show us your boat

tex · 15-01-2008, 09:51 PM

OK, before anyone states the obvious, I know it's a car forum! And yes I am a car nut, own two V8's and a modded 6 - all Fords thankyou very much!

But, I'm sure there are others like me who have a second passion apart from the love of Ford, and that's boats, fishing and water sports.

So here's mine. I spend more time and money on this than I do my cars, so yeh it's important to me.

Specs:

6.8m plus pod, 2.55m beam.
Alloy plate - 6mm hull, 4mm topsides, 4mm cabin and 6mm deck
450lt fuel capacity.
1kw sounder, chart plotter, VHF, fuel management computer etc
Hull weight 1300kg.
BMT weight 2900kg.

Had this one built in 2006 to replace a 5.9m plate boat. I originally fitted a 225 4 stroke, but a few months ago brought a 250HP 4 stroke. She's no rocket, 39 knots (about 7o odd kmph) but I'll fix that soon by fitting another one. That's right, I'm planning to fit another 250 - and get some serious speed. Will be dissappointed if I don't nail 50 knots plus. In a big fat boat, that would be nice. And then my wife won't keep signalling me to go faster when I'm towing her around on the skis.

For those that don't know what sort of economy you get from these big cube 4 strokes - 4500 rpm = 28 knots for approx 45lt per hour. WOT (5700 with a 21" big blader) she guzzles approx 85lt/h. This compares to 105lt per hour I used to use @ WOT in my last boat with a 225 HP EFI 2 stroke Yammy @ about 45 knots.

I use it often (around 175 - 200 hrs per yr) chasing game fish all around Tassie. I do most of my fishing over and beyond the continental shelf, we reckon it's getting deep when the sounder is showing 500m... Right up and down the East coast, as well as a couple of trips each year down the South coast. Ive visited Maatsyker Island late last year, and go out into the Southern Ocean to Pedra Branca several times per year as well. This is an extreme place, located some 20NM off the Tassie South Coast. 5m swell are the rule, not the exception down there. Sorts the men from the not so men.

Next week I'm off to Flinders island for 5 days with a good mate camping (in the boat),fishing and a bit of shooting. Can't wate. My mate actually built this one, and the last, and he does an awsome job, really knows his stuff and is a keen as me!!!!

Anyway, come on guys, let me see yours, tell me about it, and what you get up to in it.

Tex

R0BD0G · 15-01-2008, 10:54 PM

wrong thread?? nice boat mate must go like a charm

OLDFORDNUT · 16-01-2008, 08:40 AM

just sold this and regret it big time all it needed was a reco engine as block cracked,it had an 351 clevo with huge cam and went like the clappers,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...tfrontshot.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...boatengine.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...acktofront.jpg
it was a JUDCRAFT 1973 race hull 19ft long flatbottom.

Pinch · 16-01-2008, 08:42 AM

Sweet boat. All I have is a Sea Al Supa Skua 11ft tinnie with a 25 outboard hanging off the back, and a rebuilt old Pride Starfire GT ski boat with an 04 Mercury 90. Just get up to some wakeboarding and tubing etc. Don't mid just poking around waterways here and there, and also get up to some not so serious fishing.

tex · 16-01-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholas

just sold this and regret it big time all it needed was a reco engine as block cracked,it had an 351 clevo with huge cam and went like the clappers,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...tfrontshot.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...boatengine.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...acktofront.jpg
it was a JUDCRAFT 1973 race hull 19ft long flatbottom.

Christ, how hard did that weapon go?

Take it you were into your ski racing mate. What speed would she do in her day, and how much thirst did she have.

I love those classic hull shapes, pitty you sold her.

