Fish

Apparently they get addicted to naturally occurring waves, and, err, ocean swell. This also causes hardship and poor outcomes, because, oh, actually, that hasn't been studied yet, and there are no peer review scientific papers that describe the effect of natural waves on the social, economic and cultural outcomes of dolphins.

I don't understand why we need scientific peer reviewed papers to determine whether or not boats cause harm to dolphins. Dolphins have been playing in bow waves for millenia. I don't understand why common sense can't be applied, both from the rule makers and boaters. It obviously causes harm if you coral, herd, drive through or chase dolphins. There are already a pile of rules around that - as far as I know those rules are nation wide and well known. And they existed in the BoI. In terms of common sense with the rule makers, this story about the rule maker - DOC - speaks volumes. Couldn'

What we have here is a clear example of PC twaddlebollocks suppressing basic debate. Possibly what people refer to nowdays as woke-ness. The top poster is clearly of reasonable intellect and capable of a degree of independent thought. They can't understand aspects of this new rule, which clearly has a number of short comings. Upon posting his questions and commentary, instead of getting considered responses and informed discussion, he gets told he can't think like that, or at least express his thoughts publicly. It is not really clear to me why he can't express his thoughts publicly.

Yawn. A yacht has never killed a dolphin when passing at 7 knots, unlike kids and school buses. Very poor analogy. The dolphins left the Bay because there wasn't enough food. One so called dolphin expert wrote a flawed study, several other dolphin experts said it was rubbish. Now a 'law' has been passed, that will have zero benefit to the dolphins, but has contributed to the demise of a phenomenal sailing & social event. Between this and the rahuis on Motutapu, Barrier, the Waitakares etc, the world has gone mad. It would do the world of good if good people started 'breaking' stupid l

It is a f**king stupid rule. The more people in a position of leadership or authority to say so the better. Christ, if it is stupid, call it stupid, stupid. Call a spade a spade.

How old are you guys? is all this stuff pre MTV?

Apparently he was regular crew on the supply ship to Pitcairn Island, 2nd Mate I think, plotting his next adventure and practicing communing with the ocean as much as he could on a supply ship. Would be an office job, and not a bad way to earn a living and practice for the solitude a of a 4 capes attempt, I guess.

Yes, this decision is not backed up with any scientific data. It has not been formulated by critical thinking relevant to this incursion. It is based on a formulaic response. to prove my point, you have posted the formulaic response guide, thankyou for that, the NZ Govt Biosecurity Response Guide. This is a classic example of a 'National Plan' in a lovely, glossy document that has lots of charts and graphs and stuff, but doesn't really say or do anything. As to the experts and checks and balances, referring to page 16 (copied below), this confirms by omission that there are no technical s

I'm thinking its more of a case of MPI being seen to be doing something. That and recreational boaties are an easy target. We don't have a powerful political lobby like commercial fishing that would kick up if they were disrupted. If its come in naturally on ocean currents, anchoring is not going to have any appreciable effect on its spread. Especially as it has been reported to have been there for 10 years already. Climatic events will be the primary driver of spread or die off, warm years, cold years, algae blooms, la nina and the ocean currents are the biggest factor. I am bemused

You don't have to have a degree in Biotechnology to apply logic Psyche. Just saying. That, and if MPI did say it turned up naturally on ocean currents, what do you think the compliance rate would be? If you are on the phone to them, I'm dead keen to know if they've checked around Medlands and Rakitu. I'd be gutted if Rakitu is off limits. PS, are you having a laugh or having a pop? I can't pick up the subtlety over the web.

You can still go boating there, launch boats etc, you just can't anchor or fish. I'd say the locals will support it, because it is effectively a fishing ban to stop 'Aucklanders' coming over and 'plundering their stocks'. Mainly interested in the fuel wharf and water supply at Whangaparapara. I assume you'd need to borrow a mooring to stay overnight. As to how it got there, MPI must be as thick as pig sh*t. The below is from the MPI site. It is endemic everywhere accept the Southern Ocean. Endemic in Aust & the Pacific... We've had record high water temps over the last few years.

Cushyfloat engine mounts by Trelleborg, supplied by Hancock. Cushyfloats are the best! Hancock Industrial Ltd – Vibration Control Specialists – Industrial Rubber, Engine Mounts, Flexible Isolators, Automotive Hoses

Oh Yay, engine alignment, one of my favourite subjects... I've spent years chasing vibrations around my engine. Other things to check are the state of the cutless bearing. If this is worn, the shaft can flog around and could be the source of harmonics. The other key thing is engine mounts. They are a consumable item and don't last forever. I'm not aware of a test for them, other than basic age and condition. It is the rubber elements that get old and brittle. If they haven't been changed, and the engine needed work, then its a good indication that the mounts need replacing. You

Unlikely. Its an anchor, not a foil. Hydrodynamics are not normally factors for lumps of iron and steel. When I launch my anchor, it hangs straight down of the chain. The shape of the anchor and how it interacts with the seabed are key, I believe. The plough lies on it side and that is that. The excell has a little downward point at the tip, like a concord nose. This catches and digs in very fast. Note, I'm not a technical specialist in anchoring. Just a guy that owns a boat and doesn't like dragging off when I'm having a nap.

