Work On The Boat

[humesy]

G'day all,

When I get some extra $ together (god only knows), I would like to get some work done on my quinny 4.2 estuary angler. I have 4 jobs in mind.

1 replace the bimini which is no longer water tight with a model which folds back into the windscreen, not the deck.

2 put grab rails down each side so I can mount decent rod holders

3 put a rocket launcher on so I can store rods out of the boat

4 have the anchor light on the rocket launcher so I can mount another rod holder at the back of the boat.

I know of a welding shop in brookvale who have done good work for me in the past. Does anyone know where I might get the bimini done, preferably on the northern beaches, reasonably and reliably. Perhaps there is even someone who can do all the jobs.

Cheers

[jewgaffer]

Hi Andrew

Where none of the work overlaps its best to tackle boat modifications individually and mimimise the work build up effect. You will save money by doing easy modifications yourself and avoiding the do it all in the one go and at the same boating modification shop philosophy.

The bimini is the more expensive item so it would be better to get that out of the equation first and to be of lasting quality it may have to be custom made.

You can easily add as many rod holders as you like without using a hole saw by purchasing stainless steel nut and bolt type grab rails which are under $30 each and hi quality stainless rail mount rod holders at around $35 each from fishing and boating shops such as our sponsors or failing that which is unlikely, they are available at Bias. My rod holders are U.S. made Tommy Marine s/s heavy duty bolt ons and 360 degree adjustable by Allen key. I have seen the exact same patented rod holders at a bass fishing specialist shop under an Asian brand name and our sponsors may stock them or should be able to get them in for you. Don't be concerned about fitting these stainless steel rod holders over alloy grab rails as I have used them on both stainless and alloy rails. You already have alloy rails and adding stainless steel hand rails and rail mounted stainless steel rod holders gives a boat a nice add on affect and additional quality.

There are several upholsterers who specialise in marine upholstery and are very experienced in adding storage rod holder units aka rocket launchers. I have actually seen these in component form at the upholsterers in good quality alloy and stainless steel. The material I would use for biminis or bow splash guards is acryllic canvas which is very long lasting and good value.

As to the electrical work, an auto electrician can do it in no time. It would pay you to supply marine cable and parts for him or he matches the cable if he carries marine cable.

While you're at it may as well add a four gang switch, a couple of four inch stainless cabin lights which cost about $25 each for inside work area and floor lighting in the Quintrex, keeping them further towards the floor than the top. Oh may as well add a good quality marine cigarette lighter insert, designed to fit a male cigarette lighter and for additional items such as spotlight, phone charger, cooker, kettle etc.

Throw those unstable plastic rod holders away so that you can engage the old sure hook up high pressure drag system that stops them in their tracks or at least slows the unstoppables on 80lb braid and the big penn 950's down a little

Hope this helps you Andrew and the minute its all set up grab old mate Mike Zenman and I'll be up there in a flash.

There'll be no problems spreading the rods and you'll have no hook spit outs on loose drag and no more exploding plastic rod holders and high flying rods to deal with.

I'll take some pics shortly of my Tommy Marine stainless steel rod holder rail mount units and post them up for you. They are 10 years old, still in top condition and there is only some slight staining around a couple of the stainless steel bolts.

Here is a photo

I have a total of 8 rod holders at the stern. Having a wide range of adjustments by Allen key, I have adjusted the rail mounted rod holders so that each line goes out towards the stern without any on the lines touching other rods or rod tips.

I have no problems with line bloom out in the fast Hawkesbury current, having aimed each rod holder outwards and progressively angled so that all lines drift away from one another. I use jew rods which vary in length the from 6'6" so as to have the shorter and hence lower rods for downriggers used under anchor and 7' to 9' and 10' rods as range finders. The lines finish up nicely staggered in distance and all lines settling nicely towards and behind the stern.

The factory inbuilts on the rear gunnel corners being angled at 45 degrees away out from the side gunnels provides the best mounting position for my downriggers and doubles for additional stern rod holders when not using the downriggers. I have another two factory alloy rod holders on the stern which are welded to the locked in bait and filletting table mounting poles.

Regards

Byron

jewgaffer

Edited February 22, 2008 by jewgaffer

[macka17]

Hi.

Only thing I'd add to that is. Lights... Spend extra and get LED type. They can be left on for a week, with no damage to battery. I know....

Good one is the clear trailer ones for trucks. Flat mount. Radiused (Half moon) and give a good light through cockpit when mounted at transom below gunwhale.

I use the little round self adhesive ones beside each seat. Touch front to turn on With knee. Touch again for off. Perfect for rigging. in right place. without stuffing everybody elses night vision.

Macka17

[njsconst]

If your after a quality bimini, not those cheap tacky pre-fab ones from Bias give the guys at ONSITE COVERS a call. They are more expensive then the crappy ones at Bias but thoroughly worth every cent.

They custom make the bimini at your house while you watch, out of their mobile workshop. The Bimini is custom made to suit your boat and your individual needs. They can also incorporate a alloy rocket launcher if you want. I used them and their quality & professionalism is second to none.

You wont be dissapointed. Check out their webiste (www.onsitecovers.com.au) and you can view some of their work/designs.

Nathan.

[inhlanzi]

G'day Humsey

PM me. I have someone who can do most of it.

Cheers

inhlanzi

[humesy]

Thanks all for excellent input. Plenty of options to investigate here, just a matter of saving $ now. Maybe I should identify myself to all tackle shop owners and insist that I be denied service next time I walk through the door. (I do like my new beach rod and reel though)

Thanks again, especially Byron and Mike. Maybe we can talk it all over while waiting for a jewie bite soon.