OLDFORDNUT · 16-01-2008, 08:48 AM

only took her out twice as i brought it in bad shape and fixed /painted her then engine started sucking in water and i needed cash about 7 months ago so let it go for a lousy ebay $3200,she now resides in Victoria from memory with a blown 454 chev,but it went hard with the 351(70knots dont know in MPH,
just a word on petrol costs it takes however much it takes,you have so much fun it just does not matter

Fev · 16-01-2008, 08:54 AM

insane. ive got a 23 foot 2005 bayliner with a blue printed by mercury, mercury v8(GM-i know)
(standard engines are just GM v8s with the water goodies bolted on. this has been stripped down and rebuilt specifically for water).

its a very nice comfy boat

although a mate of mine has a 15 foot jet boat with a 351 in it.... its like a 6 seater jet ski lol, goes like stink!

OLDFORDNUT · 16-01-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

insane. ive got a 23 foot 2005 bayliner with a blue printed by mercury, mercury v8(GM-i know)
(standard engines are just GM v8s with the water goodies bolted on. this has been stripped down and rebuilt specifically for water).

its a very nice comfy boat

although a mate of mine has a 15 foot jet boat with a 351 in it.... its like a 6 seater jet ski lol, goes like stink!

thats one lovely boat mate

Fev · 16-01-2008, 09:15 AM

well its not mine.. its my dads mid life crisis toy.. i own the Barge though :P(im only 19.. no way in hell im getting a boat lol)

sarrge2001 · 16-01-2008, 09:33 AM

1986 Meos Spider, 350 Chev, dog clutch, new grey velour upholstery since the pictures.

Used for dragging screaming kids up and down the river :evil3:

tex · 16-01-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarrge2001

1986 Meos Spider, 350 Chev, dog clutch, new grey velour upholstery since the pictures.

Used for dragging screaming kids up and down the river :evil3:

Love that paint scheme mate, looks superb. Wash you mouth out for using a Chev

ebv8 · 15-01-2018, 11:34 AM

old thread i know but its slow at work so why not add to it
her is my banged up old sea-al supa skua with a banged up old 30hp mariner
i used to have these when i was young and after i sold my last one 3 years ago i wanted another so i saw this come up for sale and bought it straight away, it had a seized 25hp mariner so got the 30hp from a local dealer for $450 and spent a little getting it working
i also ended up with 2 ex army 25hp mercury's because why not.
however since buying this one we adopted a 3y/o girl and she can't swim so i can't use the boat yet plus its a hoon boat and not suitable for kids.
so the wife has approved the purchase of a bigger boat but i kind of like this one as it brings back the old days when i was young
my previous boat list is quite long
10 years old had this and upgrade over the years
10ft homemade with 3.5hp vita jet
11ft savage 25hp
ex surf club duck with 25hp
supa skua with 25hp
thundercat with 50hp
savage 13ft with 140hp
bullet 1500 with 150hp
supa skua with 25hp
dehavilland with 40hp
supa skua with 30hp

scoupedy · 15-01-2018, 08:26 PM

Dont have any photos but got a classic haines hunter v15 1971 hull with a 1999 90hp johston two stroke goodfun to drive especially when not too choppy.

**Beastie** · 15-01-2018, 08:33 PM

My tub before I cracked the transom...

I have replaced the transom, but I still have a few finishing touches to complete before it hits the water again...

Trump · 15-01-2018, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

My tub before I cracked the transom...

image

I have replaced the transom, but I still have a few finishing touches to complete before it hits the water again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTMxZxI7-SQ

.:4:. · 15-01-2018, 09:03 PM

I understand getting knocked about in smaller boats. Prior to the rig i have now it was a 4.7m half cab that with the 60 2 stroke was easy to manage single handed and when the wind was down was a nice little craft. My current 5.3m bow rider is a dream to launch on my own but i prefer a hand on retrieval. And often a good hand is hard to find. Fibreglass hull is nice and quiet on the water, 220hp stern drive makes it go well, but next time around id consider a simple 5m runabout with a 75hp outboard.

ebv8 · 16-01-2018, 08:08 AM

the wife hates my 11ft tinny so i'm have been approved for a bayliner capri but i think i want to keep it small and cheap and go for a haines V146 or even a 4.5 tinny with a tiller steer 50hp
i'm never selling the little one it was too hard to get in the first place and light enough to go on my roof and take camping

Mercury Bullet · 21-01-2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

My tub before I cracked the transom...

image

I have replaced the transom, but I still have a few finishing touches to complete before it hits the water again...

