Dreamtime

Absolutely! Love to see a photo gallery posted up. Always a pleasure to view your posts Hodgey. Cheers Carl

Sorry to hear. These people think they have a greater need for your gear than you do! Would it be possible that they may try and sell it on E Bay? Worth looking.

It's a bit of a sad state of affairs these funeral pyres in India. Depending on the wealth of the family dictates as to how much timber one can afford to buy, to do the "cremation". Needless to say, the poor can barely raise enough funds to purchase suitable quantities of " fuel" to all but char the body. The remains of the cremation are then disposed of in the river - not necessarily ashes to ashes.

Take 5........... The Police are a dedicated unit, on duty 24/7. What would the waterways, roads, etc be like without them? For the sake of 5 bucks - why wouldn't you have a torch in your bag? These guys are speaking from experience, they don't let any old jack become a member of the Water police. Imagine this, total darkness, zero visibility, but yes you have to dive to search for a body, evidence or the like and feel your way. WTF??? Do you really think these guys get a kick by allegedly "harassing" inocent fisherpersons? I'm certain that they would be much happier applying the skills and character that they have developed to become law enforcers, rather than pissing around checking the legality of ameteur fisherpeople. Believe it or not, we must have condoms in our first aid kit here or marine will put a detention order on the vessel. This is then copied to the Police. Conform - or stay at home, go play golf - what's the big deal. Personally, I get a real kick being inspected and knowing that I have all and sundry fully covered in my safety equipment requirements. Police, MSB, Waterways - they are all human beings, and from all my good experiences with them, there generally a great bunch of guys and girls just doing the job that you are paying them to do. Chill out, if you abide by the rules, then you will have an enjoyable day on the water - don't - then you will find your own answer. That's my 2 bobs worth and a few more!! Cheers

Nothing wrong with becoming another banana bender. Born and bread in Sydney, I spent 2 wonderful years living in Qld. Caught some spectacular fish on a regular basis. The meter maids aren't to bad on the eyes either

What is your budget. I am also one of the converted - there is Furuno, then there is Furuno. The Furuno units I use, have as a standard feature, heated housings which prevent moisture build up inside the unit. This condensation is one of the biggest sicknesses when it comes to navigational electronics. As mentioned by Mike, these high volume, consumer oriented sounders are generally made in China and do not have the R & D expertise that has been earned by Furuno for many decades. It all comes down to price. But don't forget longevity. Cheers Mariner

I think I would be leaning towards an epoxy rubber paint for under the floor. This will cure two problems. Firstly, it will add some soundproofing to the hull and secondly, and more importantly, it will provide the insulation barrier you are looking for to prevent sinkers and the like degradating the integrity of your hull. With most anti-fouling paints they have a "life" limit with regards to the time applied before immersion occurs. Some may be as little as 24 hours, but there are some that are good for up to 3 months (top dollar) before the integrity of the preventative additives begin deteriorating. I actually haul down my boats from the slipway when the antifouling has just become "touch" dry. This may be within 2 hours of the final coating. Food for thought. Cheers Mariner

Definately the clicker These reels were manufactured by Jarvis Walker under the Penn Logo in Australia. Good luck

Looks like a great day been had with some ladies who like to fish. Nice work. Surprised that the lobster was not tagged and released

I have 3 of the Icom IC-M32 handheld. It is also waterproof to 1 or 2 metres. I've dropped them on the cement a few times and they still work. EDIT - SORRY JUST CHECKED THE MODEL NUMBER. IT IS IC-M32 (NOT IC-38)

There's nothing like a V8!! Go the General.

The best spotlight for a trailerboat is a rechargeable job. These units can also be recharged from the cigarette lighter socket in your car. Check this link - 10 million candle power rechargeable for around 50 bucks. http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/10-million...le-spotlight-1/ Cheers Mariner

Life is special indeed, to give breath to a newborn of your own cannot be equaled to anything else. Congratulations, and good luck, good life and best wishes for the future. Some pics would be nice though. Cheers

Take a tip from a bottom basher with diced fingers. Nothing a bit of bicycle tube or adhesive bandage (elastoplast) wont fix. If you have trouble with the little-uns fingers being too small for the bicycle tube then look out for the tube from a racing bicycle - much smaller diameter. Otherwise, you all have rolls of adhesive bandage in your first aid kit. Food for thought. Cheers Mariner

Geeze Ray, When did you move to Cucumber?

It's amazing what money can buy. How can the tide turn inside out in 12 months. Both these teams beat some pretty worthy opponents during the year. Then this is what it all comes down to - grown men crying in front of 80,388 live fans and millions worldwide. You guys say soccer players are good actors! Melbourne players definately studied their lines - what was the TAB paying??? Understanderbly the 1975 Grand Final Victory by the Jack Gibson, Arthur Beetson Roosters, was a culmination of a record 19 wins in a row (during the regular season) by the Roosters. They were never going to loose the main game. Melbourne sold their soul!!!!!

