Last Saturday 24th October we had our very first official “OPEN DAY” and it was a great day enjoyed by all. Customers telling us what a great day and how the new showroom looks fantastic. Activities on the  day included:On water sounder demo boat rides, Rod casting comp,Talks on “Fishing with Lures” and ”Outboard Maintenance ”. Jumping Castle for the kids, heaps of give a way prizes and supplier  free show bags . International Paints bought along a fantastic mobile display boat showing you how to restore or renew your boat. The  free sausage sizzle went really well, 18kg of sausages we ate our way through and a big thankyou for the support that was given to the Ballina Jet Boat. They were pleased with the donations, we havent received a total on the  amount donated as  yet.

To all the supplier and reps that attended, a big thankyou to you guys  for all the support to us and our customers. 

We really enjoyed the community spirit and are going to plan on having an Open Day Annually.

Attached are few pictures of the day.    

Honda releases brand new BF60 outboard   
Honda’s brand new BF60 four-stroke EFI outboard engine expands the premium product range available to Australian boaters.

Slotting in between the widely-acclaimed BF40/50 and BF75/90, the new BF60 combines exclusive Honda technologies in a lightest-weight-in-class package that delivers best-in-class performance.

Weighing 110kg, the newly-designed, water-cooled, 998cm3 three-cylinder engine incorporates electronic fuel injection, Honda’s revolutionary Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) air/fuel ratio and ignition-timing technology, and lean burn control to deliver powerful start-up and acceleration together with outstanding fuel economy during cruising (ECOmo). A high-performance gear case further contributes to the BF60’s impressive acceleration and top-end speed.

Along with its powerful 17amp alternator, the BF60 is also NMEA2000 compatible, which allows the engine to communicate with onboard electronics to deliver a wide-range of information to head-unit displays.

Sporting a futuristic new look that reflects its superior performance, the BF60 is available in remote control (including a Power Thrust model) and tiller versions. Among its many features, the multi-function tiller handle incorporates a power trim-tilt switch which is conveniently located in the throttle grip, so the engine can be easily trimmed while underway allowing the operator to remain completely focused on the water.

Consistently leading the world in environmental performance, the smooth and quiet-running BF60 exceeds the latest US EPA emissions standards – the most stringent in the world; 2008 CARB standards; and domestic Japanese voluntary regulations.

The new BF60 will also achieve the Outboard Engine Distributors Association’s (OEDA) three-star rating for ultra-low emissions.

Covered by Honda’s five-year warranty, the new BF60 will be available through Honda’s national marine dealer network in the second half of the year.

(14 May 2009)

We have one on order and should be in our new showroom in July.

Give us a call if you are thinking of trading your engine.

We now have in stock the HDS5 and HDS7 range on display. Both units feature built in broadband sounder giving you a higher definition with more clarity and greater target separation so you can split the fish from the cover their hiding in. They also have built a history scroll back ,what you have gone over for the day and go back and mark fish and reef only on the units with mapping features.

Other features listed: Sonar viewer play back for log files,Solar max display,NMEA output 0183 and 2000,fish reveal 8xz00m

All HDS combo models come standard with internal GPS aerials 16 channel receivers for more information or instore run down on these units give us call. We dont just sell them we use them also from lowrance to Humminbird.

An article written by Barry Cheadle about Adrian our salesman and the team at Marineland.

Click here for the story.

Press release

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Evinrude E-TEC set its sights high this season
and the results have come

Sydney, Australia, November 2008 – Evinrude E-TEC have again raised the bar
on the Australian Ski Racing circuit, taking line honours and breaking records in the
latest two races of the season; the Sydney and Grafton Bridge to Bridge. Much like
Evinrude E-TEC have done throughout the year, their focus in the SMOC, F2 and
MOC divisions have paid off with Evinrude powered racers dominating the podium.

The 34th Grafton Bridge to Bridge again gave witness to some intense and exciting
competition as 150 racers from across the country flocked to the beautiful Clarence
river. In the SMOC class, Evinrude E-TEC smashed the competition breaking the
race record and grabbing a triple podium finish. In fact, Evinrude powered racers
finished in the first six positions out of a
total eleven entries.

Test Lab driven by Jeff Stubbs finished in
first position, breaking the old race record
with a time of 46.35. “The very first engine
we used to race was a 1979 Evinrude 150.
Now nearly 30 years on, we have never
used anything else and attribute a lot of our
success to the reliable E-TEC engine
platform”. Following in close second with a
time of 47.39 was Team Evinrude driven by Paul Armstrong. Rounding out the
podium was Stalker Evinrude in 3rd place with a time of 48.10.

