[27Meg, Vhf Or Both]

Hi Raiders, after wondering which was more appropriate, the 27meg or VHF, I bought a GME GX300 Marine Radio as I only ever go close off shore or enclosed waters. I reckon a few raiders might interested in the broad view, so here is the question.

Marine Radios

27meg, VHF, or both

Rgds

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Epirb Laws]

Alan. If your not already aware , it would be worth checking through this list to ensure all items are covered

http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/sbh/safetyequip_tables.html

In respect to fire extinguishers they need to be checked & a tag stamped every 6 months. If the extinguisher is older than 5 years , it's cheaper to replace it with a new one than having the unit striped down & pressure tested

Maritime are also checking nav lights , especially anchor lights. The current rules state ,

** 360 degree display. This means 360 degree above the higest point on the boat , eg canopy / bimini / cabbin etc. Not the deck or gunnal

** Light not to be less than 1 mt above the port / starboard light

** The light to display for a distance of not less than 2 miles. To acheive that , LED are recomended

Geoff

Hi Geoff, does this mean that we have to have an additional light to the stern light that towers over everything else?

Rgds

Dhutchy

[No Transmission]

Dhutchy,

there is a 294 in the swap and sell

by achjimmy

maybe good for parts ??

Thanks Rooster and the rest of you guys - but I have decided an upgrade is timely. I have gone out and bought the 27meg GME. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet, because I have been a bit busy. Now I am wondering if should just bite the bullet and opt for overkill and go for the more powerful VHF version

Rgds

Dhutchy

[Back From The Dead!]

Good on you Mrs Swordie for coming back and thank goodness for a husband with the knowledge to provide such great assistance.

All the best may your recovery be swift and all your lines tight

Rgds

Dhutchy

[Boat Service And Problem Not Fixed !]

Mate, when this many blokes, with this many different boats, with such broad expereince are, for no other reason than pointing you towards a solution, saying take it to Huey's and the pain will be over...There's a msg in there somewhere. Take it to Huey's

Good luck with it

Rgds

Dhutchy

[No Transmission]

Hey pinta_vay_pirates, eddie and fishingrod, thanks for your responses. I reckon if i was going to get a VHF system, getting accredited and proficient should be part of the exercise. Its kinda pointless having the device and not being able to use it properly. But as my boat is only 5 metres in length, and as my kids aged 4 & 6 are usually on board I only go enclosed waters and close offshore.

Given that, I will probably go for the 27 meg option - save the money and wait until more serious off shoring is an option before I go the VHF.

Thanks again for your contributions to this thread

Rgds

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[No Transmission]

Hey Fishingrod (what a great callsign), thanks for your comments they all make good sense. I do have access to some IT types - but as the unit is approaching seven years of age, I reckon I might just upgrade to the 27Meg version.

Thanks very much

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Warning Beeper Comin On After Period Of Use]

Fisher Jay, cut your pain and aggravation and tow your boat up to Huey at Huett Marine. They will find it and fix it and you can be confident that its done right. They are on the Pacific Hwy at Cowan and what they don't know about boat engines is not worth knowing.

It'd be better getting it done write, than being out on the water stranded or doing further damage.

Rgds

Dhutchy

[No Transmission]

Hi Raiders, my marine Radio, a GME GX 294, doesn't seem to be transmitting. I have spoken with GME and discovered that they no longer make mikes for the GX294 or the GX558. So I need a new radio, should I purchase 27 Mhz or VHF? What are the pro's & cons , would only be using it in enclosed waters or close off shore.

The current 27 Mhz model is the GX 300 which sells for $154.90 . The VHF version , GX 600 is $249.00.

Many thanks

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[A Jewfish & Kingfish Session On The Hawkesbury With Mik Aka Boofhead 21/1/2010]

Hey Byron, great report. Sorry to hear about your back still giving you curry. Hopefully, with the right treatment it is going to come good really soon. You dedication to fishing (through the pain and other aggravations) is a great encouragement to us all.

Rgds

Dhutchy

[Fishraider Brains Trust]

If it's the modest member I think it is Dhutchy loyal friends don't come much better than this bloke especially at times of need

Cheers

jewgaffer

Byron, I reckon you're on the money there. We exchanged a couple of stories and he grimaced a bit talking about a favoured rod and reel of yours that went over the side the other day. But I gotta say that this gentleman, and the others I have struck through Fishraiders, is what makes the site so valuable. I hope the lost rig is replaced without too much pain.

