by The Captain | Jul 30, 2019 | Adventures, Articles
The numbers on Roger Veitch’s new 27ft Hardtop are so sexy we had to check the specs twice – and when it pulled into port it proved an absolute face melter! What’s more, beneath that white gelcoat is a laminate that leaves most Australian boat...
by The Captain | Jul 27, 2019 | Articles, Captain's ships
Down the Great Ocean Road in South West Victoria, we discover one of the natural wonders of the Australian coastline. Nope, it’s not the 13th Apostle. It’s the legendary lobster lover Wayne Hanegraaf, who has steered boats around these ancient stones for more than 40...
by The Captain | Jul 27, 2019 | Adventures, Articles
Few places get The Captain’s juices flowing like the East Coast of Tasmania. It’s raw, rugged and bustling with big bluefin – usually. As loyal Captain readers have pointed out, we’re not always the most reliable sailor on the...
by The Captain | Jul 26, 2019 | Articles, Project boat
The Nub-Tub is finally ready for the fit-out phase. We take her to the experts at Johnson Bros Marine who say, “We’ve never seen anyone want to fit this much shit to a 4.5m boat in our lives.” Trav and his cohort of contractors have slogged away on the base for three...
by admin | Mar 6, 2019 | Articles, Captain's ships
Julian McGarry couldn’t afford to buy a flybridge cruiser, so he built his own mini version. When Julian McGarry’s mate sold his flybridge cruiser, Julian lost his regular ride. Heartbroken, he couldn’t see the value in owning his own moored boat, so he took...
by The Captain | Jan 17, 2019 | Articles, Captain's ships
Dave Rothwell treats his 10-year-old Hydra-Sports to a complete birthday refit with 1050 horsepower courtesy of Johnson Bros. Marine Services. Now this boat has tricks. Dave Rothwell loves his Yank tank and his love runs deep — all the way down to his chequebook. So...
by The Captain | Sep 10, 2018 | Articles, How to
You need a new boat more than world peace — but not at the cost of war breaking out on the domestic front. Never fear the Captain is here… ATTENTION DADS: So you want a new 20ft (6m) fishing rig, but the missus says no. There are only two options: a. Divorce, or...
by The Captain | Jun 20, 2018 | Uncategorized
Earlier this year, the image of a strange craft popped up on The Captain’s newsfeed. It was narrow like an SUP, agile and fast like a PWC, yet kitted out for serious fishing. This thing stuck out like a pink Cosmopolitan cocktail among The Captain’s usual rum-fuelled...
by The Captain | Apr 17, 2018 | Articles, How to
Are you a bit confused about the catch-and-release code these days? What species are socially acceptable to fillet? What species should be set free? It’s enough to leave you holding your limp gaff in hand on the back deck, paralysed with uncertainty. Never fear, The...
by The Captain | Mar 13, 2018 | Adventures, Articles
The Captain’s phone rang earlier this year. It was John Haines Junior, boss man of Suzuki Australia and heir to the Haines Signature fortune. In his polite but matter-of-fact manner he asked, “what are you guys doing in June?” “Let me check my calendar, John,” I...
by The Captain | Mar 13, 2018 | Articles, How to
The Captain tugs hard over his tow machines. Here are his top 10 adventure rigs. Did you just drop more than $200K for your deep-vee machine built with 37 layers of ‘glass in the transom and fitted with hardtop, commercial-grade sounder, radar, pie warmer,...
by The Captain | Mar 5, 2018 | Articles, How to
Rule one: keep your eyes open. Peter Pakula shares his wisdom on reading the signs and finding the fish. Electronic aids (sounder, GPS, temp gauge) certainly help you find fish, but they’re not the most important tool in your belt. They don’t tell you where you should...
by The Captain | Feb 8, 2018 | Articles, Captain's ships
Four pumping plate rigs fight it out bow to bow in the captain’s alloy shootout at Jervis bay. The only good thing that comes in tin is beer, right? Some among the glass-lovin’ class still beat that drum on Facebook forums. Their opinion is probably based on...
by The Captain | Jan 22, 2018 | Adventures, Articles
A canny old cod hunter reminisces about golden days on the mighty Murray and rejoices at the resurgence of cod fishing, sport of champions. Growing up on the Goulburn and Murray rivers, it was inevitable that Murray cod, VB beer and sunburn would be a big part of my...
by The Captain | Jan 22, 2018 | Articles, Project boat
The Captain goes in search of a fuel tank for the Nub Tub, their custom Haines Hunter 445F project boat. In the backblocks of Williamstown they find a man of steel, Kane McQuarrie from McQuarrie Fabrications. Picking a fuel tank is harder than picking a good rum. For...