Evinrude powered racers also performed well in the F2 class at Grafton with Boat
Scene taking out first place (52.33), followed by Assagai (53.58). This double
podium in F2, as well as the results in SMOC, is a testament to the power and
performance inherent in the Evinrude E-TEC platform.
Ski-Doo
Lynx
Sea-Doo
Evinrude
Johnson
Rotax
Can-Am

Page 2

The Sydney Bridge to Bridge is the longest one way ski race in the world – 112
kilometres along the magnificent Hawkesbury River. 170 competitors from across
Australia, Europe and the US lined up with Evinrude again dominating the hotly
contested SMOC class with a triple podium finish and new race record. Crossing the
finish line first with a record time of 48.43 was Test Lab, followed in close pursuit by
Stalker Evinrude (2nd) and Team Evinrude (3rd). Even more impressive was the fact
that 8 out of the top 10 competitors to finish were powered by Evinrude E-TEC
outboards.

In the MOC division, Ace Racing grabbed first position with a provisional time of
46.31, smashing a 5 year race record by 41 seconds. Another Evinrude powered
racer, Barely Legal, finished in second place (48.34). ” A massive thank-you needs
to go to my team, and Evinrude for their continued support as well as all the people
that have helped over the year to get us where we are” said Ace Racing driver
Darren Spencer.

This consistency in the Australian racing circuit reinforces E-TEC’s standing as the
leading outboard engine manufacturer. Time and time again, Evinrude’s focus
across the SMOC, MOC and F2 divisions have resulted in line honors and old race
records being broken. Moving into 2009, we look forward to continuing this success
and supporting the sport within Australia.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in
the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized
recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx
snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard
engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles
and roadsters, and Rotax engines and karts.

www.brp.com

Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax, E-TEC, RXPx, GTI and the BRP logo are

trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.
Page 3

Brian takes delivery of his new boat, a Stessco side console, fitted with an Etec 40hp, and an electric bow mount Riptide 55 AP on the front. Adrian took Brian for a spin out the back of our premises and up the river to show him what the boat can do. Adrian explained the features and how to use the electric bow mount and the Humminbird fish finder in detail. I think Brian is still on a high with his experience. Enjoy your Boating.

Its unreal

honda_cashback_press_ad_v6

Take advantage of this great offer from Honda Marine. Update  your engine, give us a call for a tradein price or a new Honda outboard price.

  Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION: 16 October 2008

Cash back on new Honda outboards

Honda is offering a substantial ‘cash back’ incentive on its new, leading-technology BF40/50
and BF75/90 EFI four-stroke outboard engines in the lead up to summer.

Retail customers who purchase one of Honda’s recently-released BF40, BF50, BF75 or BF90
models from 1 November through to 31 December 2008 will receive a hefty $700 cash back on
the BF40/50 and a massive $900 cash back on the BF75/90.

Honda Australia marine manager Chris Schultz said the two-month retail campaign provided an
ideal opportunity for keen boaters to upgrade to Honda’s advanced four-stroke technology in
time for the holiday boating season.

“Re-powering is a hot topic in this time of ever-soaring fuel prices, with switched-on boaters
looking for the most fuel-efficient engines for their boats,” Mr Schultz said.

“Further to these re-power applications, Honda’s cash back offer is also being extended to
those who are considering purchasing new boat/motor/trailer packages through our national
dealer network.

“Renowned the world over for superior performance, reliability and environmental-friendliness,
Honda outboards are very competitively priced – and with this latest cash back offer, there’s no
excuse not to bolt one to the transom!

“I personally encourage those in the market for a new outboard to test drive a Honda from one
of our dealers to experience these engines first hand before making a purchase decision.”

Available only to retail customers, Honda units purchased outside of the promotion period will
not be eligible for the cash back offer.

Coastguard Raffle boat presentation

Jenny Horn is very excited about the winning of the Annual Ballina Coastguard Boat Raffle.

The prize a 4.2m Stessco Skipper Deluxe Model Runabout with a 30hp Honda valued at $17,000.00

If your interested in a boat package for summer ,send us an email ,and we get you into the boating lifestyle.

Plenty of trim out

Article written in the Gold Coast Bulletin on Friday the 19th September,2008:

New Age Honda Blasts Off

HONDA outboards have always been positioned at the top end of the market and because of this, they have a reputation of being expensive.

The new Honda 50hp, 75hp and 90hp four-stroke released this year are positioned in the middle of the market and at a competitive price to their competition.

Honda was the first to introduced four-stroke outboards more than 40 years ago.

