Offsite 13

ISSUE 13 JUNE/JULY 2019

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD! INSIDE ISSUE 13

PICKING A 4X4 VEHICLE TRAILER BOAT DIY

WIN A PAIR OF

OAKLEY SUNGLAS SSES PG 7

TRADIE PROFILE TOM TTO OM BILKEY BILKEY

VEHICLE TEST Nissan Navara

ST-X

PART 1

SMOKING FISH

Get yourself a new Suzuki Ultimate Outboard and pay no interest for 24 months. But be quick, it’s for a very limited time. www.marine.suzuki.co.nz

0% INTEREST

Offer available on models 40hp and up. Suzuki Marine Finance to approved purchasers only from $0 deposit. Normal lending criteria applies.

Please go to www.marine.suzuki.co.nz/finance-calculator for more information.

TRACTA62020_ROS

SUZUKI ULTIMATE OUTBOARD MOTORS GOING FAST.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD! WELCOME TO EDITION THIRTEEN OF RHEEM OFF-SITE

COOL CHANGES CONTENTS 04 SMOKING FISH – PART 1 07 OAKLEY WINNERS AND WIN WITH OAKLEY 08 RHEEM 10 VEHICLE TEST – NISSAN NAVARA ST-X 14 TRADIE PROFILE – TOM BILKEY 18 CHOOSING A 4X4 FOR WORK & PLAY 20 TRAILERBOAT DIY

W

inter is here but don’t fret, there are still plenty of opportunities for the outdoor inclined and this edition of Rheem OffSite is here to help! We kick things off on pg 4 with keen jig and topwater fisherman Matt ‘Smokey’ Oak laying down the basics of preparing fish for smoking – the first of a two-part series.

Turn to pg 19 to find a great instructional piece on trailerboat DIY and maintenance by handyman Eric Hannah. Next cab of the rank, starting on pg 10, is Nick Jones’s Tradie Profile about Tom Bilkey – a keen fisherman and waterman who runs his own civil construction company. Automotive journalist Jacqui Madelin rounds off this edition on pg 14 with an article on what to look for when choosing a 4x4 for work and more adventurous things like towing the boat.

THE OFF-SITE CREW

off-Site is published bi-monthly by NZ Fishing Media Ltd. Offices are located at 177B Marua Road, Ellerslie, Auckland, Ph (09) 579 4060.

THE BOSS Grant Blair QS Grant Dixon PROJECT MANAGER Nick Jones ARCHITECT Ricky Harris CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Sarah Ng HAMMER HAND (Advertising) Scott Taylor 021 862 579 sales@nzfishingnews.co.nz EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Grant Dixon 0274 925 533 grant@nzfishingnews.co.nz Cover Dan Westerkamp Advertising within this publication is subject to NZ Fishing Media Ltd’s standard advertising terms and conditions, a copy of which is available online at www.fishing.net.nz or by calling (09) 579 4060

off-Sitenz

03

off-Site Smoking meat

By Matt (Smokey) Oak

Part 1

People have been smoking fish since ancient times, dating as far back as the caveman era. Back then, due to lack of refrigeration, the purpose of curing and smoking meats was purely functional – meat preservation and human survival.

04

Rheem off-Site

A

lthough fish is still smoked for preservation, over time the process has evolved, and fish is now commonly smoked to enhance flavour and offer an alternative meat appearance and texture.

The topic of smoking fish can be complex as there are countless techniques and opinions. It is both a science and an art that is understood through the act of trial and error as there are so many variables to the equation: fish species, fat content, size of cut, size of smoking chamber, ambient temperature, humidity, breeze etc.

In its purest form, smoking fish is the process of removing moisture content from the meat to slow down the growth of bacteria.

In its purest form, smoking fish is

Smaller fish are well-suited for splitting open

the process of removing moisture content from the meat to slow down the growth of bacteria. Taste and shelf life will depend on the smoke temperature and length of smoking.

Each smoking scenario is different, and the method can be as simple or as technical as you wish. Use your own judgment and develop a method that suits you as there is no definitive technique. As the saying goes though, good things take time, and that applies to most of the following phases. Important stages in smoking are cleaning/processing, curing, drying, smoking and storing.

