bigbird

Wiseone, I think you might be waiting a while for a response, but to be fair, a guy down kiama way has a 6.4m plate boat with a 200hp e-tec (HO very thirsty, 200litres a day) that raises a few marlin but i have to say that the sound of the aluminium hull slapping on the water has got a little fish raising ability aswell it probaly sounds stupid, but who out there owns a e-tec powered fibreglass hull that catches fish on the troll regulary?? By the way the guy with the plate boat i was refering to is buying the same hull and installing a diesel sterndrive (80 litres a day) ready for next season marlin season. I would love ride in your Black watch if a spot is available. regards Matt

Wiseman, What sort of fishing are you into?? what speeds do like travelling at and your boat capable travelling at? i think your engine desicion should also take into account what type of fishing you are into. In my case i own a 6.5m plate boat and ran a 175hp carby 2 stroke for 5 years and was outfished trolling for marlin 20 to 1 and had no range to fish a 12hr day with 180litres of fuel. The long runs to browns and kiama canyons for bottom dropping would chew 150litres a day without trolling. Now i have upgraded to a 200hp honda and fishing last season i rasied at least a marlin every trip and most times raised more than 3 wether i was fishing Sydney, Kiama or greenwell point. I did not change the lures i run, positions, teasers, trolling speeds or places i fished. The 4 strokes seem to have a marlin raising hum to them at trolling speeds. as for fuel I have not used my 180 litres yet with 14 engines in one day on clock. In comparison my mate fished a haines 680sf with twin 150hp fihts last season most of the times next to us for 22 trips they raised 2 fish and landed 1!! The guy fishing in this boat owns a 6m plate boat with a 4 stroke inboard and has caught over 150 marlin in it so he knows what he is doing. As for servicing i change the oil every 100hrs (at a cost of $80) and get a mobile mechanic to do every other service which costs $500 with a new impeller. i hope this is of help and doesn't confuse things even more. If you have a spot on your Black watch next trip i would be interested in a ride. regards Matt