Ryannnnnnnn

Hey @Old Scaley thanks for checking back in. I ended up getting an MK Riptide with a 120amp battery. I got the thruster plate welded on by a boat builder then had the MK supplied and fitted by the dealer that originally supplied my boat. I couldn't find any good cheaper alternatives that had the spot lock feature and am really glad I slashed out on the MK. 
 
The minn kota is absolutely fantastic, I haven't used my normal anchor since I had the MK installed which has been months. It's improved my experience out on the water so much. Getting snagged is less of a hassle, can effortlessly move the boat with precision to position myself where ever I want.
I ended up mounting the battery in the front hatch to keep weight down the front which is working well. 
At first the dealer fit a 42 inch shaft but it was a bit short - fully extended the shaft would cavitate in any chop, so they replaced it with a 48 inch which is working perfectly.
Can send any pics if it helps at all
 
Cheers 

Hey @Old Scaley thanks for checking back in. I ended up getting an MK Riptide with a 120amp battery. I got the thruster plate welded on by a boat builder then had the MK supplied and fitted by the dealer that originally supplied my boat. I couldn't find any good cheaper alternatives that had the spot lock feature and am really glad I slashed out on the MK. 
 
The minn kota is absolutely fantastic, I haven't used my normal anchor since I had the MK installed which has been months. It's improved my experience out on the water so much. Getting snagged is less of a hassle, can effortlessly move the boat with precision to position myself where ever I want.
I ended up mounting the battery in the front hatch to keep weight down the front which is working well. 
At first the dealer fit a 42 inch shaft but it was a bit short - fully extended the shaft would cavitate in any chop, so they replaced it with a 48 inch which is working perfectly.
Can send any pics if it helps at all
 
Cheers 

Thanks guys decided to splash out and get a minn kota with ipilot / spot lock. 
Thanks for your help 

Hey @Old Scaley thanks for checking back in. I ended up getting an MK Riptide with a 120amp battery. I got the thruster plate welded on by a boat builder then had the MK supplied and fitted by the dealer that originally supplied my boat. I couldn't find any good cheaper alternatives that had the spot lock feature and am really glad I slashed out on the MK. 
 
The minn kota is absolutely fantastic, I haven't used my normal anchor since I had the MK installed which has been months. It's improved my experience out on the water so much. Getting snagged is less of a hassle, can effortlessly move the boat with precision to position myself where ever I want.
I ended up mounting the battery in the front hatch to keep weight down the front which is working well. 
At first the dealer fit a 42 inch shaft but it was a bit short - fully extended the shaft would cavitate in any chop, so they replaced it with a 48 inch which is working perfectly.
Can send any pics if it helps at all
 
Cheers 

Hello,
Just want to clear something up about fishing near, or i guess on the border of green zones that run along banks.
Using the below examples, the greenzone looks to run along the bank of the bay islands.
- Does this mean, that I cannot stand along the bank and cast out into the water?
- Can I be in my boat, and cast towards the bank?

 

Apologies if it seems like silly questions - I just want to be clear and do the right thing.
Cheers

Hello, 
Wanting an electric bow mount motor on my 4.2m aluminium boat so I don't have to put the anchor out as much. 
Looks like I need something with the spot lock feature, but don't think I can splash out a few thousand on a new minn kota. 
Are there any decent brands out there under $2000 that have the GPS spot lock feature? 
And also, how much can I expect to pay for a battery? 
 
Cheers 

Had to put the motor on the back burner - but am ready to proceed now!
Does anyone have any recommendations around Brisbane / Gold coast to supply and fit everything?

Could be just the washer on the bung or the rivett is rotting out. Try new bungs first. If that doesn’t work drill out all the rivetts and replace them and seal them with sikaflex. Always start with the cheapest option and work up. 

Alright with your guys help it looks like there's a slow leak from one of the bung plugs. Is there a certain brand of plug or shop you recommend getting a new set from? 

Alright with your guys help it looks like there's a slow leak from one of the bung plugs. Is there a certain brand of plug or shop you recommend getting a new set from? 

Hadn't seen these latest replies - thanks very much!

