JonD Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) Sorry removed post. Edited April 3, 2022 by JonD 8 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Geez Jon, that is some sea going venture that ended well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoods Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Great work and congraulations to you both (& the boat) on a fabulous run and community spirit. A timely reminder that we need to allow a lot more fuel to get home for changes in the weather. Especially if heading south. They should buy themselves and you lottery tickets On a lighter note the parents have arrived in Bermi following lockdown restrictions so I will let them know its all good for the 4 mile (Not). Please send picture of boat & motor. You should have taken the TruDee IV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmk1962 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Hats off Jon. What an amazing and heroic effort by you and your daughter. The Cootacraft crew are very fortunate to have someone like you to call. In the recent Maritime Safety survey I made the point that the most important safety factor in boating is skipper experience and suggested some actions they could undertake - and your story here hammers that point in spades. Nevertheless I am also impressed by how the 445 handled the 3m conditions and that it didn’t sink under the weight of your big b*lls ! You’re a champion. Cheers Zoran 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 In the defence of the Cootacraft running out of fuel, the new twin Suzuki engine gauges stated 75lt of fuel still in the tank. To top it off the owner had left his lights on in his LandCruiser troopy so I got to use my little lithium battery starter on a bigger engine, which turned it over instantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmk1962 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 16 minutes ago, JonD said: In the defence of the Cootacraft running out of fuel, the new twin Suzuki engine gauges stated 75lt of fuel still in the tank. To top it off the owner had left his lights on in his LandCruiser troopy so I got to use my little lithium battery starter on a bigger engine, which turned it over instantly. Champion again! Regarding fuel it sounds like it may have been the maiden run for the Coota. They say bad luck comes in threes - fuel, battery…..so I’m guessing no fish? cheers Z 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, zmk1962 said: Champion again! Regarding fuel it sounds like it may have been the maiden run for the Coota. They say bad luck comes in threes - fuel, battery…..so I’m guessing no fish? cheers Z Yes they had no fish but the day before they had been catch and releasing small bluefin all day around the island. Must admit both my back and my daughters are sore today and I struggled to switch off from it last night, partly because of how impressed I was with the boat but also how big a few of the waves were around Auginish reef just south of the island. I couldn't even wear a dive mask as I needed to see every wave and adjust accordingly, part of what I love about centre consoles is just how unrestricted your vision is from them. My old zodiac would of struggled coming off the waves into that head wind hence why we didn't take my daughters zodiac. Edited September 17, 2021 by JonD 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Great report. You never know what will happen when you go fishing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Ct Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Always good to help some @JonD. Good things come to those who do good deeds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, motiondave said: so whats a formula 15, a 445 , a zodiac world and a cootacraft? yes I know they are boats, but can anyone please be a little more specific or post photos. A 445 is reference to Haines 445 which is the same hull that the formula is but from. There are numerous haines boats such as the 146 etc which are all part of that same hull, some with small cabs and some runabout design going back many years and still regarded as great boats. They evolved from early Bertram 14 (or v 15) boats which still hold good value and make great rebuild boats. For me they are in that size category where you can use them for just about any style of boat fishing from rivers and creeks to offshore game. A few of the Bermagui lads use them for offshore game and have them fully setup with outriggers and tuna tubes etc.There are several modern manufacturers building boats under different names from these same hull moulds. Formula 15 Haines 445 lots of varieties in this boat Zodiac, mine was a 550pro inflatable and my daughter has the 500pro Cootacraft are mostly commercially built abalone boats with a similar hull to the Haines. My daughters zodiac My old zodiac Fishing a big bronze whaler in the zodiac The Formula 15 (445) one of the many Cootacraft designes Edited September 18, 2021 by JonD 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Super photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 wow great pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 What a great report Jon. You are a true gent getting out there to save somebody in serious distress. You are obviously a very proficient mariner who knows the absolute capabilities of his vessel. Amazing photos (as always), good onya Jon. bn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickmarlin62 Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 There are a few hulls that handle like a lot bigger boat 445s are a classic my vsea is another also milligan525s 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 I just had a run with my daughter to Montague for a quick snorkel searching for nautilus shells (found heaps). We were in her zodiac, a rare occasion for us to be in her boat together as she loves heading out solo. The wind picked up to 20kts for the run home and I was soon reminded just how good these deep v little ribs are in sloppy conditions. I was also pleasantly surprised on just how good my daughter has become at handling boats and driving to the conditions. Before she started skippering commercialy she was a bit of a rev head that liked nothing more than getting what ever boat she was in launched off waves!!!! In terms of ride the zodiac is far softer riding than my Formula, given that the fibreglass part of her boat is only 3,7m long they are incredible boats in rough conditions, only downside is the wind can blow them off the top of waves. Slipping past several boats in the 6m size on the run had us grinning with cheeky smiles!!!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 cant wait to visit the south coast Jon 6 weeks i hope 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Just wandering on topic a bit...Nautilus shells are common down there? I am not that far away and see/find one about every couple of years, I kind of like them, usually have a couple around the place, but haven't seen one for ages now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 4 hours ago, noelm said: Just wandering on topic a bit...Nautilus shells are common down there? I am not that far away and see/find one about every couple of years, I kind of like them, usually have a couple around the place, but haven't seen one for ages now. Its been a bumper year this year for them, we've been seeing hundreds each time we head out for the last six weeks. Many still have the squid like creature inside but most of the empty shells are damaged given how thin they are, that said my daughter has been bringing anything between 30-50 shells home from each time she's gone looking for them. These are the kind we are finding. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 We also saw this big chap while looking for nautilus. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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