ROADMASTER BOAT TRAILERS
I spend a lot of time at boat ramps witnessing boat launch ‘procedures’ that go belly up and can involve embarrassment, abuse, damage to boats, vehicles and sometimes even people. You could write a book on ways to launch and retrieve a vessel, all dependent on boat size, model, launch location, wind, ocean conditions, number of people at the boat ramp and your mental state at the time. One thing that remains constant though, is the boat trailer you are using. Many people spend big dollars on boats and fishing equipment, but scrimp on the trailer. Even when purchasing a new boat, it is not necessarily the best option to go with what the boat manufacturer includes in the package, as it may not meet your needs. My Roadmaster boat trailer, now in its 7th year, has been dragged over 80,000kms throughout WA, with only bearings, tyres and the occasional boat roller replaced. It’s an absolute gem! All my skipper’s courses include a detailed explanation of the features of this trailer to emphasise the benefits of a quality product and possibly avoid those embarrassing or worse moments at the boat ramp. These features include, ‘EQ’ rear tilt loading system (better than the break-back system in my view), drop down 3rd wheel ( no backing the truck into the ocean for beach launching ), grilled carriage for storage, checker plate walkway ( easier and safer for retrievals) number plate fixed to a flexible mount, Dyneema synthetic winch cable (no risk of being smashed by a breaking steel cable), offroad 15’ wheels and the list goes on. Truth be known, I am currently investigating upgrading my training vessel and you can bet when I do that I will be putting it on top of a new Roadmaster trailer. Check out their website at www.roadmasterboattrailers.com.au or give Shane a call on 92712229 to discuss the options.
Before answering last week’s question, thanks to Robbie Carter for phoning me to check the answer to a question from a few week’s ago regarding the first iron ore shipment to leave Port Hedland. Robbie had worked in the Pilbara for thirty years and was able to identify that the first vessel to leave Port Hedland with iron ore was from the Goldsworthy mine and appropriately named Harvey. S. Mudd. On further research, it was revealed that this vessel actually left Port Hedland on June 1,1966 and that it was ore from Newman that was later shipped in 1969. While we chatted on the phone about his time up here, of course the conversation turned to fishing. Robbie reckoned back then that the fish were almost jumping into your boat and his favorite, all time, best catching and eating fish was Mangrove Jack. On further questioning about this prized species, he mentioned a beach launching area, where he turned left, then left again, then up into the mangroves, caught the incoming tide and had about forty minutes of decent fishing time. Might sound like vague directions, but with a bit of ingenuity, sense of adventure and a day off work, that might be all I need to get amongst them. Jacks are a well known ‘ambush’ fish and Robbie was keen to remind me that you need to go hard once hooked up as they will head straight for structure. See how I go next week!
So to answer last week’s question, the more common name for blue-lined emperor is ‘black snapper’. This week’s question is, ‘What is an Angel Ring?’
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