Resources
New to Boating?
I was standing in line at the newsagent recently while waiting to buy my weekly Lotto ticket and I glanced over and caught site of the fantastic Queensland Fishing Monthly Magazine. The front cover of the gentleman holding that giant Trevally caught my eye and I thought to myself if this ticket comes good tonight that could be me. Standing on my luxury cruiser with rod and reel in tow and having a go at catching something big like that. (So I bought the magazine, went home and read it from front cover to back. I was hooked and I started to dream about all the fun I could have if only I had a boat)
Qld Fishing Monthly - www.fishingmonthly.com.au
Had A Boat - Well Reality Settled in!
I haven't had any boating experience!
I would like to take the family out on the boat but I don’t want to jeopardise their lives by my inexperience!
Gosh what sort of boat will I buy?
How much have I got to spend?
Will I buy a small one for myself and the mate to go fishing?
Will I buy a large boat to take the family out for a leisurely cruise?
Will I buy a ski boat as the teenagers are into water sports now that they're older?
What sort of motor will I put onto the boat! (Honda-Mercury-Johnson-Yamaha-Evinrude-Suzuki-Mariner-Tohatsu). The magazine had all types advertised in it - it was the first time I had ever heard of these names.
Will I buy inboard or outboard?
Will I buy a petrol or diesel motor?
What sort of ski boat will I buy? (Red it goes faster)
Will I buy a Jet Ski for the adrenalin rush?
What sort of Jet Ski will I buy (Yamaha-Honda-See doo-Kawaski-Bombardier-Polaris) no it's not a jet ski it's a Personal Watercraft? (Now I am confused)
Will I buy a stand-up or sit-a-stride?
Will I buy 2 seater-3seater-4seater?
Oh! The "What Will I Do's" Are Endless!
If This is You Then Enlist Now!
We can help to answer those questions that arise and steer you into the right direction with all your boating needs.
Archie has spent his life boating and can guide you and help you to achieve your dreams.
He knows boats and he knows motors after spending his younger days as a mechanic.
Even after you have completed a days course with us he will offer his time to help you out with your dreams, ambitions and all your boating needs.
That's why we keep our establishment a family business and entrust you with the best instructors possible.
Archie's Recommendations
Equipment
When you purchase a new boat, most will come with the legal safety equipment that is required eg. PFD’S, Flares, V-Sheet, Signally Devices and Fire Fighting Equipment but of course there are always those new toys that you just can’t resist that you think will look good on the boat.
Most of the optional extras do have a purpose and our new boat Makai has had installed the latest devices from Navman.
Navman are leading the field in Marine Electronics and Global Positioning Systems and offers a diverse rang of navigating equipment.
These include Radios, GPS, Chartplotters and Fish Finders all of which make your boating life easier. It is nice to know what’s happening under the water as well as on top and it and it also helps if you know where you are going out there – many a ship has been run aground!
Of course you can have a play on our boat to get the feel of all this equipment before you purchase your own. How good is that!
Navman - www.navman.com
Safety Equipment
Please note the legal safety equipment you need to have on your boat will depend on
(a) The size of the boat
(b) The Water Limit area you are operating in. (these are)
SMOOTH WATER – PARTIALLY SMOOTH WATER- OR BEYOND SMOOTH AND PARTIALLY SMOOTH WATER (OPEN WATERS)
When operating your boat 2 Nautical Miles from land in Open Waters you are also legally required to have an EPIRB on board.
An EPIRB is an Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon.
This is an excellent safety device that when activated will alert the authorities to which a search and rescue mission will commence. This device is only to be activated if the boat or crew are in grave and imminent danger.
Our friends at Stones Corner Marine will be able to help supply your legal safety equipment including flares, EPIRBs, V-sheets and life jackets.
Stones Corner Marine - www.stonescornermarine.com.au
Motors
If it's a motor you want for your boat you can’t go past Yamaha.
Archie has use all sorts of motors over the years and he finds Yamaha produce a motor you can put your trust in. Their reliability and quietness speaks for itself. Our Yamaha motors never let us down, they just keep purring along.
Of course there are no bad motors just some that are exceptional.
Yamaha Marine - www.yamaha-motor.com.au/marine
Personal Watercraft
A Personal Watercraft is also known by the generic term of Jet Ski and in the early 90's we started using Yamaha Jet Ski's. Well today we are still using them and why wouldn't we as the saying goes "when you are on a good thing stick to it".
The features that are instilled into today’s skis are phenomenal let alone the power that the new machines have. Our Personal Watercraft is the Harley Davidson of Jet Skis
Yamaha WaveRunner - www.waverunner-fan.com
Registration and Insurance
Now don’t stress over the decision of what boat you are going to buy, you can come along to complete our course first, and there you can discuss with Archie what you intend to buy.
Archie will give you an honest opinion, as he has driven many different types of craft over the years and he knows what most boats can and can’t do.
When you have made that decision on which boat you are going to purchase, don’t forget that if the craft has a motor over 4 ph it will need to be registered when used in Queensland waters.
Your boat will be allocated registration symbols and these must be clearly visible in a contrasting colour to the hull of the boat.
The symbols need to be:
75mm on a displacement and non-planing vessel
100 mm on a jet ski
200mm on a planing hull type vessel.
The registration label needs to be placed above the waterline on the PORT hand side of the craft.
Now once your craft is registered, it won’t have any CTP insurance included in the registration, so it is up to the individual to make sure that your craft is insured.
When you complete our training course you will be given a voucher for CLUB MARINE INSURANCE. This will enable you to receive a 10% discount on your boat insurance.
Club Marine are Australia’s largest pleasure craft insurers and you can even get a quote and buy your insurance on line. We think you’ll be rather impressed with their highly competitive quotes.
Club Marine Insurance - www.clubmarine.com.au
