rod1448

Hi, I have an older 27' Riviera Flybridge which I have begun taking out further to about 150m deep. I have her at Port Stephens. I have a Lowrance Elite 9 Ti2 with the standard 3 in 1 transom mount tranny. Now, I'm losing bottom at about 80m and don't like the idea of the transom mount tranny. I'm taking her out end of this month for antifouling and was hoping to install a through hull tranny whilst out of the water. I have been looking at the Airmar SS75M (600w) at $969 or the SS175M (1kw) at $1329. I know my Elite is only a 500w unit but also looking at upgrading further down the track. I'm after some advice on best Tranny to get at a reasonable price which will work now with the Elite and then when I upgrade possibly HDS unit. Is the 1kw tranny worth the extra $360 or not? Also as I have a flybridge was hoping to be able to link the new fish finder to my Elite as a screen only so I can have one at each helm? Also, I have been told the HDS units have 2 tranny plugs which I can then keep the 3 in 1 tranny for bay fishing etc?? Or do I need a whole new setup with 2 new finders, etc. at a million dollars??? Cheers Rod

My boat is 27 feet so does need to be slipped. I have only just began looking and spoke with Port Stephens Moorings and they were over double the price for a mooring installation compared to Lake Macquarie so looked around for other mooring services but still can't find any. Might be a better quality mooring device, don't know. Will need a good mechanic and slip yard as well. Any recommendations would be great. Cheers Rod.

Hi, I'm looking at possibly moving my boat from Lake Macquarie to Port Stephens and wanted to hear of any good or bad points/experiences to help me make up my mind. Does anyone here have or had a boat moored at Port Stephens that could assist with a fair mechanic in the area and a mooring contractor as I can only find one mooring contractor for Port Stephens and they are over double the cost of the mooring at Lake Macquarie. Is it going to be a lot more expensive having my boat at Port Stephens?? Any info would be much appreciated. Cheers Rod

That looks great. I will use a slide, just wasn't sure if it would vibrate and not give a clear reading but if yours worked a treat that's good enough for me. Cheers

Hi all, I was after some advise for transducer placement on a moored boat. I have recently purchased an old Riviera 27 Flybridge and will be placing my Lowrance Elite9 Ti2 on it with the Active Imaging 3in1 transducer. Now has anyone placed this transducer on a slide so that it will come out of the water when not in use? Cons and pro to this method or should I just bite the bullet and get a new through hull transducer. Would these through hull transducer's work or would I require a double transducer if its through hull. Any help would be appreciated as trying to keep cost down for the moment. Next year I will probably upgrade to a better unit and tranny. Cheers Rod

Yes, I do agree with you. It is a catch 22 with these more comfortable vests but not always as safe. Cheers Rod

Hi, Please correct me if I'm wrong but I've always been told and also read it in the instructions to never partially inflate an inflatable life vest as the cannister with the compressed air has the correct amount of air to fully inflate the jacket, hence if the jacket is already half inflated when you pull the cord to release the compressed cannister air it may burst the air bladder in the jacket due to the rapid over inflation. The manual valve is for topping up in the water if required. I guess if you partially inflate it then you must remember if you go overboard to manually finish blowing it up in the water and not use the compressed air cannister. Cheers Rod

Hi, I have a number of these manual inflating jackets of different brands and the date on the air cannister is the manufacturing date, not the expiry date. I don't really know if they have an expiry date, I would think at least 10 years. You should also find a date of manufacture on the jacket itself and it should be simmilar to the cannister date. Cheers Rod

Cheers.

Hi, Thanks for all the info, much appreciated. I currently have a 20ft half cabin SeaRay with a 4.3lt inboard so I have quickly become aware of all the extra costs involved but I guess if it is to do with boating it's not going to be cheap. I was not aware of the heat exchanger in fresh water engines but I guess it is necessary as they don't have fresh running air through them like in cars. I'm also a great believer that if something requires repairing it needs to be done now and not later as you are correct they will only get worse hence more required from your back pocket. Thanks for the offer, you never now I might take you up on it one day after I sell my current boat and closer to buying a larger one. Your Searay looks great on the Pic. Cheers Rod

So 6 weeks makes her very dirty. You must have to take her out for a bit at least fortnightly or so. Ultrasonic antifouling sounds like a great idea as well. Cheers

Cool thanks, that sounds alright for swing mooring the slipping and antifoul doesn't, but I guess it needs to be done. How often do you antifoul, yearly? Do you know how much is slipping on it's own? Cheers Rod

Hi Ben, Yes I have, but not sure yet if I will be swing mooring or not due to the high fees. What are the fees like at Brooklyn? and have you any prices on antifouling? What made you pick a Riv? Just that I have not decided on make yet. Cheers Rod

Thanks, that's what worries me with an older boat. I know it can still happen with a newer boat but chances are higher with the older ones. I will have to get it surveyed and inspected by a good reliable mechanic. Cheers

Great, thanks for all your help. Cheers Rod