Boating

QUEENSLAND’S waterways are renowned for being home to many magnificent examples of runabouts from the 1970s and 1980s that have since been refurbished, repowered and kitted out with contemporary electronics. Some of their original manufacturers have even created new corporate divisions that specialise in undertaking these refurbishments. And the standard of work undertaken in some of these restoration projects is …

HAVING owned and fished out of a side console for over 10 years, I have a bit of a soft spot for this style of boat. The reason I feel this way probably relates to how I use the boat, which usually involves fishing two or three-up with a mix of casting and trolling lures or bait fishing, crabbing and …

STACER’S best-selling runabout range has a complete new look for 2018 with the new Sea Master featuring the new Revolution Hull. The new Sea Master range is available in a line-up of new sizes including the 429, 449, 469, 499 and 519 and will replace the current Seaway and Bay Master line ups. A variety of new standard features have …

JL Audio, an innovator in high-end marine audio solutions, recently announced the launch of a new 2.8” weatherproof, powered marine source unit. The MM50 is a high-performance, single-chassis, powered source unit with outstanding audio performance and advanced audio features, specifically designed for marine applications. An easy-to-read, high-brightness, 2.8” full-colour LCD display with separate day/night lighting and display themes, an intuitive …

THE Sydney International Boat Show presents plenty of activities for the whole family, with entertainment, education, interactive displays and presentations designed to make anyone’s day on the water even better. The show opens on August 2 at Darling Harbour, and over the 5 days promises to deliver the very best of boating to more than 60,000 expected visitors. Apart from …

SUNSHINE Coast boaters and ski riders are the big winners with the opening of the coast’s newest marine dealership, Sunshine Coast Yamaha, at Warana. Offering a strong line-up of new Stessco aluminium boat packages, Yamaha outboards and Yamaha WaveRunners, Sunshine Coast Yamaha has everyone covered, from the casual family boater and ski rider to the hard-core offshore fisher and thrill …

MERCURY has announced the addition of multiple new Pro XS outboards – V8 4.6-litre engines in 200hp, 225hp, 250hp and 300hp, along with an all-new V6 3.4-litre 175hp model. These powerful and precise new engines further expand Mercury’s already outstanding offering, representing the next generation of performance. Mercury Marine vice president of global category management John Buelow said, “The unveiling …

EVERY now and then I come across a boat with a fit and finish so fine it’s akin to a luxury car. This was exactly the case when I hit Moreton Bay in the McLay 651 CrossXover Hardtop, which is interesting as this boat is marketed as a hard-core fishing weapon. Leading up to this boat test, McLay’s reputation for …

SATELLITE technology will be used to help protect Queensland’s fishing industry under final vessel tracking guidelines released recently. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said vessel tracking would provide critical information to assist with on-water compliance, validating logbook data to improve the accuracy of information and assist with monitoring the sustainability of fish stocks. “The new Vessel …

BUSH ‘n Beach has brought Nautilus Marine Insurance on board to expand the fine print and provide readers with clear, easy-to-understand and helpful tips on protecting their boating assets. The scenario In a previous column, we explained how you could be entitled to claim a rebate on your boat insurance premium if you advised your insurer in advance that you …