The company has never produced a two-stroke engine and back then the four-stroke outboards were ahead of their time and since then Honda has become the largest engine manufacturer in the world.

Honda organised a day on the Broadwater recently for GCBlue to test drive the new engines on a range of boats. The 75hp was presented on the back of a Stacer 489 Easyrider runabout.

It’s interesting, that while other manufacturers have introduced an 80hp model, Honda has produced a model that is slightly lower in horsepower. Previously the outboards fitted to this boat were two strokes, but with its lightweight the 75hp was a good choice for the boat.

The 75hp and the 90hp are based on the same 16-valve, inline four-cylinder engine that powers Honda’s No.1 selling car – the Jazz.

They are all aluminum blocks except for the cylinder sleeves and weigh in at 162kg and 163kg respectively. The 75hp had the Easyrider out of the hole in just 3.8 seconds and planning at 16 knots. The hole-shot performance is a result of Honda’s Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST) system, which advances the ignition timing during acceleration. The system pioneers a new age for four-stroke engines and Honda plans to use it as the benchmark for all their outboards.

The Easyrider cruised at 18 knots and wide open it was a rocket ship pulling 6100 rpm for 31.8 knots.

Any faster and the boat would be a handful for a fi rst time driver.

It ran at about half trim, but needed a lot trim in the turn. The 75 had heaps of torque and felt as if it would have pulled two skiers out of the water without any effort. The 90hp outboard was bolted to a 480 Makocraft bass boat. This too was a rocket ship.

The owner, Adrian Molchoar, who runs Marineland at Ballina, had done some extensive test figures on the engine.

He is a mad-keen fi sherman and often ducks offshore off Ballina in the late afternoon to catch a feed for dinner. Adrian experimented with different props and finally settled for a Mercury 22 pitch Laser II, which suited the boat.

A 6000rpm he can get the boat on the plane in 4.3 seconds and has had a top speed of 43.7 knots out of the rig.

The engine is economical as well. At 5500rpm he gets 9.3 litres an hour economy, but after that the VTEC kicks in.

VTEC works to produce a longer, flatter torque curve by engaging the high-lift cam to pack more air into the combustion camber, which produces more power. It is only available in the 90hp and the bigger 150hp and 225hp engines at the moment.

The boat feels solid, but outside, Adrian admits he gets a bit wet. He has run the 90hp for 75 hours and it’s just beginning to loosen up and uses less fuel than when it was brand new.

Honda has gone to great lengths to produce environmentally friendly outboards since the inception of the four stroke.

The company has demonstrated that ultra-low emissions are possible and is the only manufacturer to have all models meet the tough US EPA 2006 and CARB 2008 emission regulations.

They also get a three star rating from the Outboard Engine Distributors Association for ultralow emissions.

The new Honda 90 VTEC powers the Mako 480

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TONY ZANN PUBLISHED IN NSW/QLD FISHING MONTHLY AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2008

Tiller-steered boats are fun. Steering response is instant, so they’re highly manoeuvrable, and a simple twist of the throttle means most boating is a one-hand operation.

You always get a more comfortable ride down aft at the tiller than anywhere else in the boat and there’s no bulky helm station to suck up valuable fishing room.

And while the latest and greatest tournament fishing machines are full of high-tech gadgetry (including steering wheels!), a tiller-steer outfit represents a great way of getting into this style of fishing without crippling your income.

Enter these two Makocraft Estuary Tracker Tournament boats, which offer big, stable fishing platforms at a fraction of the cost of the low-slung fibreglass missiles.

They have loads of deck space, heaps of storage, the knockabout durability of aluminium and don’t need a fuel-guzzling V6 engine to get about at a tidy clip.

And the next fisho in a tinnie to take home the dollars at a bream or bass tournament will be neither the first nor the last.

Take Ballina’s Adrian Melchior, for instance. He’s leading the BASS Angler of the Year standings and fishes from his Honda-powered Mako 480 Estuary Tracker Tournament. Adrian works at Ken and Kim Fitzgibbon’s Ballina Marineland, which kindly provided the test boats.

Ken has also been bitten by the tournament bug and the test Makocraft 440 Estuary Tracker Tournament with 60hp Evinrude E-Tec is his own personal rig.

The other outfit, the 420 Estuary Tracker Tournament, offered the chance to check out the latest Honda BF40, released only a few months ago.

On the surface, there’s not much between these boats. They share similar dimensions and most specifications although 420 has a 2mm bottom and 1.6mm topsides, against the 3mm bottom and 2mm sides of the bigger model.

Ken’s boat also featured the optional 100L plumbed livewell package, nav lights and a few other tournament essentials.

