Sea Ranger

I seriously looked at one of these 1550's before buying my current boat. They look to be very well made. My choice in the end was it was a bit smaller and had a much smaller motor 60hp and cost the same as the boat I did buy. But if that Stabi is what you want it sure did look nice and well made. Bear

I'm envious still.......

+1 on Paddy's advice.. OK Paddy fess up did you touch the leader with that marlin? Bear

Thanks mate

Good topic this one. I’m doing my self checks tonight. I have 3 Marlin inflatables purchased last year and one Ballistic purchased in 2007/8. To be honest I haven’t really been all that good at inspecting my Ballistic model other than to check the co2 canister reasonably regularly. Now that my family fishes with me I’m going to continue annually as required with full proper inspections. I cannot find Ballistic and assume they are no more or have changed names. It is in good nick and I can’t see why I could not continue to use it if it works and passes Marlin’s inspection process. Anyone know about Ballistic. I can’t remember where I bought it but think it was a box store. Bear

I’m sure there will be plenty of replies to this question. My 2cents Lowrance is a top brand so hard to go wrong there. I’ve had Lowrance sounders on several boats and they have not given me any trouble. That said I’ve not owned any of the models you suggest. I have a mate who used the elite TI on his yak till he rolled it and didn’t have it closed properly or wires not tight or something and it didn’t like the swim. He replaced it with a 7 HDS model and thinks it is heaps better. I currently have a Garmin 75sv and I cannot fault it yet. I find it intuitive and easy to see in the sun. It came on my boat. Garmin recently purchased Navionics so I imagine it won’t be long before Garmin has Navionics available on it’s units too. For Sydney use I find the Garmin maps very good and would not need the Navionics. I compared my iPad running Navionics to my Garmin and thought them much the same. Different areas seem to favour one brand or another. I have no experience with Raymarine I’m sure others will chime in. Furuno might be something to look into as well. Are you installing yourself or getting someone to do the work? If having someone else I would see what brand they carry as warranty work if needed would be easier. cheers Bear

Nice fish. I do much the same by trying to get my boy or Mrs the best fish.

I have always avoided that area due to the sanctuary and refuge zones. So you are just east of the zones. Thanks for the tips

Love the artwork Zoran !!

Where did you get that Jon?

Nice catch mate. I want to get out crabbing myself. I usually fish the Hacking so can’t use traps. I might have to try the Hawkesbury soon. Keep up your videos

I assume that you are talking about your anchor rode being spliced together? those particular clips come in 2 sizes small and large depending on line size. I guess it would depend on the diameter of your splice?

I think that answers your question. What size boat are you talking about?

Nice new boat mate. I know you have been looking for a while glad to see you found something you like Bear

I don't really set the hook, maybe I do subconsciously but certainly don't make a big effort of it. Good sharp hooks seem to work with braid. Not using a net could be some of it I could not tell you how many fish I've had shake the hook in the net as soon as the pressure is off. Since changing from bait to soft plastics almost exclusively I have noticed less swallowed hooks (ok none) with soft plastics vs bait. This also means that a lip hooked fish (on soft plastics) has a better chance of shaking the hook if pressure is let off. If one is used to fishing with bait and gut hooking lots of fish you can get away with letting the pressure off once in a while and still be hooked up. Using soft plastics you need to keep the pressure on till in the net. Good luck. Bear

We just had Solar installed in November and at the moment are in a unique situation as our power provider is dragging their heels to install a "Smart Meter" so we Still have the old spinning disk meter. In other words we sell the excess power back to the grid for the same cost as we purchase it, No BS Fits No difference in price for power etc. We have 6.5kw installed by a reputable company. We did not take the cheapest quote. Both my wife and I work shift work so our daily loads vary from daytime use to night time use depending on our shifts. Over the last 3 years of keeping track we use 23.5 kWh per day on average. Since November we have had 5 days where our system made less than 23.5kWh per day Most days run between 25kWh and 31kWh per day Over Christmas we ran 2 ovens all day baking goodies. Since we have guests we also ran the air con 24 hours a day since Christmas day. Fans lights with no regard to saving power. An interesting observation is that while our solar system cannot keep up with that kind of load day after day we are still spinning the meter backwards most of the time and we have not used any power since November (overall) according to our meter and it will be an interesting bill when they come to read our meter for January. We have called them to come out and install their "Smart Meter" several times and they say they are coming lol. If there is any scam in solar it is that we use less power than we generate over a 24 hour period most days, However I'm sure the utilities' smart meter will still issue us a bill when it comes in. A Happy Bear with Solar 🐻

who took the pictures JonD ?

Awesome pics !!! I sure don't have the experience to try that! LOoks like a good time

Fishin Blues is one of my favs I hum it all the time lol. I also like boyhood story by John Williamson

I totally agree with this. I always hear it has thousands of hours but still runs like new. I don’t often hear it only has a few hours but is decades old and runs like new.

Great idea mate

Merry Christmas Fab,, We gotta get out this new year and do some fishing!!! Bear

Still sounds like a top day fishing

My Mrs is doing the Pork Ham this year, She does it right swell too!!

I can't say I've had those dishes but they sound good!! The blue swimmers will be an awesome touch