Depending on the temperature in the smoking chamber, the process can generally be divided into either cold smoking or hot smoking, with ‘warm’ smoking being somewhere in-between. These will be briefly explained in Part 2 of this series.

Cleaning & Processing If keeping a fish for smoking, dispatch it quickly and humanely then bleed the fish before chilling.

A lot of the bacteria present in a fish is in its digestive tract so it can be beneficial to gut and gill while at sea. Avoid exposing the flesh to fresh water – if the fish needs to be washed while processing use salt water only.

It helps to have a clean, spacious workstation and a variety of ‘tools’ when butchering fish. Fish can be processed differently depending on the species and size. If leaving the skin on, rub it dry before processing as the slime on most fish is the perfect habitat for bacteria. Larger fish should be broken down into sections such as fillets or steaks and smaller fish can be split open to smoke whole, or filleted. When processing larger fish try to cut fillets or steaks to similar sizes to help with uniform smoking times and attempt to remove as much blood as possible.

Curing & Brining The two following stages of curing and drying are as important,

Larger fish should be steaked or chunked into uniform pieces

off-Sitenz

05

Kingfish are a top smoking option.

if not more, than the smoking itself. Curing fish is essential for smoking because it draws moisture out of the protein, kills surface bacteria, and flavours the meat.

Fish must be cured before smoking by either applying a dry rub or soaking in a liquid brine. Both methods use salt or sugar, or more commonly, both. Use a fine sea salt and avoid iodised salt as it imparts a bitter taste. Other ingredients that may be added to a brine are herbs, spices, rum, whiskey, soy sauce, honey, ginger etc.

Dry salting may be used instead of liquid salt brines, but brines will give a more uniform salting. A dry cure can be used when refrigerator space is limited or just for ease. A basic dry rub may consist of sea salt and soft brown sugar at a ratio of

Try to cut fillets or steaks into similar sizes to help with uniform smoking times.

Curing fish is essential for smoking because it draws moisture out of the protein, kills surface bacteria, and flavours the meat.

It’s important to have the right tools for the job when processing whole fish

06

Rheem off-Site

1:1 or 1:2. The more cure applied to the flesh, the more efficient the cure will be and the longer the shelf life will be. However, if a ‘salty’ taste is not desired make your cure ratio holds enough sugar. Once rubbed, or sprinkled, place the pieces of fish in a plastic container or tub large enough and refrigerate for 1-5 days (minimum 24 hours). Moisture extracted from the fish by the cure will pool in the container so periodically drain it off.

A typical brine may consist of 2 cups of salt and 2 cups of

brown sugar to 5 litres of water (unchlorinated if possible) with quantities adjusted to taste. Make sure the brine is chilled before using it on the fish. The stronger the brine, the shorter the time of brining. Depending on the type of fish, it should be brined anywhere from 2-24 hours and should be completely submerged in the solution - use weights if necessary.

Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 of my Smoking Fish series in the next edition of Rheem OffSite which will cover drying, smoking, and storing.

Larger fish should be steaked or chunked into uniform pieces.

e f i L See ently r e f f i D

ďŹ shing in the Andre Bouterey, er Break BOP over the East

Blair Savage, catching a quick read during a break for the roar trip Easter weekend, spot x somewhere in the south wairarapa

SEND S END IN A SHOT OF YOU AND ND D YOUR COPY OF OFF-SITE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Include a caption of who, what, when and where the picture was taken. You could win one of two Oakley Polarised Caliber Sunglasses valued at $299 per pair. The winners will have their photos published in our next issue of Rheem off-Site.

Post a pic at https://www.facebook.com/offsitenz/ or https://www.offsitenz.co.nz/

KEATING NAILS ALL 6 IN RECORD TIME When Whangaparaoa plumber Glenn Keating heard he had won the draw through Chesters Plumbing to take on the Rheem Big 6 Challenge, he thought he had a good chance of being the first to crack all six. For Glenn has a long history of lucky wins – from overseas trips to other large prizes.

01 02 10

This is year eight in the history of the Big 6 and the highest score was back in 2016 when Wellington’s Tony Cain managed to bag five.

