1paulg

I have a long shaft 2005 Johnson 15 hp regularly serviced that you could have for $1700

Although nowhere the same density as in the photo I was really disappointed when spending time in the Adriatic - Croatia ( 2 years ago) the amount of plastic floating around . There seemed little local awareness or initiatives to keep the area clear in an area that is vital for tourism and what would be the Countries biggest export earner . The contrast to how we try to protect our coastline here was really apparent .

Don't use NZI - had a launch insured with them anchor on top of me and drag - enough damage for a claim and NZI refused to cough up because they believe once the anchor is down he isn't liable !!!! Luckily ,my insurance company ( Topsail) paid out and is having to probably pay more than the claim is worth in lawyers fees to get NZI to change their stance

I have tried filling one using gravity but it isn't straight forward as you need the full one inverted so the liquid will run out and the empty one obviously below it ... As IT said when you open the bleed you do lose some -Needs to be a well ventilated place but I never really achieved a very satisfactory fill so gave up. Possibly my timing of releasing the bleed valve was wrong ?

I have two that came with my boat - they are Aussie . Unfortunately as KM mentioned - no one will fill them here as the manufacturer hasn't bothered to go through the red tape and register them in NZ which is a shame as they are so convenient for the marine environment - they don't rust and you see the liquid levels . I think there is a method of cross filling them from a full bottle however I haven't found it very successful ( maybe my technique isn't quite right - but you lose a bit of the gas) . I got them filled when I cruised in the Islands where they didn't worry about the certificati

Everyone will want to get as far up the coast as possible before the northerlies set in - definitely will affect the backmarkers worst

Thats seriously risky stuff -amazing feat!