by The Captain | Jan 22, 2018 | Articles, Captain's ships
Ever since the Battle of the Big Vee, Matt Webb, owner of the Edencraft 233 Formula, has been nagging The Captain because he wants a 15ft boat for his 17-yearold son, Tom. Tom loves his diving and fishing, so Matt wanted something safe and indestructible, but also...
by The Captain | Jan 22, 2018 | Articles, Captain's ships
Grahma Harris won a bridge-to-bridge in record time, Caressing the helm of a 1000HP Connelly. These days he mooches around the Hawksbury in a 800HP Al Dhaen. Yep, We had to meet this bloke… The Captain’s crew are belting around...
by The Captain | Dec 12, 2017 | Adventures, Articles
Two mates leave the bright lights of Brisvegas to follow a dream of adventure. The Captain: A’hoy fellas. Tell us a little bit about Back to Basics Adventures. Who’s in the crew and what do you do? Jack Strickland (Strick): Ahoy Captain,...
by The Captain | Nov 28, 2017 | Adventures, Articles
TROPICAL CYCLONE Having conquered the Kimberley by sea and by sky, it’s time to test our mettle like most tourists do in these parts – by 4X4. We have a bit of a problem, though. The Gibb River Road, that iconic stretch of dirt road that runs between Kununurra and...
by The Captain | Nov 28, 2017 | Adventures, Articles
The north-western tip of Australia is remote, wild and beautiful. Well, that’s what Malcolm Douglas had me believing after watching his many videos. He traversed the Kimberley with his dog Boondie, a cameraman and his trusty ol’ alloy Trailcraft. The legend of the...
by The Captain | Nov 28, 2017 | Articles, Captain's ships
Within the next couple of months, The Captain is planning a trip to Seventeen Seventy, a fishing mecca six hours north of Brisbane. He put out the call for a ride and surface slayer Mathew Scholz answered. Armed with a sparkling new Haines Signature 543SF, Matt’s rig...
by The Captain | Oct 26, 2017 | Articles, How to
Boating fails – Nathan Nichols, director of Cruise Craft, on the inconvenient truth of boating regulations. The rumours are true. I took the opportunity to launch into a very passionate discussion at a recent product launch. In my view, The Captain – which...
by The Captain | Oct 26, 2017 | Captain's ships
Surface feeding longtail tuna. A tackle box full of stickbaits. The new Haines Signature 550RF. ‘nuf said. Not long ago The Captain tested the Signature 550F off Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island. We had a crack at a mulloway, but the mysterious beasts...
by The Captain | Jun 20, 2017 | Adventures, Articles
The Captain tackles northern NSW in one of the first Stabicraft 2750 centrecabs to hit Aussie shores. Stabicraft recently put together a fully decked-out, custom 2750 Centrecab for gun Kiwi fisherman Matt Watson – you know, the crazy bloke that catches marlin...
by The Captain | Jun 20, 2017 | Articles, Captain's ships
Hold onto your beer: This insane custom console built by Australian Master Marine might change a few perceptions among the glass-lovin’ platey haters. The Captain used to toss and turn all night thinking about the perfect rig to tackle Spaniards, blacks and...
by The Captain | Jun 20, 2017 | Articles, The craftsman
The Captain goes rock hopping with Adam Cabangh from Morningtide fishing. The Captain: Fellas, we love your rock-hopping form. But seriously, can’t you even afford a little tinnie – or do you all get seasick? Adam Cavanagh: Ha ha, nice one. Well, you could hook us up...
by The Captain | Jun 20, 2017 | Articles, Uncategorized
You wouldn’t leave them in charge of a barge. Full-steam ahead with eyes closed, what could possibly go wrong? These just might be the world’s worst ever sea captains. Captain William Bligh No contest, top of the list yet such a confusion of a man – so competent in...
by The Captain | Jun 20, 2017 | Adventures, Articles
There’s nothing quite like fly-fishing in Argentina. The itinerary on this trip would make Ernest Hemingway blush. Picture this: quad bike to a jungle-lined river with parrots and toucans flying above, then cast flies as big as mice to fish as big as dogs! Retire at...
by The Captain | Jun 14, 2017 | Articles, Captain's ships
Science under the Southern Sea Deakin University marine biologist Associate Prof Daniel Ierodiaconou – aka “the fish hypnotist” – spends a lot of time on, in and under the sea. He and his team of sea scientists have been putting together 3-D maps and video of the...
by The Captain | Jun 13, 2017 | Articles, Captain's ships
When Adam Krajc pulls the trigger on his Cootacraft Gun Shot he’s pretty confident of hitting the target. Adam Krajc fits the description of most Cootacraft owners. He works hard, plays hard and shoots straight. His day job is building houses around Sydney, but on...
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