It took several attempts but he finally hooked and boated

DAY

HOURS

MINUTES

a nice Kingfish. Then we stopped inside the Aldermen, put out some berley and soon had two Snapper and two Kahawai.”

The Score = Two fish (we counted the Kahawai and the Kingfish).

A three-hour dash saw the team sneaking through the bush south of Rotorua and although he had never fired a big rifle, Glenn, with the help of guide Dave, lined up a 12-point red Stag which was feeding on the edge of a clearing. Thirty minutes later he added a Billy Goat to the tally.

The Score = Four points.

Glenn made Big 6 history with a little help from the locals.

“That is why it’s called a Challenge,” said host Geoff Thomas. “You are always up against the vagaries of the weather in the outdoors, and fish can be fickle. Then you have the game animals which are usually out feeding at dawn and dusk so you have to plan around that.”

Glenn’s adventure started at the Tairua Sports Fishing Club where Geoff introduced him to local legend Carl Muir who seemed confident Glenn would have his two fish pretty quickly. True to his words, “We caught live baits at Slipper Island then headed for the Aldermen group of islands half an hour offshore. Well, as we got further out the sea got bigger and the wind was honking,” said Geoff. “Carl stopped on his secret spot out in the middle of nowhere and held the boat stern-on to the wind and sea as Glenn and his wing man, Sholto, dropped live yellowtails.

“We have struggled with the hunting over the years, but everything came together beautifully this time” said Geoff.

“It must be Glenn’s lucky streak.”

Only two Trout were needed to get the six. The next morning at Lake Tarawera the Trout were very obliging and after landing two good sized fish, Glenn had the first Rheem Big 6 Challenge in the bag. In what usually is a 48 hour challenge, it took Glenn 26 hours and 10 minutes, which will be the benchmark for future challengers to aim at.

Final Score = Six points (Kingfish, Kahawai, Stag, Billy Goat, and two Trout).

The next Big 6 Challenger is Murray French of Belfast Plumbing.

Congratulations Murray!

Introducing the NEW

rheem.co.nz

your destination for everything hot water easy to use mobile-friendly product libraries technical guides

Top: Glenn was “over the moon” with his 12-point Stag.

Middle: Carl Muir, Glenn Keating and Geoff Thomas are happy with the first fish – a nice Kingfish.

Bottom: Glenn’s Billy Goat was a sizeable trophy.

TM

off-Site Test drive

Nissan Navara

ST-X

ticks the towing boxes Some six years ago when NZ Fishing News editor, Grant Dixon, was in the market for a new tow vehicle, the corporate constraints of the time limited his spend, although there was a concession on safety – it had to tow three tonnes of braked trailer and boat! The selection process was an interesting one…

10

Rheem off-Site

I

went down the utility route and was able to tow-test drive four of the more popular models, including a Nissan Navara. It didn’t win first prize and wasn’t even on the podium.

It got points off for the harshness of the ride, not a great turning circle and most importantly, didn’t tow that well - it was a bit gutless.

Fortunately, the company accountant

was not making the decision, as it was the best priced at the time.

Six years on and I was presented with the opportunity to re-judge the new-look Navara and liked the re-vamp. Deputy editor Miah Dixon and I took it from Auckland to Waipu and back for the weekend, towing at various times our own personal boat Tackle Tester, a FC 535 Centre Console – and the company project boat Fishing News - a Buccaneer Billfisher 735. These weighed in at just under one and three tonne respectively and represent a fair challenge to the Navara, especially Fishing News.

When I first drove the Navara sans boat, I was impressed with how nimble it was. Off the mark it is quick thanks to the twin turbo 2.3 litre DOHC intercooled diesel. It handled nicely, sat firmly through the corners with little or no body roll and was

comfortable to drive thanks to the eight-way electrically adjusting driver’s seat. The vehicle had come a long way from the ‘agricultural’ performance of my earlier test drive.

Around town and general highway driving gets the big tick. Even under heavy braking the Navara pulled up straight and quickly. The suspension is firm and the Navara holds well into the corners both with and without the boat on behind.

So, to the towing. First up was Tackle Tester which we launched into the surf at Waipu Cove, a task we normally perform with a tractor. I put the Navara in four-wheel drive for the exercise, but need not have worried. Pulling the boat through both the lower hard-packed sand, as well as the softer stuff above the high-water mark was not a challenge.

