GOOD DAY FOR A BOAT TEST?

[Haji]

Hey DC, what did you think of today as the perfect day to road test the offshore capabilities of a small tinnie.

White water all the way from Jibbon Head to Boat Harbour and waves big enough to have a large crowd on the Esplanade watching surfies trot their stuff. Some classic wipeouts that brought tears to my eyes and I was just watching.

What an opportunity for someone who is keen to take their 4.5M tinnie out to the shelf experience what it might be like if it cuts up rough whilst they are out there. :rolling laughter: :rolling laughter:

No need to travel far, just behind Jibbon bombora should be enough to test the boat 's performance in a following sea, and how to deal with the nose digging in, broaching etc. Also a golden opportunity to actually test the flotation qualities of the boat in both an upright and overturned position. And all for the expenditure of very little fuel as against doing the same thing 25 K's out on a day that turned to s$%^.

:nopity: :nopity:

What do you reckon?

Cheers

[Dog Catcher]

You think I'm loco :rolling laughter:

I saw that ferry going upsy downy on the televeeze didn't look to pleasant in the harbour.

Mind you have been caught out in a few horror blows 3 which come to mind.

Back when I had the 23 ft carrabean out wide late night the eve B4 gave the controls to one of the guys bad mistake to take us in.
This B4 GPS days gave him compass course then crashed out tide was smooth as we were pulling lures & little did I know this idiot was running with the wind which started blowing from south.
Well when I awoke I couldn't believe where this goose had taken us, we were off Sydny heads about 7 miles off shore thats where I made the 2nd mistake should've gone into the habour & caught a cab to go get car & trailer instead it took about 2 1/2 hrs to punch into a now rising southerly swell.
One of the other guys well generally no way you could get him to shut up never spoke a word & regularly checked his underpants :rolling laughter:
The other guy would've easily smoked to packs of cigarettes getting back it was dead silence on the boat exept for me cursing the guy I'd left behind the wheel.
It got worse last hour or so was in the dark & couldn't see a bloody thing boat was falling off waves then crashing some beaut troughs which I couldn't see.

Next
Fishing off coogee for Jewgong on a mates 18 ft shark after being out wide kept telling him lets go back in repeated that request when the skys turned black Sth, West & Nth.

Didn't take long for the East to go black but this guy thought his boat was invinsible, finally I got the sh*ts & so did the others & we pulled up anchor just in time to wear a hail storm.
Nearly the size of golf balls open boat no canopy one of the guys grabbed the metal bucket & put it over his head, I looked aroud & pulled the lid off the fish box & put it over our heads only prob was hail was hitting my knuckes & I kept letting go.

Wind wise we were not effected as it was a Westerly of atound 40 knots on the way back to Botany Bay we passed a little tinny of about 5 meters who looked to be doing it easy cause he had a canopy & cover.

Well radio'd in to let authorities know there was small craft out there but we weren't hanging around no one went missing on the news so everbody must have gotten in ok.

Now once we lost cover of the cliffs & entered the Bay !
Whoa that wind was up pasr 50 knots not swell mind you but easy 8 ft chop we got soaked wearing them over the top lucky the hail had stopped took us ages to get into pt botany.

Next

In my big boat which was over 11 meters again coming in from out wide recalling it could not go faster than 5 knots just to dangerous took something like 4 hrs to get in from the 80 fathom mark & last 2 hrs in the dark.
That was hairy esp up in the flybridge where I was getting whipped from side to side.

Now every one of those days started off pretty calm pleasant seas etc & they turned so when I hear blokes wanting to venture out wide in little wittle boats what do you expect me to say to them ??

Mind you once the Southerly ease's down trckon the Reds will be on fire in the bay & I'll be giving them a shot.

[fishinf]

hey haji why dont you take your seafarer out shell be right with the raised transom you can take it out the hacking and go to botany bay and have a cuppa tea with dog catcher let me know how you go :luck: :duel:

and dog catcher maybe if you and you boatie mates listen to the weather and warning you wouldnt have so much trouble but you wrote
when you started on this site you think there mad and never listen to them i think from memery you said they get it wrong to much :ohhh yeah:
you two should go to bellambie together check it out 20 /40 boats go out on a good day most under 5.3 mt all come back

[Dog Catcher]

fishinf 2 of those incidents happened some 15 odd years back & weather forecasts weren't that crash hot then if you paid to much attention to them then you'd be going out in bad sea's & staying home on perfect days.

