyone. Part of getting a kayak is so if the weather to get outside is not playing ball, can have a play in the river and lakes.

Agree it is not a 5 minute job in elapsed time terms but not much more than that in effort. Blow them up, leave for 24 hours, do the inspections, check weight of cylinder, fold back up. @JonD agree Crewsaver are very comfortable, but my research was that you cannot service them yourself and if you are not near a service centre it is a PITA.