When retrieving a boat off the sand

you need to be careful not to stay in one place for too long, giving the water time to dig the sand out from under the wheels creating a hole and a potential issue. No such trouble this day and launching and retrieving the 5.35 metre boat was easy. Another box ticked.

Now for the big boat. The Enduro tandem trailer under Fishing News is braked on both axles with an electric override system as required by law for a laden trailer weighing more than 2500kg.

I had my doubts about the ability of a 2.3 litre motor being able to do the job. The Navara’s sevenspeed auto – with manual option – towed the boat up the hills well.

The manual option was handy to maintain control especially on the downhill bits. Anyone who knows the road between Waipu Cove and

From top: Tying a deck load down securely is made easier with the moveable Utili-track system, a feature unique to the Navara; Eighteen inch alloy wheels are standard on the ST-X models; A ‘360 surround’ camera image is an interesting and practical safety feature;

Launching and retrieving off Waipu Cove beach was well within the capabilities of the Navara ST-X 4x4 off-Sitenz

11

The tight, steep corners of the Mangawhai-Waipu Road are a good test for any tow vehicle.

Mangawhai will appreciate it has some tight twists and turns both ways and with plenty of traffic you need to be careful to stay well within your lane, especially around the two ‘25kmh’ signposted corners.

Both these corners have become corrugated over the hot summer and the Navara maintained good traction, although only in two-wheel-drive, while dragging the boat up the steep incline while turning quite sharply.

I would be quite comfortable towing the Buccaneer for the long haul. Another box ticked.

The Navara we were given for the weekend was the top-of-the line model and had several innovative features that impressed me. Any angler who uses a double cab utility vehicle will appreciate the shortcomings they have when it comes to transporting longer

For a full set of specs and the Navara range, go to https://www.nissan.co.nz/cars-vehicles/navara/range-and-pricing

12

Rheem off-Site

one-piece rods. Nissan have fixed this with an electrically-operated sliding back window - obviously its Japanese designers were fishermen!

Carrying unusually shaped or heavy loads requires good anchor points.

The Navara has four standard securing points in the tray, but particularly useful is its ‘Utili-track’ system which enables the user to slide the anchor points in rails fitted the length of the deck.

On the way up Miah brought a kayak – notoriously slippery and difficult to secure – which was held in place using tie-downs and the Utili-track set to where the anchor points were most effective.

The other feature was the camera system. While the standard reversing camera was nothing new, what was impressive was separate display it showed 360-degree, birds eye

view around the vehicle – great when manoeuvring in tight spaces or when making sure there are no children or animals in your path.

The vehicle has all the mod-cons you would expect from a range’s top model. There is plenty of safety built into the ST-X 4x4. Brake assist, downhill descent control – great for off-road – hill start assist, and advanced driver assist to nominate some of the key ones.

The only feature I found a little annoying was the compass; illuminated with bright orange digital display, in the lefthand corner of the rear vision mirror, It was quite distracting until I found the off-button!

Apart from that small niggle, I found the Navara a solid vehicle, well-appointed and comfortable – ticking all the tow boxes.

off-Site Tradie profile

Tom Bilkey

By Nick Jones

Tom Bilkey certainly isn’t your average bloke. He’s a work hard, play hard civil engineer who loves beer almost as much as he loves the outdoors.

I

caught up with Tom at one of his sites on a crisp Autumn morning.

Tom’s company Development Construction Ltd, which he owns and runs, specialises in civil works. Services offered include subdivisions, drainage, retaining walls, earthworks and infrastructure works. Development Construction Ltd operates through the Auckland region, and Tom undoubtedly racks up a few kilometres bouncing between his sites.

He gained his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland, before moving down to Christchurch to start his professional career working for Downer Infrastructure and then Hicks Bros Civil Construction. By all accounts he was a busy chap during this period, working on projects such as the sizeable Pegasus development

14

Rheem off-Site

whilst playing club rugby and escaping into the wilderness at any opportunity. His mainland outdoor experiences varied from 4x4ing and hunting around the mountains to salmon fishing at the rivermouths.