Sounds like you are onto the problem now. Good work. A minor tip. When mucking around with filters and fuel pipes, it is easy to spill diesel all over the place, that smells and you have to attempt to clean up. I have found the meat trays from New World to be ideal for catching diesel drips. (the trays that come with the meat). They have an indentation pattern that catches the meat juices without the need for adsorbent pads. The indentation pattern also catches diesel. So you can have a low profile tray that doesn't get in the way, as opposed to an icecream container or something that is

My experience with using them in water indicates that would not be the case. The plough, I think the chain was doing most of the holding, we could never tell if it had set (i.e. it hadn't set). The excell, it pulls up tight and hard every time. If you want to get all techo about it, the steel is the same relative density in and out of water between the two anchors. Both anchors are approx the same weight, so being in or out of water isn't going to make any differentiation. But note, I never said this was a technical anchor test. I just wanted to see how they set, and was blown away w

Any chance of a close up photo of the glass bowl fuel filter? (only if you are on the boat), and any other filters / fuel pump as you follow the fuel line along to the engine and injector pump? I am too young to be familiar with engines that have decompression levels and priming plungers (others around here should be able to help) - but the translation of that user manual is that you need to know exactly how to start this engine, including the appropriate foreplay, chocolate, red roses, some sweet talking, and a little tickle under the sump. All I know is that single cylinders are tempera

Oh, I wouldn't push the big red switch! In all the movies I've seen, bad things happen when you push the big red switch! (Joke)

Good video. The problem you have is nothing to do with the pipes or oil leaks. It sounds like it is starved of fuel, i.e. diesel bug. You don't need to remove your fuel tank (yet). First step, confirm the suspected problem. Look at your fuel filters. Especially the regular paper cartridge one closest to the engine. It should be mounted on the engine and close to the fuel pump. If there is anything that is not diesel, that will be your problem. Bug looks like a snot like fibrous thing. If I'd just bought a boat, I'd change the filters regardless, but maybe not if you are thinking abou

Just a comment, the fuel filter looks to have a load of sh*t in it. The glass bowl at the back. I'd clean that out, put in new fuel filters and new, clean diesel. Either dump all the stuff in your fuel tank, or use a small fuel can with clean fuel in it. Note, if you do this, make sure the return pipe goes into the same can. The fuel pump circulates loads more fuel than is used for running the engine. The injector pump just takes what it needs. Using a small fuel can is a good way of seeing if you have a diesel bug problem. The basic symptoms you have, engine running for a bit and dieing, soun

I think it is extremely irresponsible to go out with kids without taking communications gear. More so that the weather is average, and even more so not telling family / a contact on shore contact they weren't going to be back. I'm a bit angry, and mildly speechless. Could get a good handheld VHF for $200 or less, which is probably what they spent on petrol for the weekend. Let alone bait or soft baits.

INCIDENT ALERT: At 2156hours last night CNZ Operations Centre (North) was alerted by Police to an overdue vessel. The vessel had left Kawakawa Bay before sunrise that morning along with another vessel for the Waikawau Mussel Farm with 1 adult and 3 children onboard. The other vessel arrived at the mussel farm however the vessel now reported missing failed to arrive. Coastguard Volunteers from Howick Coastguard and Coastguard Maraetai have been assisting Police in the search throughout the night before returning to base shortly before 0600hours this morning. Volunteers onboard Lion Fou

Found at 10 am. Went 'camping', no comms. Refueled at Thames (crossed border?) and were camping in a bay 5km from Kawakawa bay. No VHF. Cell phone flat. Lots of stress for family and volunteers searching. Family who failed to return from fishing trip found safe and well | RNZ News

This doesn't sound good. Very poor vis for searching. An extensive search is underway for a family of five who failed to return from a fishing trip in Kawakawa Bay. Police said they were notified at 9.35pm on Saturday night that the family – one adult and four children aged between 7 to 11 years old – had not returned as expected. The family’s boat was yet to be located after an extensive search began overnight. The boat was described as a 14-foot fibre glass vessel, with an orange hull and white topside, and had a cuddy cabin with a red canopy. Family of five fail to

I would take the highest and lowest estimates and then go and look at the prices. that will help you decide. I think prices go up exponentially with size...