Back then I also fished comp which meant you went out in some pretty bad conditions think thats about the time I stopped rnjoying fishing & only started wetting a line again 12 months ago after some 3 years of not doing so.

These days I pick my days that I want to go out thing is even if it blows up out there I dont mind just dont like punching into it all the way out & I've got the boat that I can stay out there.

I also take into consideration where I'm going to fish B4 heading out & most of the time I put myself in the situation of having wind & swell virtually up my arse on the trip home & that's more than I can say for most of these smaller boats who only know Browns mountain & wear it on the way home if coming out of BB in a southerly.

Going out from bellambie or any other port in a 5.3 ot smaller is not that bad cause those boats generally stay in relatively close & have the protection of the coastline for a good part of the year when any sort of west wind is blowing.

My beef is with is with boats under the 5 meter mark & you will no wher in any of of replies where I've stated otherwise going out wide I dont see the point let alone safety wise not very often you get that perfect day & most of those boats have to turn around & come home by lunchtime because of weather conditions & it's a long way home & many a time I said to those peeps go get a ride on a bigger boat which can handle those seas not go fishin.

Noticed in this thread a post was deleted again somebody misreading what was written here there was no mention of 6 meter boats whatsoever only size mentioned was 4.5 meter

[fishinf]

yeah thats cool dog catcher i hope you guys didnt take me wrong
i was just haveing fun with you guys
going out in a small boat is fine if you are sensible and stay close
not everyone can aford the luxury of a big boat

[Dog Catcher]

maurice I'm very easy going & dont to much to heart.

Think the prob around these boards is peeps dont read what is written then jump to conclusions & defensive mode.

Good example of that is when I have a dig @ little boats owners wanting to go out wide I get the feeling by some of the reply's these guys think I'm putting down their boats etc.

I just jump into pee'd off mode when I see peeps telling someone new to boating it's ok to do so without even thinking of what they're saying.

For starters the guys asking prob have little knowledge of what to expect or how to handle conditions if they turn bad.

Another thing that I shake ny head @ is how everybody raves in about places like Browns making out it's the holy grail, it can be on it's day but ask all the guys who fish it how many times they've come home with nothing.

going out in a small boat is fine if you are sensible and stay close

Yep I've got one of them thingy's & prob of late spend more time in it than the bigger one but no way would I take it to far offshore in fact it's rare that I venture outside the bay in it.

Rhat Changa chappy & I sumed it up nicely in another thread I think allways feel safe in the bigger boats & we weren't talking about giant big thingys either.

not everyone can aford the luxury of a big boat

That may be true but times have changed whrn I 1st started & I'm not a dinasaur by the way not like that kkw chappy fishermen were a plenty & boats were few these days it's quite the opposite & I dont mind talking peeps out unless it's that crim again bugger ate all my chook even ate the bum then offered me a bloody vegemite sandwich the hide of him.

[kkw]

That may be true but times have changed whrn I 1st started & I'm not a dinasaur by the way - not like that kkw chappy. fishermen were a plenty & boats were few these days it's quite the opposite & I dont mind talking peeps out unless it's that crim again bugger ate all my chook even ate the bum then offered me a bloody vegemite sandwich the hide of him.
Thats not an accurate statement DC. You asked if I wanted something to eat. I said I had some vegemite sambos and would swap you one for some of your food. I found a whole bbq chook, and figured that was what you wanted me to eat, so I did. You then said you didn't like vegemite, so I ate that as well. Sorry about drinking all your coca cola. I will bring you a peanut butter sambo next time, so can you also put in some coleslaw salad with your lunch?

[Haji]

Hi fishinif, good to see you responding to my attempts at humour.

As to my heading out to the shelf in my Seafarer, yes I may attempt it at some future date but only in company of another boat and keeping in constant touch with forecasts and watching for weather changes all the time.