Eventually the climate, friends and nightlife opportunities drew him back to his hometown of Auckland where he continued working for Hicks Bros – this time as a Project Manager at the sprawling Long Bay and Weiti Bay subdivisions.

His contract procurement and management, client liaison, financial control, and staff supervision experience put him in good stead for going out on his own in early 2017. Since then he has successfully completed many projects at the helm of Development Construction Ltd, and also had a foray into forestry.

He reckons he has learnt a lot over

Tom Bilkey at one of his current sites

off-Sitenz

15

From left: Tom’s 65kg yellowfin is a wicked capture in NZ waters; A proficient jigger and livebaiter, Tom loves dealing to kingfish the last couple of years – sometimes the hard way which we all know is generally the best way! He’s proud of where the company now is, with happy clients and head contractors, committed staff, some impressive machinery and an unblemished health and safety record.

When he’s not sampling the beverages found at his local pubs, Tom relishes his opportunities to

Tom with a chunky Coromandel Kingfish

16

Rheem off-Site

get outdoors. Tom comes from sailing blood, and he’s often seen cruising the Hauraki Gulf on the family yacht Grand Larceny – a beautifully conditioned Farr 11.6 that’s seen more than its fair share of adventures. At school Tom sailed through the various yacht classes at a high-level, and although he no longer competes, he does sate his need for speed on his

“He’s one of the most proficient kingfish jiggers I’ve seen and has caught multiple marlin m ma rlin n and and trophy trop tr ophy hy yellowfin tuna.” tuna tu na.”.

windsurfer along Auckland’s city bays when conditions allow. When he’s not on the water, he’s partial to donning the freediving gear and harvesting crayfish and scallops.

And when his favourite scallop spot is covered by less than 2m of water at low-tide why wouldn’t he!

Nevertheless, his favourite off-site pursuit is fishing. He loves catching the more powerful fish species – in particular kingfish, marlin and tuna.

He’s one of the most proficient kingfish jiggers I’ve seen and has caught multiple marlin and trophy yellowfin tuna from small boats over the last few years. And while the more sedate snapper fishing doesn’t really float his boat, he’s pretty adept at flicking a softbait or kabura out and snagging a quick feed. In spite of all his fishing strengths, there are two minor drawbacks to being his fishing mate: 1. He does not rouse from his slumber easily, particularly if he’s had a few nightcaps the previous evening – he generally snoozes his alarm at least five times!

2. He’s written off a few chilly bins from neglecting them after fishing trips.

Being an engineer, he’s a good man to have on-board when McGyveresque solutions are required for boating and fishing equipment issues. This attribute will really come in handy when he realises his dream of owning a decent gamefishing boat, which I’m sure will happen in the near future given the success of Development Construction Ltd. As they say – ‘the bigger the boat the bigger the problems’!

APPRENTICES GROW BUSINESS. LET ATT GROW YOUR BUSINESS. ATT has been providing quality managed apprentices to New Zealand industry for over 27 years.

GASFITTING

DRAINLAYING

PLUMBING

APPRENTICESHIPS MADE EASY...

RECRUITMENT ] Ɋ11 M=DAL ?=KA HB MļA AGMŏKA KA?KNŏMFAGM IKH?ALL PA EHHD BHK F=MNKA RHNGC IAHIEA PļH ļ=OA F=@A = ?HFFŏMFAGM MH MļA AEA?MKŏ?=E MK=@A =G@ ļ=OA MļA =>ŏEŏMR MH LN??AA@

CERTAINTY ] Ɋ11 AFIEHRL MļA =IIKAGMŏ?A BHK MļA EAGCMļ HB MļAŏK =IIKAGMŏ?ALļŏI =G@ PA =ŏF MH DAAI MļA =IIKAGMŏ?A PŏMļ MļA L=FA %HLM MļKHNCļHNM MļAŏK MŏFA %HLML HGER I=R BHK MļA ļHNKL MļA Ɋ11 =IIKAGMŏ?A ŏL PHKDŏGC BHK MļA %HLM >NLŏGALL

