Quintrex has recently taken on an educational role with its dealers in regard to trailer regulations across Australia, which cover many points broadly applicable to boat owners.

Brendon Tait, a Quintrex engineer and designer, explains some of the more important aspects of the regulations. “Current Australian Design Rule (ADR) regulations dictate trailer capacity categories and these must be adhered to,” he said. “It’s something very few boat owners take notice of, but they should certainly be aware of.

“Any BMT (boat, motor, trailer) package sold with an under-capacity trailer is actually un-roadworthy and could have serious legal implications in the advent of an accident. We (Quintrex) have reminded our dealers that, although not illegal in some states, it is extremely unethical to sell a BMT package with an under-capacity trailer.”

Boat weights stated in brochures and on websites are usually dry weights for the standard models that include only standard features. Motor(s), controls, larger fuel capacities, optional extras like livewells and electronics, safety gear and, of course, cargo all add to this dry weight. All these extras add significant weight to the BMT package.

The required trailer capacity or ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) should be calculated as: ATM = Standard boat weight + optional extras fitted + maximum rated engine weight + extra motors, controls and batteries + full fuel load + safety gear + cargo/gear allowance.

Because many modifications are made after sale, it’s extremely important that owners perform this calculation on their rigs to ensure they are legal. If you have just purchased a BMT package, make sure the dealer has done these calculations because an un-roadworthy trailer becomes your problem as soon as the package leaves the dealership. A reputable dealer will do these calculations and ensure you’re not towing around an illegal trailer.

Lastly, remember that stacking a boat full of camping and holiday gear is not what your boat trailer was designed for. It’s important to know the legal limitations of your trailer and abide by the maximum weight allowable.

– Quintrex

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Featherweight Edge Trackers

SECTION: Boating

LIKE the heavy-duty Edge Trackers, the Edgetracker Lite and Ultra Lite series were built with one main aim – stability. A little boat like this has to be stable and the Edge Tracker system delivers.

The 3.4-metre Ultra Lite is designed to become the car-topper of choice for those travelling around Australia. The Edge Tracker 3.4 Ultra Lite weighs only 62kg and is rated to 10hp, while the 3.7 Ultra Lite is only 3kg heavier and has a similar power rating. The Lite series is more durable and features more ribs, welded seats and more structural integrity to allow for larger motors. The 3.4 Edge Tracker Lite weighs 68kg and takes 15hp, while the 3.7 Lite is 75kg and rated to 20hp.

In redesigning the Edge Tracker series, Stessl wanted to build a boat that was even smoother riding without sacrificing the legendary stability. They achieved this by retaining the Edge Tracker system and re-engineering the bow section to flare up at the last possible moment, giving the boat a very flat bottom and a sharp entry.

You can see the latest ‘Edgey’ at a Stessl dealer near you. For more information phone 07 5574 5655.

– Stessl

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Clark – for nearly 40 years

SECTION: Boating

SINCE Bill Mitchell welded up his first boats in his southern Sydney workshop in the 1960s, countless recreational and professional anglers, hire fleet operators, government departments and other commercial operators have relied on a Clark.

Hulls like the Cutter and Abalone have developed over time and have been joined by other lines, including V-nose punts, Magnums and Sunriders, but the Clark commitment to quality and durability remains ever-constant. All Clarks are built of 5251 marine grade alloy with H34 medium temper, opposed to many competitors’ soft-temper H22. All feature the Rhino Ribbing System, in which the maximum distance between bottom ribs is only 38cm, and are built to take today’s four-stroke engines.

In keeping with today’s discerning boaters, Clark boats also offer options including live bait tanks, bowsprits, sports and deluxe centre consoles, transom steps, transducer brackets and much more. To get a copy of the latest Clark brochure phone 07 3271 4400 or fax 07 3271 4054.

– Clark

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Rocking the boat

SECTION: What’s New Boating

THE MAJESTIC CDC9000w waterproof CD player with AM/FM stereo is packed with features.

A CD changer – which allows you to add the 10-stack changer (DVD1010) – makes the CDC9000w the world’s first marine stereo that can play up to 10 DVD movies, all controlled via the front of the stereo or remote control from the DVD1010. The player also has a built-in preset graphic equaliser.

There’s also the option to add a Majestic TM151 15” ultra-slim LCD TV which features Teletext functions and an ultra-bright screen with increased viewing angles from top to bottom and almost 180° from left to right. Plug-and-play technology allows easy connectivity of video, camcorder or Play Station, PC input or DVD player. Just plug a TV antenna into the unit and the built-in tuner will give you a superb quality picture.

Add a Majestic audio controller so you can watch TV with the audio coming from the CDC9000w sound system. With 40 watts RMS per speaker, there’s plenty of power but those wanting can use the line output to a bigger amplifier. The CDC9000w and TM151 are available from recognised marine electronics outlets, or you can visit Australian-owned and operated www.majestic-global.com to locate your nearest dealer.

– Majestic Global

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Savage 5.5 Elite

SECTION: What’s New Boating

SAVAGE Fibreglass Boats has released a totally new runabout model, the Savage 5.5 Elite.