Rgds

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Fishraider Brains Trust]

G'day Raiders,

I just wanted to post a quick note praising the value of the FishRaiders' Brains Trust. Sure its great for trying to find, catch, and eat fish, but its also great for helping maintain and improve our boats to be safe and seaworthy.

Recently, I posted Questionable Electrics, calling for advice on why my Quinnie's Electrics seemed to be having a case of the nah-nahs - intermittent failure of fish finder/gps, no bait tank pump that sort of thing.

A legendary, but modest raider (so I won't name you here mate), entered into a lengthy and detailed email thread with me (a technical knucklehead) advising how to diagnose, and repair. After this process bogged down, he then took time out of his Saturday to come to my house to ensure the diagnose and subsequent replacement of faulty pump. He even had the appropriate catalog, with the appropriate part, in stock from supplier to chase down.

Not only is the fault rectified, I am now more able to attend to such faults if there is reoccurence. Plus he saved me from giving money to auto electricians.

So I thank him and once again I thank Fishraiders for creating such a great community

Regards

Dhutchy

Its NOT just about catching fish, but it helps

[Questionable Electrics]

Dhutchy The power to the moter is seperate to the accessories so it is possible for one to work & not the other.

First , check the connections at the battery & battery switch to ensure the are clean & tight but it sounds like a loose connection for either the positive or negative at the terminal block.

The terminal block , normally mounted under the dash near the switch pannel , has 2 posts where the power from the battery is connected then distruibited to the switch pannel.

Check all the other connections under the dash to ensure the are tight but suspect it will be the terminal block

If these are found to be tight , check the fuses

Geoff

Thanks Geoff and Mr Rob for your suggestions... I will follow your advice. Checking the battery is easy as, but the electrics behind my dash is a bit spaghetti-like. Geoff, checking fuses, is it just a matter of pulling them apart and sight checking or is it a multimeter job. I reckon you might be right with fuse/terminal block, I will keep you posted...

Thanks again

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Questionable Electrics]

Hi Raiders, motoring down the Manning River today, out of Taree, and my Humminbird failed several times, just shut down, it appeared to lose power. Plus my recirc pump for my bait tank just didn't fire up at all However the boat (Quintrex 500 Freedomsport with 90hp two stroke) started no problem, each time every time.

My hunch says wiring or switching or battery, but I reckon battery (dual 12v - but several years old) is unlikely since boats overall performance seems fine.

Any suggestions?

Also, Raiders if you are wearing anything like CROCS on the main ramp at Taree, as I was today, expect to slip and probably fall as I did.

Many thanks to the two fishos who helped us retrieve the boat.

Rgds

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Its All Good]

Hi raiders sorry for the late report, but had pics in her phone. Went out in beautiful weather from Appletree Bay on Sunday. On board was , me, little dhutchy and littlelist dhutchy, little dhutchy's mate and his dad.

Motored out to Flint & Steel and a couple of class I managed to land the flattie in the pic. Shortly after the kids were too restless, and LD's mate was turning green at the gills, so we had to hightail it across to Patonga for lunch and frolicking on the beach, which the kids loved.

The rest of the day was pretty much just motoring around. LD's mate's Dad (a former pom dying for a boat) is now comitted its only a matter of time.

So only the fish for the entire session, but a 60cm flattie, early on ain't bad...

Regards

Dhutchy

It isn't just about catching fish, but it helps

[Boating Mishaps]

#24 Not checking trailer hitch at each stage of the journey - Whether it needs it or not

I used to just check list prior to leaving driveway, I now do it several times - prior to driveway, prior to ramp, after retrieve, and back at driveway.

Because, one day my check list was interrupted by my kids fighting like a couple of staffie terriers, and I missed checking the trailer hitch. It was fine, over speed bumps, public roads, the ramp, no problems.Coming back from the ramp on a narrow curvey road, one speed bump too many and trailer with my 5m Quinnie on the back pops off with a bang that echoed through the valley like the gong of the great god Buddha.

Safety chains held and it only dinged the wheel cover, but it could have been much, much worse.

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Bows To The Almighty Huey]

Yeah Rebbs, I agree with Jewgaffer. Huey is tops when it comes to service and care. I was very pleased to find him via the Fishraider site. Before Huey, I fell foul of an operator that was expensive, shonky and could only laugh when potentially dangerous errors it caused were pointed out.

