fish2relax

Fishbones, How late in the season do you think they may turn up this year? After 3 years working my butt off I recently put in for all of July and half of August off. Plan on chasing these hard this year during this period and am hoping my timing is on the money. Cheers Ben

Pod, If the dealer told you that your car will be fine to tow it during negotiations than I would suggest you politly request he put that statement in writting prior to taking delivery of the boat. FYI I just typed "Baysport 545 boat weight" into google and the first item i opened up stated that the BMT is 1200kg. Add fuel, electrics, safety gear and you will be 1400 or more kg all day long. Alternatively request the dealer put it over a weigh bridge and provide you with a copy. Regards

Gary, PM sent Regards, Ben

+1 for Techni Ice. Bought a 200L from them 4 months ago. Full day in the boat with two bags of ice gets the drinks very cols ( even in such a large container ) and after 9 hours in the boat I used the Ice for drinks that night as it was 90% frozen in the bag still!! Tip - I bought from online shop direct of Teckni Ice and payed half what they were listed for. Delivery 2 days to my door. Regards, Ben

Rod, Good luck in your search. I will be moving up from my large trailable to a 30-38 Riv in the next 12 months and I regularily keep an eye on mooring fees around brooklyn to know what I am up for. Just be mindful to factor in cost of mooring and antifoul. Regards, Ben

Great write up Mako and thanks for the tips so far. A couple of more questions,what hook and leader size do you prefer when cubing and what type of connection to mainline and hook would you recommend? With thanks, Ben

Afternnon all, Went out for my first bottom bash of Browns for Blue eye on Saturday. Snagged the bottom on the 4th drift that saw the line break at rod tip thus ending the session, however prior to this felt as though we had a couple of hook ups ( confirmed with lost bait ) but the hooks did not stick. Hooks were Owner 8/0 circles. Just wondering if the hook size is appropriate? What size and type of hooks do you more seasoned Blue Eye guys use? Any help would be greatly appreciated. With thanks, Ben

Morning all, Last weekend went out wide and for the first time had some one else driving whilst i was sitting at the rer f the boat. Thought that the leg sounded like it had a whine of some sort. Asking others who are usually down the back all other trips if it was out of the norm and they said it has always sounded like that. So I placed my hand on the top of the leg ( alpha 1 ) and onto the coverplate that it held with 4 of bolts and it was very hot. Could not leave my hand on that plate for more than 3 seconds!! The side of the leg felt fine, it was just the plate. Boat was running at 20knt for an hour so dropped of the plane and it cooled down, took of and checked 15minute lter and it was hot again. Boat was last serviced at 80 hours and having just bought it I had a major service done dropping the leg off etc and giving it a full going over. Since thn I have done 50 hours to date. Only other point I note is that the gear drive oil resevoir has used about 100ml in that time. Motor is a 1.7lt mercruiser / cummins deisel. Is he tempreture of this plate excessive or normal? Always had outboards. Service departmnt that I deal with is closed today to have it looked at. Regards, Ben

Hi Gary, As per above here are the pictures of my hardtop. I am thinnking at a minimum I would need additional base plate to the top and underside of the hardtop. What are your and others thoughts on this? Sufficient regidity from doing this alone? Tight lines. Regads, Ben

Hi Gary, I got the approval from the wife last night so will be giving you a call on Monday to discuss. I would like your (and fellow raiders) input on the anticipated load to my roof caused by the riggers. I only have a fiberglass hardtop and it seems to be supported by the glass screen only? I will post a picture on Saturday and see what we can come up with in regards to some additional supports and larger plates to distribute the load. Seems resonably ridgid but would like to discuss. I am only 15 min away from you in Silverwater anyway so could possibly bring the boat down for a look next weekend. Talk soon. Regards, Ben

Thanks for the information guys, Just bought the boat 3 weeks ago so didnt want to take any risks and just picked it up from the mechanic who gave it a full major service. 2005 model so decided to get it all done, new timing belt, flush, thermostate and service. Hopefully it should run well now, next time out if the temp moves ill grab a temp gun and have a more thorough look at things. Have to wait until im on the water as it only happens under load Book reads 90 - 100 max whilst underload. I will keep you updated as to how it all goes. Regards, Ben

