shakey55

Do some research, there may be a way to connect the new Garmin to the current transducer. I’m not sure and definitely have no knowledge or experience in this area. Just a thought  good luck  I run a Garmin 75 with B66 Airmar thru hull transducer and more than happy with the performance, even at speed  
https://www.gemeco.com/adapterBL.php
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=FYzNJ06VUF11E3PL2oto99
https://www.airmar.com/uploads/SpecApps/airmaremea_mixandmatch_cable_12x18_poster_MR.pdf
Technology is changing daily

Do some research, there may be a way to connect the new Garmin to the current transducer. I’m not sure and definitely have no knowledge or experience in this area. Just a thought  good luck  I run a Garmin 75 with B66 Airmar thru hull transducer and more than happy with the performance, even at speed  
https://www.gemeco.com/adapterBL.php
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=FYzNJ06VUF11E3PL2oto99
https://www.airmar.com/uploads/SpecApps/airmaremea_mixandmatch_cable_12x18_poster_MR.pdf
Technology is changing daily

This is the link to NSW rules on Boat Lighting.  I would assume the same rules apply in other states  
https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/maritime/safety-rules/publications/be-bright-safe-night.pdf
 
 

First hand experience with light bars is that they don't work in open waters. It's not like driving down a dark road at night in a 4bee. 
 
A mate had a 23ft reef boss from the states. Similar to a Grady white looking center cab.
He fitted a big light bar up on the hard top. It looked bloody awesome and on the trailer in the back yard it worked a treat, literally turned night into day. 
We got out off Cleveland one night heading for Moreton and turned it on. Absolutely useless. 
The water doesn't reflect like most solid objects so we couldn't see the chop or anything untill we were on top of it. It basically just lit up the haze and looked like you were driving into fog and the water was still black.
 
So if you're looking at this avenue I recommend not doing it. Again, it's up to you but we never used the light again unless it was In a creek to see the edges. 

Not much better in Sydney.  Wind generally getting up around 20 knots most days.  Sunday/Monday look the best at the moment

I gave Lowrance the flick years ago. Have since been a Garmin man and they have never let me down. Currently running a Garmin 75dv with thru-hull transducer

Not much better in Sydney.  Wind generally getting up around 20 knots most days.  Sunday/Monday look the best at the moment

Thanks everyone sound advice. I think I’ll scrap the idea of anything under 4 or maybe just wait another few years and get something bigger to suit the family. 
 
For now I’ll stick to my yak and Offer my deckie services, Brian will agree I am handy when it comes to pulling up an anchor on numerous occasions to get on your mark in 20m 😝

Its hard not to swear and feel like I want vengeance when I hear these stories. 

Thanks Drop Bear and AUS-BNE, I should have explained a little better.  I have seen on google earth that the upgrade has been completed (some time ago).  I read a couple of years ago that there was the occasional trailer being stolen from here by the local shite heads.
I’ve never used this ramp but was thinking about driving to here, putting in and giving the boat a good run down the river to Botany Bay.
Thanks again Mick

Hey shakey55
I haven't used it, but I'd say your best bet would be to check with locals/local tackle shop to see if they have. They may able to give you some tips on drop offs at low tide, and stuff like that.
Cheers Hamish

That is annoying, but you could almost forgive them on the basis that they may have thought you were just motoring not trolling. Whereas the clowns who have a whole ocean to pass you when you are anchored or drifting, and still roar past you at full noise within spitting distance really frustrate me. Also the idiots who approach the boat ramp too fast when you are trying to retrieve your boat, setting up an awkward wake. That one seems to be particularly popular with jet skis.

Hey Drop Bear
I do agree with @Old Scaley, but I suppose he should still be aware of what you're doing (or trying to be).
I hate the bloody jetskis that come flying by every minute when you're fishing anywhere... But I especially hate when you're fishing landbased, and a boat comes by in the 30 metre 'no wash' zone, making waves you could surf on! All that does is erode away the mud, sand, and anything else 😞 
Cheers Hamish

If you spent a higher budget you could get a boat she could invite her friends out on. ‘Think of it, dear, off to Tangalooma for the day, a quick swim in the crystal clear waters,  lunch and a Chardonnay or two at the bar and a leisurely drive back to end a perfect day. Your friends will be envious!’ It’s worth a try at least and I always find if you aim for the sky and then scale it back somewhat later on, she feels like you have listened to her better judgement and compromised.

Bulldogs195461
I am also looking to get into kayak fishing. I’ll follow this with interest. 

I’ve been looking at kayaks from Baysports and Weekend Warrior. 
 
Good luck

About as long as that eBay link was

I would never park a boat nose down on a steep driveway. 
When it rains, it can not drain. A cubic meter of water is 1 tonne. Recipe for disaster imo. 
 
Park it sideways across the slope no worries but definitely not nose down a steep hill. 

Looking at building my fitness back up after losing the top of my lung. Might as well try and catch a fish while I’m at it hey ! Show me what you got, looking for something stable and cheaper the better. 
 
cheers 

weighed it today 7.4 kg

Consider getting some of this to fill in the crack on the inside. 
A mate used a similar product on a jerry can while on a outback trip a few years ago and it’s still good today. 
 
https://www.swiftsupplies.com.au/weicon-aluminium-repair-stick

Been fishing for 7 years now and only just able to find this awesome community, looking forward to getting to know y'all! 
Mostly doing Slow Pitch Jigging and ISO Fishing these days. 

Consider getting some of this to fill in the crack on the inside. 
A mate used a similar product on a jerry can while on a outback trip a few years ago and it’s still good today. 
 
https://www.swiftsupplies.com.au/weicon-aluminium-repair-stick

Thanks @shakey55.  I installed it on the weekend and have been playing with it in simulator mode.   It looks amazing and has so many features, a lot of which I will never use.  I hope to get out on the water this week to start playing with settings and getting the transducer at the right angle. My only disappointment is that it doesn’t take a Navionics card so I will lose the few spots I had on my old sounder. 
Thanks everyone for your advice.

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind stretching the budget a little and going for the 400 Hornet trophy. From an initial search they are not that much dearer than the explorer trophy 385. Of course with both boats I'd be picking the right days for bay fishing (coming from a Hobie kayak I've learnt how to pick the right days).

I’ve just had a quick search and everything you want is possible and available, but not for $150 to $300. 
Do some searching and you’ll find you need several thousand dollars more. 
Good luck