There is a big difference between my going out and someone who has just purchased a new tinnie and want's to have a go. The difference as I am sure DC will agree is called

EXPERIENCE.

An old workmate of mine from some 40+ years ago (since passed away, RIP) and a very good fisherman had a saying:

"Experience is a good school and a fair school and fools can learn no other way"


I do not intend to demean anyone by quoting this saying but think about it, if you go way out to sea without learning how to handle your boat in all sorts of situations and conditions then there will come a time when you will learn by experience which may not be within your capabilities and certainly not to your liking.

I started off in canoes,graduated to the belly tank of a flying boat, accompanied some experienced men in their 16Ft Put- Puts to fish the Merries,(2 NM offshore) fished inside using a 16Ft clinker built rowboat, built a 13 Ft ply boat for spearfishing and used it extensively to spearfish up and down the coast, rowed surfboats for many years, crewed on big game boats, had my own (26Ft and 33ft) game boats,plus various trailer boats ranging from 11 Ft to my current 17Ft Seafarer.

I have experienced some horrific sea conditions but managed to survive them through my combined experience of all the above. My hairiest moment was when I took my 13 Ft spearfishing boat out of Botany Bay to take part in a competition at Boat Harbour. Everyone else was fishing from shore but like many young guys of my age at that time I was "bulletproof" and thought that I could make it in my boat without any problems.

Also, wearing a wet suit and being an excellent swimmer with extensive experience of swimming into the rocks and getting out of the water (in big seas)without getting hurt I knew that if I "pooped" the boat I would still be safe (although without a boat)

There was a big mob watching from the southern headland of the bay when I went out. Nothing like an audience to spur us on when we are young!

Anyway, there were huge swells accross the mouth of the bay as I went out. I carefully picked my way through them stopping in the troughs to assess my progress and the next swell. I got out to just past the line of the heads and could see broken water and large waves down to Long Nose. That is when I realised that I was not going to be able to get to Boat Harbour, the seas were just too big.

The problem then was that I had to turn the boat around from facing into the swells, not an easy task. I waited for a longer break between the swells, gunned the 40HP Evinrude, ran along the face of the next incoming swell and turned the boat to run with it.

Unfortunately, my plan to drop off the back of the swell and then ride on the back until I got into safer water fell apart when it picked the boat up and drove it down the face of the swell.

At this stage I was packing it! But remembering my experience of rowing surf boats in some very big seas I backed off the throttle (only leaving enough on to maintain steerage) and let the wave take me, then when I hit the bottom of the swell and the bow started going right down to the point where it was almost under I gunned the motor to lift the bow and kept it there until I ran up to the back of the next swell and sat there all the way in to safety.

Great spectator sport and felt good to have got away with it however without my earlier experience of surf boats (and times when we took my mate's tinnie surfing big swells in the middle of Port Hacking during some big blows/seas) I would probably have backed off on the motor as soon as the swell picked me up, broached the boat and "all over red rover".

Gee, I do go on don't I?

I do hope that someone out there will find the above of interest.

Cheers

[Dog Catcher]

After reading that I'm not even going to even think about some of the stupid things I did back in invincible days cause you's will laugh @ me & think I was an idiot :violent1:

Think another thing peeps need to concider B4 boasting they've had 20 odd years EXPERIENCE. driving boats

How oftern do you guys actually get out there ??

My brother got a boat well B4 I did but hasn't put anywhere near the hrs on the water as I have let alone out @ open sea.

And there's no way I'd let him behind the controlls os anyone else for that matter in any sort of sea .

I do allow peeps to hold the steering wheel when we're say trolling etc any other time the boat is in Auto Dog Catcher Mode.

Also think it is wise for skippers to give crew a rundown on how to start steer & basic handling skills cause you never know.

Fished with others on boats maybe 6 odd years B4 getting my own & not once was I ever given a rundown hence my invinsible days which I dont care to make public :eeek:

[Haji]

Hey DC are you counting me among the "peeps" who claim to have 20 years experience but in fact have Bu##@% all?

Or, as we sometimes do have I misinterpreted your post?

Please explain!

