MACKAZs elcheapo boat/tightwad other projects

[xsspeed]

Always wondered if good eating, I've had parrotfish in the islands but what ive seen kiwis call parrot fish is normally pigfish

[MACKAZ]

This mornings trip was a pretty good test of skipper, first mate and the boat. Wind got up as well as the sea. Land disappeared in the troughs. First time Miss13 had been in open ocean. Pulled anchor like a champ. No signs of seasickness from either of us. Boat took it really well. Motor performed flawlessly. Daughter caught 3 undersize and I caught one so close to legal. Were out for an hour or so. We got drenched coming back up the estuary. Won a Garmin Fishfinder 140 off tardme. $55 plus ship. Won't see it as not going back into town next week, (if everything goes to plan) 

Pic for thread

[MACKAZ]

Well I broke the new engine. Nothing major, the plastic doofer that holds the engine "up" has taken a big chunk out of itself (nothing to do with my burly frame using it as a support) and it won't stay up anymore. New part has been ordered, a princely sum of $10.50 but not intending to go home until Friday. I've put it on the trailer until I can fix it. Unkeen on waking up to a smashed skeg or prop. 

Miss18 not impressed

[HighLUX]

Cant use a screwdriver or something to prop it up for now/those plastic bits in evinrude/johnnhys seem like planned obsolescence to make more off initial purchase price

 

[MACKAZ]

10 hours ago, HighLUX said:

Cant use a screwdriver or something to prop it up for now/those plastic bits in evinrude/johnnhys seem like planned obsolescence to make more off initial purchase price

 

I couldn't agree more, I'm considering making one out of a block of aluminium. Im thinking as it spent the first 23 yrs of its life on the back of a boat as an auxiliary it was probably up on that stop. Years of being in that position and its just worn away. 

[MACKAZ]

Oh neat. Just called local Mercury agent to see if my part has arrived. Was told ex Auckland no prob when I emailed my enquiry last Thursday. Advised its "just come off backorder" from Australia? Pretty average service..... 

[MACKAZ]

Facebook marketplace sometimes has its advantages. Bought these LED navigation and anchor lights (second hand but still in the OG packaging) for $50. Sundry bolts washers wiring terminals $20 ish. All lit up. 

Trademe purchase of an older (2008 vintage) Garmin Fishfinder 140. $63 including ship. Its a bit scruffy but appears to work. Battery holder made out of leftovers from making the 4.0l high-rise carb adapter and tigged it together myself at work (in own time of course) 

7a/hr gel deep cycle battery free from GC workmate Jacob. Zip zero nada.  Test run on weekend....maybe

[MACKAZ]

Dragged Hull home from work lockup where its been since March. Collected engine/fuel tanks/fishing gear from storage lockup. Life jackets out of the caravan (at same work lockup). Only thing I can't find is the anchor and rope. Currently impatiently waiting for Savebarn to open to buy rope and a grapple anchor. Workmate has given me an old sand anchor. 

Ran engine up last night once I remembered how to start it. Electrical check. Battery charged. Assemble anchor setup tonight

Bring on next week. Here fishy fishy 

[DB8-TypeR]

Arthurs Emporium will have some rope and anchor (as well as all other manner of stuff). 

Small boats are the best boats

[MACKAZ]

Departure in t-15hrs. Fingers crossed its a cruisy and drama less day. 

Woot. 

[MACKAZ]

Well summers upon us, and the annual January holiday is 6 weeks away. Time to drag it out and get it ready. 

Last time I used it I managed to tear a rowlock off, so that's to be done. 

The depth sounder I bought seems to be faulty. Lucky for me workmate just put flash new one in his boat so got his cast off for $25. Need to fit that. 

Really keen to get bimini top for some shade. It's like a fricking frying pan. 

But first need to remove the ton of crap in front of it. 

[MACKAZ]

Pic of new (old) sounder. Downloaded a manual for it and it's far superior to the other Garmin. 

Shed will get a clearout soon. 

[MACKAZ]

In my haste I forgot a before pic. The guide had the front completely broken off, and unevenly. Burnt some scrap 3mm onto it and shaped it to suit. If it fails I'll need to make a new one. 

 

It's as rough as guts but should work

[MACKAZ]

Another almost Alloy welder attempt. 

Made a mount for the new transducer and slathered it in neutral cure silicon

One step closer 

[MACKAZ]

Bimini on. The depth sounder (I don't call them fish finders, cos I don't normally catch any) is fully wired and functional. 

Ive dropped the hull on the back lawn and applying a fresh layer of cold galv where surface rust is showing through. 

Not so elcheapo now, owes me just over $2800, but I suppose its cheap compared to buying one in similar state. 

[MACKAZ]

This is going on the market very soon. It's been a great boat but need something a bit bigger to accommodate the entire family. So I'm looking for something around the 15ft+mark to graduate to. 

Just waiting for a free selling weekend on TradeMe....

 

[MACKAZ]

And the chapter of boat ownership has come to an end. Collected yesterday and actually made a small profit from it. If all goes well and to plan I’ll continue this thread with something completely different

watch this space