Dunc, its a closed loop system. Thinking it may be a sticky thermostate. Unsure but just want to check what everyone elses guage reads Cheers

Gents, Just wondering if anyone on here has a Mercruiser Cummins 1.7L Diesel in there boat? Reason I ask is I just purchased a Trophy 2052 and the operating temp whilst running gets to one line below the max after about 30min run time. If i back off to a troll it drops down one line. What does your boat sit on / show on the temp gauge when running. I run at about 3600 - 3800 rpm. With thanks, F2R

Shane, I currently have a Trailcraft 540 Profish and being a lergish side consol hardly get wet while under way -except while trolling offshore with a strong wind and chop comming directly from the port or starboard. But I can adjust that by altering course slightly. I have a heavy duty bimni installed from new and after having the boat a month I too wanted extra shelter so I got a set of custom clears made up with zippers attached to the bimni and studs on the gunnels to close off most of the boat (can drive with them on at 30knts too) However I have only used them once as they were a PITA to put on and store (not much storage space) so have been in the garage ever since. Even when I go outside I remove the bimni as it detracts from the boats original appeal (having full access) and the supports just get in the way. My solution is simple- I have a great set of wet weather gear that I use when I know it going to be showering. I'll take some photos tomorrow of the bimni up for you but the clears are stored elsewhere and cant give you a pic of them up. Guess what Im trying to say is that if you are undecided now I think you will regret the open boat purchace quickly just as I did to some extent as the constant beating of the elements does quickly become tireing Regards, Ben

Evopete, The bar at sussex is notorious as previously mentioned. I have spent a fair bit of time down there and have crossed the bar numerous times. However I havent been down there for 3 odd months now my parents went down over christmas and took my boat. My father reported that the bar was ner impassable at mid water levels. Over the years the entrance has been geting shollower and shallower as well as narrower. It is a ever changing sand spit aswell as for years I always did a dog leg run out to the North. However last time down it had pretty much changed to a near straight run out. Swell and sea wise you are fairly safe with the bar as it is verywell protected and I have never turned around due to swell on the crossing itself. OInly reason for not going through is because of water depth. Last time I went down their I was comming back in late one afternoon and after following the breakers in I powered over the top of the (small) whitewater I was following to find onle 4inches of water beneth me!! Came to a grinding halt but luckily after a couple of white wate came through it spun the boat around and I inched back out to sea to re align myself and come back. Own fault though as I knew it was bottom of tide and I had very bad sun glare. Trick is to watch the coastal patrol guys go though or follw another boat out. And try no to come of the plane to much while going out. I hope you are not to attached to the paint on your skeg! LOL Anyway its a great part of the world and good luck Ben

All, my boats been storeed for the last 6 months due to being busy with my house and work. Anyway im going for a fish tomorrow and monday so after I picked the boat up from where it was being stored and got home I noticed that oil has been seeping out of my leg. Motor has been stored in the down position and it is leaking out of a sump plug with washer on it on the right hand side of my motor. Got to it with a screw driver and tightened it by 1/4 of a turn. Seems to of stoped. Is this the top inspection hole? So I could of only lost the top 100ml? or is this the botom of the oil gallary and I couldl of lost a lot over time? Motor is a late '06 115 Yammie 4st. Any way of checking oil level? Im hanging for a fish but dont want to seize a leg in the mean time. Ben

Hi all, I believe this may even be my first post so first of G'day. We as above I have finally got a weekend to got fishing Due to buying a house and renovating the last time I had the boat out was for a few hours in early June and before that was the Easter weekend!!! So i'm hitting the hawkesbury on Sunday and Monday. Have been reading the reports section and am planing on drifting flint and steel and the road / railway bridges for some flathead. (C and R as myself and partner dont eat fish.lol although I tend to keep one for my dad to enjoy later). Will not be going outside as the crew I have (partner on Sunday and work mates on Monday) all turn green with swell. Just wondering if anybody else that is in touch with the river atm has any other sugestions? Im thinking maybe early on hitting the holes to the south of Danger island for a jew?? Your help would be appreciated as I do not think I will get another fish until January!!! If anybody see's a white 540 Trailcraft Profish on the water those days give me a wave. Tight lines, Ben