Effective, competent servicing equates to better, safer boating and Huey, and his family have been boaties for years. He gets my vote.

Regards

Dhutchy

its not just about the fishing but it helps

[Near The Airport]

The new one is pretty good, me amd my mate Ash launched from there a few weeks ago and hod no problems.

*Good parking

*Dual lane ramp

*good wharf to tie up to while ya waiting.

Good luck!

Hey Stewie, Jewiehaven, Pietro, Lumpookey thanks for your tips, and sorry for the late report.

Yesterday we took the kids out from the ramp that Stewie suggested, this was after two of our life jackets decided to jump ship. So somewhere on General Homes Drive there are two PFD1 jackets on the run, a kid's spare one and the new one.

Anyway we got on the water no sweat, went out and braved the wind and the chop off the runway, but with the 5m Quinnie pitching and tossing, we went back up the river, and parked directly under the the last gasp to one of the runways. I have never seen my 3.5 year old Dyl get so excited and so emphatically say coooooooooooooooool as when the big Virgin Blue went over us.

After watching jets land, we came back to the ramp in time to tow back a chap who had decided to launch his mate's boat without checking the petrol first. All in all a good joy ride had by all, so I just wanted to report back to you generous raiders and provide the news and thank you again for helping make my kid's day.

I should also tell ya that while we had no rods out at all because we were joy riding, at the back of the ramp, a bloke had caught 15 fair sized trevally off the third runway.

We will be back.

Rgds

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Near The Airport]

That would be the Cooks river ramp at Mutch Ave and you will have few problems there

Cheers Stewy

Thanks very much Swordfisherman. You have helped me have less worry on the day, which will help ensure a good day out with the kids.

Cheers mate.

Dhutchy

[Near The Airport]

Hey Raiders, I'm from over north and I am taking the kids and cousins for a joy ride near Sydney airport. What would be the best ramp, in terms of plenty of room, proximity to airport, not too much of theft risk...

The kids all want to see the jets come in.

Rgds

Dhutchy

its not just about catching fish, but it helps.

[Roseville Boatramp Now Has Water For Washdowns]

Hi sunnyboy1, I've looked at the pass however we take it in turns with tow vehicles & as the pass is for one stipulated vehicle we would have to purchase 4. This is the only ramp that we would have to use it at, as we mainly fish the Hawkesbury.

Regards Jeff

Rather than ROSEVILLE you could try the ramp at Appletree Bay, via Bobbin Head. Its still national parks, and you still need a pass or a ticket, but its not a bad ramp and its closer access to the Hawkesbury.

I reckon the only way you will get local government to act on a hazard, such as rocks impeding access to a boat ramp, will be for someone to sue the local government for the damage its caused to a boat and/or its crew. But that is expensive. Don't they (or Maritime) have a duty of care to ensure such faciliities are safe?

Rgds

Dhutchy

[Fishing In Rome]

You might get some luck if you either head towards the Alps for some sort of trout fishing or head south to the famed Almafi coast, where there is the port of Almafi, Positano, etc. Its a great drive anyway, but the coast rd is not for the faint hearted, narrow as, with steep drops to the sea side one one side and sharp shale on the other. But driving in Italy can also be great fun, you might find some sort of charter out of Amalfi or Positano, Its all beautiful. Give Rome and surrounds five days... and go back and do the almafi coast some other time.

Ciao

Dhutchy

[Boat Batteries]

i managed to break 2 of the batter terminal bolts wonder if there helping it lose connection ill replace them tomorrow and see how we go i did that a few weeks ago lol but yeh thanks for ur help guys ill let ya know how i go thanks for all ur replies

I had a problem with engine cranking sometimes and not, played with it and couldn't work it out and the good folks at Huett Marine, diagnosed a faulty solenoid in the ignition. Fixed, not a problem...

Rgds

Dhutchy

[Taree Tips]

Hey Thanks Jewgaffer, may your lines always be tight and your fish fat and heavy. Thanks very much for the tips, as long as I don't knucklehead it, I hope the reports I send after Chrissy will show great results. I am itching to get there now!

Cheers

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps

[Taree Tips]

G'day Raiders,

The family has scored up to three weeks in Taree (four mins from boat ramp) after Xmas and we will probably take the boat (Quintrex Freedom Sport 500). I have never fished there before so any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also what about the bar there is it as hairy as I have heard?

Many thanks

Dhutchy

Its not just about catching fish, but it helps