Can't tell from the photo. Is that a 14 or 15r?

Did you break the transom or water ingestion?

**GasoLane** · 21-01-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Can't tell from the photo. Is that a 14 or 15r?

Did you break the transom or water ingestion?

Beastie probably can't remember the last time it was in water!

**Beastie** · 21-01-2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Can't tell from the photo. Is that a 14 or 15r?

Did you break the transom or water ingestion?

Transom was soft when I bought it (which I knew), but it was crossing the wake of a 40 footer a little too quick that was the final straw...

Edit: It's a 445R

au350hp · 21-01-2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex

OK, before anyone states the obvious, I know it's a car forum! And yes I am a car nut, own two V8's and a modded 6 - all Fords thankyou very much!

But, I'm sure there are others like me who have a second passion apart from the love of Ford, and that's boats, fishing and water sports.

So here's mine. I spend more time and money on this than I do my cars, so yeh it's important to me.

Specs:

6.8m plus pod, 2.55m beam.
Alloy plate - 6mm hull, 4mm topsides, 4mm cabin and 6mm deck
450lt fuel capacity.
1kw sounder, chart plotter, VHF, fuel management computer etc
Hull weight 1300kg.
BMT weight 2900kg.

Had this one built in 2006 to replace a 5.9m plate boat. I originally fitted a 225 4 stroke, but a few months ago brought a 250HP 4 stroke. She's no rocket, 39 knots (about 7o odd kmph) but I'll fix that soon by fitting another one. That's right, I'm planning to fit another 250 - and get some serious speed. Will be dissappointed if I don't nail 50 knots plus. In a big fat boat, that would be nice. And then my wife won't keep signalling me to go faster when I'm towing her around on the skis.

For those that don't know what sort of economy you get from these big cube 4 strokes - 4500 rpm = 28 knots for approx 45lt per hour. WOT (5700 with a 21" big blader) she guzzles approx 85lt/h. This compares to 105lt per hour I used to use @ WOT in my last boat with a 225 HP EFI 2 stroke Yammy @ about 45 knots.

I use it often (around 175 - 200 hrs per yr) chasing game fish all around Tassie. I do most of my fishing over and beyond the continental shelf, we reckon it's getting deep when the sounder is showing 500m... Right up and down the East coast, as well as a couple of trips each year down the South coast. Ive visited Maatsyker Island late last year, and go out into the Southern Ocean to Pedra Branca several times per year as well. This is an extreme place, located some 20NM off the Tassie South Coast. 5m swell are the rule, not the exception down there. Sorts the men from the not so men.

Next week I'm off to Flinders island for 5 days with a good mate camping (in the boat),fishing and a bit of shooting. Can't wate. My mate actually built this one, and the last, and he does an awsome job, really knows his stuff and is a keen as me!!!!

Anyway, come on guys, let me see yours, tell me about it, and what you get up to in it.

Tex

The only wheels are on the trailer & the one you steer with but it's irrelevant. I always enjoy reading well written informative story's like this. I was lucky enough to spend much of my early years fishing with my Uncle off Sth coast Tas or with my Grandfather off coast of Margaret River W.A. We didn't have a boat as sweet as Tex's launch, but getting involved is what it's all about. Great story Tex, bought back some good memories. Flinders' Island is a great place, you will not be disappointed, whatever the weather throws up. I am sure you'll enjoy/enjoyed it.

**Beastie** · 21-01-2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Beastie probably can't remember the last time it was in water!

No comment!

