BFB

I think you would need to look at the structure of the boat. Most small aluminium boats would be using the seat to help strengthen the sides and removing a seat wouls cause to sides to flex. It is not something I would do without adding new support.

40 psi sounds to high to me for both the car and the trailer unless you are running light truck tyres. Best people to get advice from is a tyre place. If they are normal tyres 32psi will be plenty. Remember a car weights well over 1.5 tonnes and only has 32 psi tyre pressure without a problem. If you are running light truck tyres I think 40 psi will be too little.

Fished out of Port Kembla yesterday. Very rough and only managed rubbish fish, bonito, taylor, spike, etc.

I need some advice on anchors. Yesterday whilst out fishing at Port Kembla I straightened my reef trying to hold the boat. Obviously the anchor was too small but I have always found it ackward storing 2 different types of anchors on the boat and then determining what the bottom was like for which one to be used. So my question is: Is there a suitable anchor which can be used on all types of bottom structure so that only one anchor needs to be kept in the boat? For information my boat is a 5.2 metres Haines Hunter.

I am hoping that someone will be able to point me in the right direction. On Saturday I am going to put the boat in at Port Kembla with the hope of catching some snapper. I have tried a few different locations down there but have not been able to catch any decent fish. Would some of you experienced fisherman be able to PM some spots to try. Any help will be appreciated.

Just got back from Port Stephens. I did not do much fishing but saw some good catches of snapper come in. Also saw a nice bream caught of the wharf at Little Beach at the only place you are allowed to fish there. Good ramp at Little Beach but can get very busy.

I would say that by you getting an electric shock that your boat is an aluminium hull. The electric shock would be received by a wire shorting to the frame of the controls and you becoming the circuit to earth. I am not sure how the ignition switch operates but if it shorts the ignition in the controls when the switch is turns off the shock could be caused by a broken connection.

To add another question that needs to be clarified is when are you fishing "outside"?

Talk to Craig at Huett Marine. Just gave me a good deal on a great trailer.

I had a similar problem with a motor years ago. It turned out then that the "black box" for the ignition system was causing the problem. Check to see if spark is strong at low revs. Not having the right heat range plugs could also be causing the same type of problem.

Give Craig a call at Huett Marine. He just gave me a good deal on a great trailer. Good service all the way.

Unfortunately no fishing. Lots of great fishing spots but all access is well patrolled with security cameras, etc.

There have been people killed in boating accidents whilst fishing. People also die swimming in rivers, dams, etc each year. Maybe we should stop reporting about fishing in rivers and whilst on boats. Where do we stop or does this great web site just close down. Do you think it is only on this web site that information like places to fish can be found? All types of fishing can be dangerous. It is up to the people who participant in fishing to take notice of the dangers and take adequate precautions. The best we can do in this type of forum is to continually warn each other of the dangers of our sport and to take the necessary precautions.

When towing my boat, or trailer, I also carry a new set of bearings, seals and all equipment to replace a bearing with me. Just in case because you never know when a bearing may fail.

I think you will find that no normal insurance ever covers for mechanical issues. The same would go for car, boat or other insurance. You can obtain warranty insurance which will cover for mechanical issues but they do not cover for normal wear and tear.

I think the problem you are having is related to the transducer position. I would suspect that the transducer maybe located too high and is getting air bubbles between the transducer and the water. Check on the Hummingbird web site the correct arrangement for the transducer.

I do not want to start an argument here but am just after some advice. I am looking at purchasing a new boat trailer and just want some honest feedback on the brand(s) of trailers I should be looking at and those to avoid. My boat is a 5.2 metres Haines Hunter fibreglass with a 115 Etec outboard. All up weight most likely just under the tonne mark, but not exactly sure. I am looking for a trailer which is easy to load and unload the boat. I also prefer, when I have someone to help me, to be able to drive the boat onto the trailer. Any advice will be greatly appreciated but generally looking at pros and cons in regards to different manufacturers.

I have a VE Maloo. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Great for touring. great for towing. Vehicle has now done 85,000km and I have had no problems. At present I thinking about buying another one. You can find problems with any model of car if you ask enough people. Look at the sale figures and how many you see on the road. This should tell you something.

Tumra, my boat is more than 15 years old and have no problems getting insurance. The only problem I have encountered is if I want it insuranced for agreed value I need to get it valuated and, from what I have learnt, a lot of boat dealers can do this.

Try your Evinrude dealer. They make the correct ones to fit the ETEC with all correct badges, air holes, etc to suit your engine. I have one on my 115 ETec.

Watching and reading fishing articles they often talk about using doubles like plaits or bimini twists on their main line. My question is why would you use doubles and when do you use them? Also which type of double do you prefer to use. Any help in this area will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Brian, A UHF radio is used by 4WDs, trucks, farmers, etc. It is not normally used in boats and, to the best of my knowledge, not monitored by any of the Emergency Services. A VHF radio is the way to go.

You do not need a transformer or anything to run LEDs on your trailer. I would be looking at the arrangement of the wiring for your plug. Especially look for any joints which are not good. Is the plud wired up correctly? Especially if the LEDs on the adaptor do not light up I would start by loking at a problem with the vehicle wiring or plug socket. It may not be wired correctly.

Also check around where sterring cabling, etc comes from engine into hull. My boat gets water in via the tube for the sterring and cables. Not a lot but about 2 to 3 litres per trip. Nothing I am concerned about.

Hi Wes,I have an 115 E-Tec which operates at a high temperature when trolling. This is normal as the motor is pushing hard without much water flow. So long as it does not go into the red or alarms sound it will be alright. Just like a car engine heating on a long pull but not overheating. Same principle.