Hoods

Neil you used that "Photo" again!! The one with the steel post "set line"!! Don't you teach those coasters bad habits. I am looking forward to Nepot proving you all wrong. Though I think a "before and After" photo of his hair colour should be referenced as a time line!! Good luck Nepot

Seasons Greetings Raiders, I am going through the safety gear in the boat in anticipation of a future outing(s) and came across a rather sad looking First Aid Kit safely stored in the dark recesses of the Haines. It is in need of refurbishment and as it is a generic "kit" purchased off the shelf I am asking what first aid gear I should be including for off shore use?? It has the basics with wound dressing stuff and a small pair of scissors, some remaining band aids. I put some stronger pain killers in there some time ago - probably need replacing. But what items are really important to have on hand?? Thinking of hooks in fingers/feet, cuts etc anything else?? Thank Hoods

Have a look at "Adventures Adift Australia - it took me 2 years to build my dream boat" on YouTube for some ideas. A different hull to yours but a very thorough explanation throughout the process. If that is a hole down near the transom in the last photo I would fill it in and run a new access much higher up. If you go hydraulic steering you do not need access holes that low. You could built up the height of the transom as part of the project or consider a Jacking Plate or similar to lift the motor - on the basis the next motor is a longer shaft. Good luck.

Is that a Challenge Nepot??!!

Thanks for the report Zoran. Interestingly I stopped in at a big tackle shop on my way through Coffs on Friday to be advised that the water outside had "turned over" and was back to 19 degrees and dead. Sounds similar to your situation. Right before Christmas too!!! I suspect we will have to do the miles to get the smiles. Or Flattie tails for Christmas entre's

Agree. I have a Tyros 20 it is almost indestructible but more importantly it has a gear ratio of 5:1 compared to the TLD which from memory is a pissy 3.5:1. Cannot comment on internal as I have never had to pull the Tyrnos apart in over 15 years. I do not see the value in the tld's compared to the Tyros for an extra couple of dollars. The faster speed is really useful on mackeral & tuna & even Marlin up here. The TLD is far too slow. Internal engineering aside. Good Luck.

Come up to Forster, its 3 hrs from the start of the freeway at your end - lots of options and if its slow fishing I will take you out for (hopefully) an arm stretching. Bring good gear for the walls though plus your usual whiting/flathead in the lake.

OMG - Where's Big Neil - He LOVES Dollies and Flatties (BN I have some saved for you). I did not know about Kudoa parasite (mushy flesh) - always thought it was caused by poorly kept fish - no ice etc etc.

Fathers small boat at Bermagui was "making water". Had a look at it the other day. The front carpeted cover over the batteries had worn a hole in the hull. Evident after some time in the shed by the oxydisation on the outside of the Hull. Also small sinkers in the Hull are a cause of holes in the hull. Suggest you have a good look. And NO GLUE. Do it properly. Good luck.

Thanks for the report. I am always in awe of the purple hues on the Jewies. Good to see some about. They are great fun on bream gear. No river reports from the Manning but still some nice Dollies outside. What a weird year.

Good on ya Neil. Back into the swing of things!! Hope you continue to improve. There have been some nasties about this year. Impressed to see Silvers in the canal system. Love how you don't mention the Carp's future. Heading to Eucumbene in the morning. Talk soon.

We Trout fisho's love our trolling plates - so much more professional than a couple of bucketts cast out the back in the faint hope of achieving a consistent speed for trolling. My apologies GGG. The trolling plates are pricey. Given your situation with 15hp a drogue/sea anchor is quite suitable. Run it far enough behind that it won't get caught in the motor - thinking 10 feet. Tie it off both sides at rear of the boat. Happy fishing.

Looks good. Only problem with black is marlin bills scratches show up. But like a tractor - its no good sitting in the shed. Looking forwrd to more updates from both boats.

Hi Mate Thanks for the report. Fishing seems really slow compared to previous years. Even a couple of Raider visitors from down south fishing Forster, Old Bar & Camden Haven have noticed the lack of fish. A few local fished the Manning last weekend and also did poorly. The Bois at Forster talk about good flathead in the lower end of the system but this is not supported by other reports. Are the fish there and not interested or are they still further up the system??

Thank you for a great update on the journey. I wonder if Mercury are going to do the same to you as Ford?? Do Ford collect and sell your cars data like some others (thinking of Tesla employees sharing photos from someones car!!) Also it is apparent you may need some assistance with your rod/gear collection - you need more rods than rod holders in your boat IMO. (Keep your kids away from your Samaki's) My son & his mates fished in 150m the other weekend with water around 23* one of his mates brought some yellowfin down from the northern rivers the other day so plenty to look forward to with the new boat. Good luck.