Built by award-winning Whittley Marine, one of the most decorated fibreglass manufacturers in the country, it combines the best from two names renowned for their market leadership and quality. Capable of plenty of offshore work, the high-freeboard 5.5m runabout features heaps of forward and side pocket storage, a beamy 2.26m-wide cockpit for six people, fully carpeted floors, deluxe steering wheel, twin upholstered pedestal seats and rear lounge seats as standard.

Buyers can set their boat apart by creating their own stylish colour scheme with a choice of contemporary designer colours that includes decals, upholstery, carpet and folding canopy options.

For more information or to find your nearest dealer visit www.savageboats.com or phone 1800 114 800.

– Savage

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Magellan: on the right track

SECTION: Boating Filler

THE NEW Magellan ‘Boaties BlueNav Package’ has been a big hit with mariners all over Australia.

The package launches Magellan GPS Systems’ BlueNav Marine Charts Series and includes a Meridian Gold GPS unit, one local BlueNav chart of your choice and a Secure Digital (SD) Card at a bargain price.

For land customers, Magellan’s popular DiscoverAus Outback Pack contains everything you need for adventurous 4WD fun, including the Meridian Gold unit, DiscoverAus on CD ROM and a 64MB SD Card. Magellan has also had great feedback on the colour and mono FX324 chart plotters, which work well with the new BlueNav Charts on water and convert easily to work on land. Large screens and great visibility make the FX324s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Another popular new addition is the SporTrak Color GPS – the only product on the market to offer a full-colour screen with a built-in electronic compass, barometer and thermometer.

Magellan has increased its focus on customer service and aims to continue to fully support all of its dealers nationwide. For more information visit www.magellan.com.au or see your nearest dealer.

– Magellan

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Shannon Outboard expertise

SECTION: What’s New Boating

WHEN IT comes to air-conditioned, carpeted showrooms and acres of glossy boats, Shannon Outboard Service, at 3/41 Leighton Place, Hornsby, doesn’t rate – but few come close in total mechanical expertise, old-fashioned service and a complete range of marine supplies.

“We started up in Willoughby 22 years ago and have been at Hornsby for the past 12 years,” owner Shannon Stocks said. “We supply everything from outboards and sounders to nav lights and bung plugs, and we service and repair all brands of outboards and trailers.

Shannon Outboards Service specialises in Mercury and Mariner outboards and Mercruiser sterndrives and inboards, and won the 2001 Mercury Marine Southern Hemisphere Service Excellence Award. Shannon Outboard Service sells Savage, Brooker and Four Seasons boats and Quicksilver inflatables, with trailers from Dunbier, Boeing and Brooker. “We don’t stock the boats – we’re really a full-blown service organisation with six mechanics working full-time,” Shannon said. “We are a Mercury certified service centre and have decades of experience in all the other brands. Any mechanical repairs on outboards are our forte and we’ll travel, pick up and deliver and are proud of our good old-fashioned service. We aim for same-day turnaround for most service jobs.

“We’re not the cheapest in the industry but we classify ourselves as one of the best because of our customer service and our great expertise.” Phone Shannon Outboard Service on 02 9482 2638 or fax 02 9476 0009. After experiencing their service and commitment to quality – you may never go anywhere else.

– Shannon Outboard Centre

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TITLE: New Jetty Boating owners

SECTION: What’s New Boating

COFFS HARBOUR’S one-stop boating shop, Jetty Boating, is under new ownership.

Doug and Vivienne Gayford are long-time Coffs residents and understand the needs of local boaties and aim to further expand and improve Jetty Boating’s product range as time goes by.

Jetty Boating proudly stocks Quintrex boats, Yamaha and Mercury outboards, Redco trailers, Flip N Easy foldable trailers and have just become agents for the legendary Haines Hunter fibreglass boats. There’s also a huge chandlery selection, MotorGuide electric motors in tiller and bow mounts, a whole range of Sevylor inflatable products including tow tubes and Diveyak inflatable kayaks, Walker Bay poly boats and the nippy Mercury electric scooters. There’s a full range of trailer spares, Fred Williams water skis, Moomba wetsuits and plenty more.

Check out Jetty Boating at 26-28 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour, phone 02 6651 4002, fax 02 6652 1320.

– Jetty Boating

AUTHOR: tag

TITLE: Quintrex solves storage problems

SECTION: What’s New Boating

STORAGE availability is a major factor when choosing a boat. A cluttered deck increases the chance of accidents and generally makes fishing trips cumbersome and mismanaged.

To alleviate the problem, Quintrex offers a variety of roomy roto-moulded storage compartments, enclosed side pockets and other innovative storage options. Roto-moulding is a process where a polyethylene plastic compound is used to make storage bins, boxes and anchor wells, offering many benefits over other materials. Roto-moulded anchor wells eliminate galvanic action and corrosion and the combination of foam flotation and roto-moulded side pockets reduces noise. Deep underfloor roto-moulded storage compartments ensure tackle and gear is safely stowed away.

To accommodate the side flotation, side pockets have been redesigned to hold handy items. Quintrex accommodates a small foot-size gap where the floor adjoins the side section to create a secure grip and help correct stance when fighting big fish in open waters.

Customer feedback is an integral part of the company's growth, which has accounted for many novel additions such as cargo netting under consoles, lockable gloveboxes and fold-down drink holders as standard across most of the range.

For more information see your nearest dealer or visit www.quintrex.com.au.

– Quintrex