MENTORING ] Ɋ11 ŏL I=LLŏHG=MA =>HNM FAGMHKŏGC =IIKAGMŏ?AL PA ļ=OA KACNE=K ?HGM=?M PA CŏOA MļAF =G ŏG@AIAG@AGM OHŏ?A =G@ PA AGLNKA MļAR KAF=ŏG HG MK=?D PŏMļ MļAŏK LMN@R =G@ HG ņH> MK=ŏGŏGC

SUCCESS ] Ɋ11 =IIKAGMŏ?AL ļ=OA = ļŏCļ LN??ALL K=MA =EEHPŏGC MļA %HLM MH ?HG?AGMK=MA HG MļAŏK >NLŏGALL PļŏEA Ɋ11 ļ=G@EAL =GR ŏLLNAL PŏMļ MļA =IIKAGMŏ?A}L MK=ŏGŏGC =G@ IAKBHKF=G?A

GUARANTEE ] Ɋ11 HŋAKL = MļKAA PAAD ļ=G@>=?D HIMŏHG x |BHK =GR KA=LHG}

=EEHPŏGC MļA %HLM MH ŏGOALM ŏG CKHPŏGC MļAŏK >NLŏGALL PŏMļ EALL KŏLD =G@ CKA=MAK ŊAQŏ>ŏEŏMR

CONTACT US TODAY TO DISCUSS THE BENEFITS OF ATT IN MORE DETAIL It is really hard to find good caliber apprentices. ATT understands our business needs which help them select apprentices who are most suited to our company. ATT provide essential support and guidance throughout the apprentices training and takes the hard work out of recruiting new apprentices.

0800 187 878

GILLIAN WESTBROOKE - LASER PLUMBING EAST TAMAKI

www.att.org.nz

ŏGBH =MM HKC GS

off-Site 4x4 vehicles

Picking a 4x4 for Work & Play

By Jacqui Madelin

You might think choosing a rugged new vehicle that’d suit work or towing your boat would be easy. After all, as long as the tow rating suits the job at hand, you simply go for the SUV or ute which hits the right price point, surely?

B

ut it’s not so easy nowadays.

By the end of March, 2019 SUVs made up 43.1% of the new-vehicle market in New Zealand – with utes at a further 25.2%. There were 35 ‘medium’ SUV models and 49 ‘large’ at all prices, and 19 models of 4x4 ute. Prices and specification levels vary widely.

To avoid brain-bending confusion, you’ll need a short list of bottomline requirements. What weight is your trailer and load? Will the vehicle double as a family car, and what kinds of journeys will it do?

Do you need a ute’s open tray, or is the security of a closed SUV more important than load flexibility?

Would a single cab ute do, or will you

18

Rheem off-Site

need a double cab, and finally, do you actually go off road, or simply look on four-wheel-drive as a bonus when towing, in which case high ground clearance and a low-range transmission aren’t vital.

The further the body sits from terra firma and the longer-travel the suspension, the more truck-like the ride and extreme the body roll, so serious off-road ability doesn’t just determine how far bush you can go, but how comfortable you and your passengers will be on the road. Some brands consider on-road refinement as a core value – VW’s Amarok ute may be your choice if that’s vital – while others try to have their cake and eat it too, some

‘serious offroad ability doesn’t just determine how far bush you can go, but how comfortable you and your passengers will be’

more successfully than others. Ford’s Ranger leads Toyota’s Hilux in our market partly because it juggles both requirements more ably than its competitor, but you don’t have to dig far to realize that Mazda’s BT-50 is similarly clever, and a whisker more affordable.

Next, powerplants. Diesel engines offer plenty of torque, and cheaper fuel costs than conventional petrols.

But hybrids also cut petrol costs and deliver plenty of low-rev torque, as that’s where electric motors pull most strongly. They deliver lower emissions too – especially during city driving, which may be a factor for some. And yes, there are a few hybrids that tow. Toyota’s just-

the nine-speed auto’s shift patterns to deliver better torque or traction when you need it. Acadia also comes with seven seats, auto emergency braking to cut fender benders, blind-spot alert and rear cross traffic alert, all features becoming common on mid-range mass-market models.