:violent1:

[Dog Catcher]

Wasn't refering to anyone

More a figure of speech that comes up in conversation think you know what I mean.

Someone will jump out & say I've been driving boats for 20 years dont tell me what to do.

[Haji]

S'allright mate, just taking the p#$$ out of you.

Cheers

[Dog Catcher]

But I dont :scull: ka da Piss :rolling laughter:

not into alcahol

[fishinf]

Hi fishinif, good to see you responding to my attempts at humour.

As to my heading out to the shelf in my Seafarer, yes I may attempt it at some future date but only in company of another boat and keeping in constant touch with forecasts and watching for weather changes all the time.

There is a big difference between my going out and someone who has just purchased a new tinnie and want's to have a go. The difference as I am sure DC will agree is called

EXPERIENCE.

An old workmate of mine from some 40+ years ago (since passed away, RIP) and a very good fisherman had a saying:

"Experience is a good school and a fair school and fools can learn no other way"


I do not intend to demean anyone by quoting this saying but think about it, if you go way out to sea without learning how to handle your boat in all sorts of situations and conditions then there will come a time when you will learn by experience which may not be within your capabilities and certainly not to your liking.

I started off in canoes,graduated to the belly tank of a flying boat, accompanied some experienced men in their 16Ft Put- Puts to fish the Merries,(2 NM offshore) fished inside using a 16Ft clinker built rowboat, built a 13 Ft ply boat for spearfishing and used it extensively to spearfish up and down the coast, rowed surfboats for many years, crewed on big game boats, had my own (26Ft and 33ft) game boats,plus various trailer boats ranging from 11 Ft to my current 17Ft Seafarer.

I have experienced some horrific sea conditions but managed to survive them through my combined experience of all the above. My hairiest moment was when I took my 13 Ft spearfishing boat out of Botany Bay to take part in a competition at Boat Harbour. Everyone else was fishing from shore but like many young guys of my age at that time I was "bulletproof" and thought that I could make it in my boat without any problems.

Also, wearing a wet suit and being an excellent swimmer with extensive experience of swimming into the rocks and getting out of the water (in big seas)without getting hurt I knew that if I "pooped" the boat I would still be safe (although without a boat)

There was a big mob watching from the southern headland of the bay when I went out. Nothing like an audience to spur us on when we are young!

Anyway, there were huge swells accross the mouth of the bay as I went out. I carefully picked my way through them stopping in the troughs to assess my progress and the next swell. I got out to just past the line of the heads and could see broken water and large waves down to Long Nose. That is when I realised that I was not going to be able to get to Boat Harbour, the seas were just too big.

The problem then was that I had to turn the boat around from facing into the swells, not an easy task. I waited for a longer break between the swells, gunned the 40HP Evinrude, ran along the face of the next incoming swell and turned the boat to run with it.

Unfortunately, my plan to drop off the back of the swell and then ride on the back until I got into safer water fell apart when it picked the boat up and drove it down the face of the swell.

At this stage I was packing it! But remembering my experience of rowing surf boats in some very big seas I backed off the throttle (only leaving enough on to maintain steerage) and let the wave take me, then when I hit the bottom of the swell and the bow started going right down to the point where it was almost under I gunned the motor to lift the bow and kept it there until I ran up to the back of the next swell and sat there all the way in to safety.

Great spectator sport and felt good to have got away with it however without my earlier experience of surf boats (and times when we took my mate's tinnie surfing big swells in the middle of Port Hacking during some big blows/seas) I would probably have backed off on the motor as soon as the swell picked me up, broached the boat and "all over red rover".

Gee, I do go on don't I?

I do hope that someone out there will find the above of interest.

Cheers
i found your post interesting haji i pretty much always do :ohhh yeah:

[garth]

bugger rough seas.

try being next to a couple of 16 ft crocs going ballistic cause they think your moving in on their prey (a big water buffalo) in a 10 ft punt with sides about as high as ya shins and the nearest civilisation is hours down a dirt track and you try to open up the throttle and the motor starts running rough..

scary.. i nearly shat myself

[Dog Catcher]

Well thats your own bloody fault isn't it ??

You should've asked before going & I would've told you to have taken a can of Croc Repellant with you