Try this link. I used the larger panels in my boat so everything is on the one board. Lights, horns, bilge, gps, etc. Add to this the neat appearance. Huey should be able to source them for you. http://www.bepmarine.com/Panels-DC---No-Meter-186.html Cheers Carl

That's a serious drive from Winston Hills. I think I'd be looking at putting in at Georges River National Park if I was travelling that far and weren't familiar with the Georges. At least from there you would be fishing at the Moons, Lugarno, Oatley or Como areas within minutes. Not only that, but a lot less distance of unfamiliar river to navigate. As David says, a lot of fun can be had by all at low tide around the moons - used to get a good supply of nippers there - don't know if they are still there though - maybe other raiders could advise. Good Luck

Definately weird weather indeed. Batten down Raiders - this sounds like a "mini cyclone" Something to do with the "as long as that eddie of hot stuff stays" Ross Hunter talks about??? Or just put it down to El Nino? Good Luck

I think the Symetre would be a little light on for 10 & 12 kg Ugly Sticks. Penn Spinfisher 650 / 750 / 850 for around $125 or the 950 for $150 would be my choice. PM sent Cheers Mariner

There's 4 or 5 flights a week from Brisbane. The carriers are Our Air, Air Vanuatu, Air Nauru and a couple of others. Last fare I bought was for the shipwright in June. That was $600 from memory, add your connection from Syd/Bris then that's about it. Pretty cheap holiday! Don't worry to much about the travel warnings, I've brought my mother up for the last few years and even her sister last year. They are in their 70's and weren't stressed out. I'm generally pretty busy for 2 or 3 days a week, but can be available to fish the other days. Even when I,m not available my local captain and engineer would be able to take the boat on their own. There is also world class diving available from Honiara, or for a few dollars more one could go to the western province. Offer open to all Raiders, just give me at least a month's notice. Cheers Carl

G'day Mathew, The larger boats (70 & 75 footer) are available for charter, however they generally sit idle for a week over xmas when we traditionally go celebrate with staff and families at some of the nearby islands. I have another 33 foot aluminium "work" boat that also would be suited for cruising come fishing but does not have the appointments of the Mariner. Any Raiders with an idea to visit here in Honiara would be most welcome to come out with me free of charge, any time of the year, in the 31' Mariner or 21' Robalo. If you don't mind a squeeze, you can stay at my house also free of charge. I have one Raider and his partner already booked to arrive here on Boxing Day returning a week later. I have one charter booked on the 18th November till 8th December from a Professor out of Las Angeles. He is counting and monitoring dolphin activity for the Government. Apart from that date, most other times the vessel is available for my private use. Saying that though, yes the vessel is available for charter if persons wanted to fish solid for longer periods of time. PM me for rates. I have enough fishing gear to equip a small army. No need to bring gear unless you want to fish lighter than 8kg.

Insurance is a bit of hit and miss here. The premium can be as high as 10 to 15% of the value. In fact I have no insurance on any of my vehicles, vessels, businesses or houses. It's all about risk factor. Most of the gear was repairable, however I chose to replace with new. The vessel was never fitted with air conditioner and generator. With the engines mid - mounted, and the extended cabin, it gets quite hot inside when at anchor after the engines have been shut down. This way the genset can be run whilst at anchor to maintain climate control in the cabin and sleeping quarters. It will also keep the fridge running which will keep the beer cold. I have changed the 3 way fridge for a standard 240 volt bar fridge. I am a bit of a nut when it comes to back up equipment also, hence the generator. I have been stranded before with flat batteries after a weekend with stereos, etc running. There are 2 solar panels as well to trickle charge the batteries. The bow rail was fine also - I had this new one made up to a larger diameter which more suits the size of the boat. I also had the "duckbill" shape added to the front of the bowrail. The 80 litres paint is for my other boats here - the hardware continually runs out of stock. We have purchased International 2 pack polyurethane paint for the Mariner and it will be applied with the 10 litre spray pot listed. I am starting to get quite excited about the outcome as it is getting closer. The shipwright who is doing the job recently completed a repower and refit on a 34 Mustang which made it on the front cover of a popular boating publication. Hopefully the Mariner will end up in a similar condition. Cheers Carl

Marine Notice Construction works are to be undertaken in relation to the Sydney Desalination Project at Lady Robinson Beach Kyeemagh commencing 7 October 2008 until approximately May 2009. CONSTRUCTION ZONE / SPECIAL EVENT AREA NSW Maritime has designated the construction works to be a Construction Zone and Special Event Area (‘the Area’) for the purposes of Clause 10A of the Water Traffic Regulations NSW. Mariners are advised that the Area; is comprised of the waters enclosed by an imaginary line drawn from the juncture of Bestic Street and General Holmes Drive Kyeemagh extending due east into the waters of Botany Bay for a distance of 400 metres, and from that point an imaginary line drawn north and roughly parallel to Lady Robinson Beach Kyeemagh for a distance of 200 metres to the eastern tip of the Cooks River groyne wall (navigation aid CBB006). will be in place from 7 October 2008 until approximately May 2009; will be marked with yellow special marks (yellow buoys) at all times, and lights at night; and is hereby declared a NAVIGATION HAZARD. Vessel operators must observe the buoyed off area and remain well clear of the construction works. DIRECTIONS The General Manager Recreational Boating and Regional Services of NSW Maritime, pursuant to Clause 10B of the Water Traffic Regulations - NSW directs that; Vessel operators must not enter the Area and must keep clear of any service craft and equipment; and Vessel wash in the waters adjacent to the Area must be kept to a minimum. GENERAL Persons operating vessels in the vicinity of the Area are reminded of their obligation to: maintain their vessel speed at no more than 4 knots within 100 metres of floating plant or work in progress; keep wash to a minimum; and maintain a proper lookout at all times. MAPS & CHARTS EFFECTED NSW Maritime Map 9E & 9F Admiralty chart – AUS 199 (Australia Wast Coast Botany Bay) Hydrographic Service RAN For further information concerning this Navigation Warning, please contact NSW Maritime Info Line 131 256 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm 7 days a week), OR NSW Maritime (Sutherland) 02 9545 4422 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm), OR Boating Service Officer Botany Bay 0418 460 293