.:4:. · 21-01-2018, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

No comment!

Some people like to decorate their gardens with garden gnomes, others like to decorate their driveways with boats. My lawn ornament is a boat...

Mercury Bullet · 24-01-2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

Transom was soft when I bought it (which I knew), but it was crossing the wake of a 40 footer a little too quick that was the final straw...

Edit: It's a 445R

Haha, love it.

A mate was a Haines dealer in the 80s and we had a few to play around with.
I remember a 14 footer that originally had one of those 3 cylinder Chrysler 85s on it.
That wasn't enough so bolted a 2 litre 135 Merc on.

Utter madness! We used to seek out oil tankers in Geelong and go wake jumping.

robertmanziel · 03-02-2018, 09:51 PM

I don't have one, but would love to have one. Just looking out what boats people have.

.:4:. · 03-02-2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertmanziel

I don't have one, but would love to have one. Just looking out what boats people have.

Youre opening up a can of worms right there. Boats arent like cars, there are so many different styles and sizes for different uses. That being said i have a bow rider that has more then enough power, but i had rod holders installed so its used for recreational fishing. Thats my game. Its got a factory ski hook thats never been used but when the weather turns its nice and a bit of fun and go flat out to the mat out and nail it back to the ramp to take it home.

JC · 03-02-2018, 10:41 PM

This is mine - 1/2 mine really as a mate and I share it and it lives at his place in Tuross NSW. Funnily enough I get sea sick but still take it out to Montague etc, and have been out to the shelf out that way (around 20km off shore) where the depths go from 180 feet to 400 feet, then 1500, 4000 to 7000 in the space of about 5 clicks.

So, the boat is a 5m Quintrex CruiseAbout (the original) from 1978. It had a Johnson 85 on it but we repowered it 3 years ago with a Suzuki 70 4 stroke - uses 1/4 the fuel the Johnson used to use. As a note here, power ratings on outboards changed in the 80s from at the engine figure to at the prop, so a new 70 is roughly the same as an old 85. She'll do 16 to 22 knots in slop (small seas up to say 2m), and 35 knots on the lakes/estuaries. We don't take it offshore in anything over 1.5m seas if we can help it (due to my sea sickness - even medicated doesn't always help).

I do most of the work on the boat and trailer to keep it maintained, but the motor is serviced by the pros (for warranty). I've fitted it out with box seats, new "leather" seats with spring bases, 2 x sounders (one's a chart plotter ans is under 12 months old). It's a good platform for offshore fishing for 2 of us, or up to 4 at a pinch, though is licensed to take 6!

Limits of territorial waters (aka the shelf):

Not poor maintenance- crappy Chinese wheels. Now running Aussie rims (ROH steelies)

roKWiz · 04-02-2018, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Youre opening up a can of worms right there. Boats arent like cars, there are so many different styles and sizes for different uses. That being said i have a bow rider that has more then enough power, but i had rod holders installed so its used for recreational fishing. Thats my game. Its got a factory ski hook thats never been used but when the weather turns its nice and a bit of fun and go flat out to the mat out and nail it back to the ramp to take it home.

And make certain its something you can take out of the water yourself.
I can remember when BOAT was spelt with one T but now it is spelt with 2 T's.
New definition.....Bring Out Another Ten Thousand.
No cash No Splash !

roKWiz · 04-02-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Some people like to decorate their gardens with garden gnomes, others like to decorate their driveways with boats. My lawn ornament is a boat...

I like to decorate mine with trucks, though the neighbours are of a different mind.

.:4:. · 04-02-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

And make certain its something you can take out of the water yourself.
I can remember when BOAT was spelt with one T but now it is spelt with 2 T's.
New definition.....Bring Out Another Ten Thousand.
No cash No Splash !

To be fair if you are sitting on the water you are sitting on a drain. If you are in a boat your sitting in a financial drain. I like boats so ill leave it alone.