Hello,
Fairly new to boating and have a 2012 horizon 435 easy fisher aluminium boat. It has a pretty deep, strong hull on it with a false floor.
After I've been out on the water for a few hours I look in the hull (have a hatch to access bilge pump and also a storage compartment at the front) and find there's a bit of water sitting in there, in the corrgugations of the hull - I guess about a few cups of water. I remember when I first got the boat 6 months ago, there was never any water inside the hull.
Here's some additional notes:
- It's salty to taste
- It's not residual from washing it down post use - I have a steep driveway which I leave the boat to dry on and make sure it's all dry before taking it out
- Around the bung plugs themselves look dry from the inside
- The hull has no visible patches, dents or cracks that I can see
- I am out in calm water so I don't really take any water on board
What I've tried to attempt to find the cause:
- Put a lantern in different places inside the hull and crawled around the boat in the pitch black to see if there was any pinpoles showing light
- Put water in the anchor well and tested if there were any leaks from the drainage hose
Couldn't find any evidence where the water might be coming from - I'm baffled!
Is it a bad idea fill (not completely full of course, a few cms of water) inside the hull and see if any water comes out? Or could this damage the trailer? Are there any other ways to find a leak?
 
Thanks

Hello,
Fairly new to boating and have a 2012 horizon 435 easy fisher aluminium boat. It has a pretty deep, strong hull on it with a false floor.
After I've been out on the water for a few hours I look in the hull (have a hatch to access bilge pump and also a storage compartment at the front) and find there's a bit of water sitting in there, in the corrgugations of the hull - I guess about a few cups of water. I remember when I first got the boat 6 months ago, there was never any water inside the hull.
Here's some additional notes:
- It's salty to taste
- It's not residual from washing it down post use - I have a steep driveway which I leave the boat to dry on and make sure it's all dry before taking it out
- Around the bung plugs themselves look dry from the inside
- The hull has no visible patches, dents or cracks that I can see
- I am out in calm water so I don't really take any water on board
What I've tried to attempt to find the cause:
- Put a lantern in different places inside the hull and crawled around the boat in the pitch black to see if there was any pinpoles showing light
- Put water in the anchor well and tested if there were any leaks from the drainage hose
Couldn't find any evidence where the water might be coming from - I'm baffled!
Is it a bad idea fill (not completely full of course, a few cms of water) inside the hull and see if any water comes out? Or could this damage the trailer? Are there any other ways to find a leak?
 
Thanks

Thanks guys decided to splash out and get a minn kota with ipilot / spot lock. 
Thanks for your help 

Wanting to venture into the logan River and fish the holes at Marks rocks, but I've read a handful of old threads mentioning the submerged hazards people have hit. 
I have navionics but I fear the rock markers might not be detailed enough to get me out of trouble. 
Does anyone have a map of the hazards or any guidance around fishing the area from a boat? 
 
Cheers

Thanks guys decided to splash out and get a minn kota with ipilot / spot lock. 
Thanks for your help 

Great to know about the gc seaway! 
Thanks very much doyley for the detailed explanation and advice, very much appreciated! 
Will do mate sounds like I need to get up there for some trips! 

Let us know how you go. This is on my wish list as well, so details on price, how easy to fit etc would be useful.

Have a 4.2m horizon allumnium with a fairly deep Hull with a 2013 40hp yammy 2 stroke  banger on the back. 
Had it for a few months and will continue to gain experience for months before I even think about going outside the river systems and moretan Bay. 
Just thinking ahead though, is there a coastal bar within a few hours of brisbane that stands out to be the safest to cross?
Not interested in dangerous situations "testing the waters" and pushing my boat to its limits. Safety is utmost priority. 
Probably depend on the skipper, but Is my boat capable of going outside the river / moretan bay? 

Thanks guys decided to splash out and get a minn kota with ipilot / spot lock. 
Thanks for your help 

Thanks guys decided to splash out and get a minn kota with ipilot / spot lock. 
Thanks for your help 

Interesting thanks for that feedback guys. Was going to use it for both fresh and salt - hadn't actually considered that might contribute to choosing my option cheers

Is the haswing cayman GPS OK? 

Hello, 
Wanting an electric bow mount motor on my 4.2m aluminium boat so I don't have to put the anchor out as much. 
Looks like I need something with the spot lock feature, but don't think I can splash out a few thousand on a new minn kota. 
Are there any decent brands out there under $2000 that have the GPS spot lock feature? 
And also, how much can I expect to pay for a battery? 
 
Cheers