Fluid36

Great snapper, what depth were you fishing?

Thanks guys. Issue is some other individual wired the VHF up prior to myself purchasing the boat so it would have been what I would have done and what I will do with the new one. I have pretty much rewired the entire boat front to back apart from the lines from the new switch panel to the devices and have now learnt my lesson on those. Thanks for the details both of you, really helpful. I wouldn't say I'm an expert but I'm pretty good at 12 volt having wired multiple cars over the years, boats are so much easier with far more room. ps. you wouldn't believe some of the wiring I pulled out of this boat, really unbelievable what some people consider to be a job well done. Any tips on best place to buy tinned copper wires at decent prices btw? Cheers

Thanks or all the replies. There is a 50 amp breaker between the battery switch and the front switch panel but this did not blow. (battery switch feed goes to rear positive busbar then to front fused switch panel via this breaker). There is a 10 amp fuse in the front switch panel for each individual device, the fuse for the VHF did blow. There is no inline fuse between the front switch panel and the VHF itself. The fuse in the switch panel that blew did not protect the VHF from damage so I don't think another inline fuse between the switch panel and device would have worked but who knows. Cheers

Manual states: Reverse Polarity & Overvoltage Protection - Shunt diode and voltage regulator. will need to take apart and check.

Thanks also Zoran, will check and provide feedback to help others going forward.

Thanks Rebel, It's fused individually at the switch panel which blew, guess that didn't quite do it's job quick enough. Are you saying an extra inline fuse from switch panel to unit? The stereo has one of these and that blew (along with the individual switch panel fuse) so I guess the individual switch panel fuse for the stereo didn't really do it's job either. Also have an inline breaker from the battery switch to the switch panel but that didn't trip either. How do I test it when out of the boat?

Hi guys, Tiredness and in the dark resulted in a brief moment of hooking the battery up reverse polarity. Managed to blow some fuses in the switch panel and the inline fuse in the outboard, all replaced and working now. The only issue I have is the VHF, - as soon as the switch on the switch panel is turned on it blows, seems to be drawing too much current and my assumption is that its cooked. Thoughts?

Yeah that stuff holds fluids so not the best option. Mesh or spiral wrap may be way to go.

So the mesh stuff might be a better bet than the hard plastic sealed conduit then I guess. No need for it to be water proof.

Hi all, What type of wrap, conduit, split loom do you like to use for the wires that run from the engine well to the outboard (control wires and fuel lines etc)? I have just removed the plastic sealed loom (covered the control wires and fuel line combined) and found fuel sludge in the sealed loom, I'm looking for a possible fuel leak at the moment, fuel line looks good but will most likely replace). I don't like the idea of the sealed plastic type loom as it seals in any fuel, seawater etc if it gets in there with no way for it to drain so was looking at something like durarap to change it with, are there any other better options? Also, is it normal to have the fuel lines and control wires in the same loom to the outboard? Cheers

Did you have to head out deep for the snapper?

No need to apologize - much appreciated thanks Zoran, local advice is what I'm after and what you've given me here is really valuable. I'm happy to take a conservative approach and worry about enjoying the fishing and not stressing about the weather. So light winds and swell <1m for at least the first few times, including a window of weather that is longer term and looking at coming back in before midday. Cheers

Thanks Zoran and others. You've got me a bit worried with that sort of talk, definitely food for thought on sea conditions and the need to be extra cautious. I think I'll take your advice and max it out to 1m swell. My main fishing buddy is a poor swimmer and has cerebral palsy so I need to be mindful of him as well. I grew up fishing in open waters in 12 foot tinnies. This was on the east coast of Northland in New Zealand though so I think things are a bit more predictable there, or they seem to be anyway from what I've seen. Thanks for the extra posts, I'll read those as well.

Thanks for all the replies. I have got all the safety gear for offshore. I have a 2004 70hp 2 stroke Yammy, maybe bit underpowered but I get 30 knots out of it with standard prop, re-propping may be an option. I've got a 75 litre tank and I've seen max fuel consumption for this engine quoted at 28lph. Assuming I travel 8km at 15knts - that's 17 minutes which is 8 litres of fuel. I'll fill her up and should be plenty in reserve. Thanks for the tips on weights and location. The rig I like to use is a black magic flasher with a slow jig in place of the sinker. Seems to work well.

Hi all, I have a 5m fiberglass runabout (v17r) and have spent the summer in enclosed waters just familiarizing myself with the boat. I now want to head offshore, nothing major but just to drift for some flatties off Barrenjoey in around 50m. Any major tips weather wise and things to be mindful of before I take this first trip offshore? Swell wise I'm thinking max 1.5m and looking for a calm light wind day with solid forecast. Cheers