Even those seeking simply the highest tow rating for their dollar will be spoiled for choice. Mahindra’s cut-price pickup at $29,990 for the double-cab will haul 2500kg, while many established brands will accommodate a 3500kg trailer, with Ford’s Ranger, Toyota’s Hilux, Holden’s Colorado, Nissan’s Navara, Mazda’s BT-50 and Isuzu’s D-Max just a few of the utes capable of it. The Ram 1500 leviathan can – using a pintle – manage over 6000kg. launched fifth-generation RAV4 hybrid will haul a 1500kg braked trailer, is a larger and better than any of its immediate predecessors and boasts a plethora of bonus spec and safety features.

As much as any of the age-old considerations, don’t forget to factor in the advantages of modern safety technology, especially as it pertains to towing. Especially if you haven’t bought new for a while – there’s been a revolution on this front. Some features until recently only available to buyers of high-end Euro metal have filtered down to the mass market, and not just to SUVs and utes. Even vans may come with lanekeeping tech, surround cameras and

blind-spot warnings. Yep, surround cameras – which show you a bird’seye view of your surroundings – are a thing, though for trailer purposes most useful will be a good reversing camera, especially if it includes parking guidelines that move as you turn the wheel to display your likely heading, and a marker to indicate where the tow bar will end up.

Some vehicles do more. Consider Holden’s big, brash Acadia, which not only gets hitch guidance with hitch view from its rear-view camera and a centre guideline to help you line up that trailer, but lets you check on it when you’re driving. Moreover, there’s a trailer/ tow drive setting which will alter

“Even those seeking simply the highest tow rating for their dollar will be spoiled for choice.”

We’ve left cars out of this equation, given the vast array of SUV and ute models to choose from, though many also offer the sort of fourwheel grip that assists with towing – think Subaru, or VW’s 4Motion systems. Consider the lot and you’re back to where you started – confused, and likely to let your heart, and a nice bit of chrome, rule your head.

So work out if you want a ute or SUV. Consider the likely mileages, the tow rating, your bottom line for safety – both in terms of tech and crash ratings – and your budget. That should leave you a manageable short list for those test drives. Good luck!

off-Sitenz

19

off-Site DIY - Trailer boat

TRAILER BOAT DIY

By Eric Hannah

Being a natural tinkerer and all-around handyman, and having owned trailerboats for decades, Eric Hannah is a good man to listen to when it comes to trailerboat DIY.

20

Rheem off-Site

1

2

I

purchased my current boat Bob a few years ago. The trailer was a mess – having been used for beach launching at Port Waikato and most likely not washed down properly after trips. However, the Surtees 5.5 hull was in good knick and the Yamaha outboard, although only a 90hp 2-stroke, only had 115hrs on the clock. Since, then I’ve progressively improved her into a more versatile, user-friendly and reliable boat that is more than capable of going well offshore (especially now with the Honda 4-stroke upgrade!).

Trailer The first port of call for Bob was to sort the rusty trailer out. Areas of corrosion can detract from the overall appearance of both your trailer and accompanying boat, and if left to degenerate further, can cause structural damage. I didn’t bother fully regalvanising the trailer, which is a professional job and involves totally stripping down your trailer and renewing the zinc coating.

Instead, I sanded back the corroded areas using an anglegrinder with

3

5

wirebrush, and drill with wirebrush for the tighter spots. After this, I coated the areas with blackguard paint which helps kill further rusting and then painted over with zincgalve paint.

This patch-up job worked for a few years, but the damage had already been done to the side beams. Luckily, Epic trailers can provide replacement trailer parts that are relatively easy to change over at home – the hardest part is knocking the beams into alignment with the u-bolts with a soft dumpy hammer or equivalent.

Once the trailer was up to standard, I installed a flushing system that a hose attaches to and washes down the internal parts of the trailer beams. This was simple – all I did was purchase garden irrigation parts including 360-degree sprinklers and pushed these down the trailer’s length.

Fuel Bob came with the standard 80l underfloor fuel tank. However, I wanted to extend the range for those big gamefishing trips without having to use jerry cans while rolling around

1) Replacement side beams can breathe new life into a trailer; 2) The author’s internal trailer flushing system; 3) The tote tank feed and connection is stored high and dry above the bilge; 4) Stacking self-draining bins are handy on the deck; 5) The author installs his own electronics; 6) The fuel capacity has increased by installing outboard fuel fittings to the fuel filter for tote tanks; 7) The internal flushing system easily connects to a hose.

4

6

7 off-Sitenz

21

General tips • Use Saltaway for flushing the engine and washing down the boat and trailer DIY outriggers from blanks.

out at sea. My solution was attaching an outboard fuel fitting onto the fuel filter. I connected a fitting thread onto the main fuel line so you can detach this from the fuel filter and attach in its place attach a tote tank feed. I keep the tote tank feed out of the way and out of the water by having another outboard fuel fitting it connects to sitting clear above the bilge.

Batteries I installed twin batteries for safety and peace of mind as I know a little bit about wiring. Ensure your heavy batteries are centred to minimise listing and label the house and start batteries so you know which one you’re testing or charging.

Filleting bench I prefer filleting at sea and taking the cleaned fillets and fish frames home. However, pretty much all

standard baitboards on trailerboats are too small to deal with larger fish.

To fix this I cut a large rectangular plank of wood to measure so its narrow end fits into the standard Surtees aluminium baitboard area. I then marked where the new board met the outer lip on the aluminium baitboard area and cut a groove so the new board fits into this groove and hangs over creating a bench.

The final piece was drilling a metal shelf on the back of the aluminium baitboard area to hold the new board in place. The board hides away neatly when not in use between the end of the squab and the helm area. I fish out of Gisborne, so my large board is great for filleting deepwater slimies like Bluenose and Gemfish. There is even enough space for one person to fillet and the other to skin and bone on the opposite side!

• Install a deckwash pump to wash away mess straight away when on the water • Use stacking bins on the deck that self-drain (e.g. drill holes in the base) – handy to store items such as iki spikes or cray measures, for rinsing fillets in seawater, and to clean your gear after a trip • Install rubbertube matting on your floor – good for bare feet and reduces things like chilly bins sliding around • Put Rainex on your windows (even if you have a wiper) • If you have cable steering, make sure you turn the wheel regularly when the boat is sitting at home to help prevent it seizing

1

WE WANT YOU! THE AIM OF RHEEM OFF-SITE IS TO FEATURE SOME OF THE INTERESTING OUTDOOR STORIES TRADIES HAVE TO TELL. YOUR STORIES! Send us your best hunting, fishing, diving and outdoors images as well - we have a pair of top quaility Oakley sunglasses to be given away each month for the best image.

Tradies, Rheem off-Site is YOUR magazine. Please share your experiences and adventures with us. You don't have to be a puiltzer prize-winning writer that is our job!

D!

• Leave your engine down when stored at home so water can fully drain out

ISSUE 12 2019 MAY APRIL/MAY

HARD! D, PLAY HAR Y HAR KD, LAY WOR , PPLA ARD HAR KH RK R OR O WO

N WIN A PAIR OF

• Installing a steering-wheel with a knob handle helps manoeuvring

2

3

1) Twin batteries provide peace of mind; 2) The author’s huge filleting bench; 3) The filleting bench tucks away neatly when not in use.

22

Rheem off-Site

• It’s easy to make your own outriggers using Kilwell blanks

EY OAKLEY PG 7

SES SSES SUNGLAS

TRADIE PROFILE

T HOW TO SHOO S MORE DUCK

EATING METERS ON A STAG HUNT

TALK TO US SO WE CAN SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH OTHERS. Grant Dixon 0274 925 533 grant@nzfishingnews.co.nz

100% owned

by Kiwi tradies.

100% backing your business.

Whether you’re just starting out, growing your business, or taking a step back, the plumbing industry is nonstop. We’d know – Plumbing World is 100% Kiwi-owned by 100% real tradies.

It’s about backing your plumbing business in your office, on the tools, and into the future.

Talk to us about how you can earn MaxPoints on every purchase, and take the rewards even further by becoming a Plumbing World shareholder. plumbingworld.co.nz Your team in black.

Branches nationwide 0800 800 686

23

“If it’s ever

raiNing and we’ve got footings to be Dug,

it’s me.”

Building stories. When you live to support those who live to build, you ou em. spend a lot of time listening to them.

It’s how we learn what makes yourr business tick so we can give you alll the support you need to get the job done. ne.

That’s what makes us the buildingg supplies specialist.