Both feature abundant cockpit space, broad expanses of carpeted casting platform riddled with storage hatches, monolithic stability at rest and the soft-riding Makocraft Edge bottom rails.

And the tiller-steer format means plenty of space and great manoeuvrability.

Test venue was the mangrove-lined expanses of North Creek, Ballina, on a crisp, still morning.

It was too glassy to assess rough-water performance but I was very happy with the way Adrian’s 480 Tournament had handled chop and low swell when I tested it for the July 2007 issue of NSWFM. I can’t see either of these boats being much different.

For tournament anglers, more freeboard means more windage and hence the low profile of most of the fibreglass boats. The Makocraft Tournaments are a good compromise of relatively low wind profile for drifting and casting while retaining enough freeboard to stay dry and secure when conditions get sloppy.

PERFORMANCE

While neither engine sported a tachometer, we were able to get hand-held GPS speeds for both rigs.

The 440 with the 60 E-Tec and 21” prop lodged a nippy 33.5 knots (62.1kmh), flinging up quite a rooster tail in the process. With the big prop fitted for top-end performance, this rig took time to plane but, with a more conservative propeller, that wouldn’t have been such an issue.

Once the rig was up and running, throttle response was excellent and handling was nimble and quite sporty. The 440 showed no vices when cornering or left to run straight with only a light hand on the tiller.

The 40hp Honda on the 420 was no slouch, turning in a very respectable 28.5 knots (52.9kmh). It required some in-trim to minimise bow lift onto the plane but got over the hump quite quickly, thanks largely to Honda’s BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) feature.

Throttle response was great throughout the rev range and engine smoothness, even on a donk with only a few hours on the clock, was exceptional.

This is one silky-smooth motor and although E-Tecs are pretty good in the noise stakes, the Honda was whisper-quiet in comparison. Handling was on a par with the 440.

TILLER TALES

Both engines had similar tiller controls – twist-grip throttle with the gear shift just behind on the main arm and adjustable steering friction damper back on the pivot arm to ease arm strain on long runs.

Both felt quite solid but the E-Tec came out well in front ergonomically. The starter button was on the base of the arm just aft of the twist grip, as was the safety lanyard/cut/off switch, while access back to the ignition key and lanyard switch on the Honda required a bit of a reach.

But the big advantage of the E-Tec tiller was the trim switch, which was mounted on the forward end of the throttle – right where the operator’s thumb sits. Trim adjustments could be made instantly without reaching for a switch further back on the arm, where the Honda and many other brands mount theirs.

All tillers should be this good.

Both tillers required a bit of reach to push or pull over to full lock from a seated position but that’s the price you pay for sitting in the very comfy type of chair provided for skipper and one passenger.

Normal course adjustments take no effort, it’s just the full lock that takes a bit more concentration and possibly even getting off your butt.

The past couple of months represent the first time in 30 years that I haven’t owned a tiller-steered boat – and I think I’m going through withdrawals!

Fact box 1

• Mako 440 Estuary Tracker Tournament
• Length 4.4m
• Beam 2.0m
• Bottom 3mm
• Topsides 2mm
• Hull weight 235kg
• Max occupants 5
• Max engine weight 120kg

Features as tested: Anchor locker under foredeck; nav lights; bilge pump; short side rails; low split bow rails; electric motor bracket; port rod locker; sub-floor under front deck; splashwell; 100L plumbed livewell; casting decks front and rear with hatches; 2 rod holders; tank and battery rack; carpeted floor; 4 seat sockets; extruded side decks; transducer bracket; under floor flotation; port side pocket; 2 upholstered fold-down seats.

Test boat courtesy of Ballina Marineland, 67 Endeavour Close, Ballina, phone 6686 2669.

Price as tested with Evinrude E-Tec 60hp on Redco trailer with deep-cycle battery, start battery, two-tone paint, Minn Kota RT55SP electric, custom rego numbers and free Humminbird 777 sounder (valued at $1400) – $23,180.

Fact box 2

• Mako 420 Estuary Tracker Tournament
• Length 4.2m
• Beam 2.0m
• Bottom 2mm
• Topsides 1.6mm
• Hull weight 220kg
• Max occupants 4
• Max engine weight 111kg

Features as tested: Anchor locker under foredeck; short side rails; low split bow rails; electric motor bracket; painted with stripes; sub-floor under front deck; splashwell; casting decks front and rear with hatches; 2 rod holders; tank and battery rack; carpeted floor; 4 seat sockets; extruded side decks; transducer bracket; underfloor flotation; port side pocket; 2 upholstered fold-down seats

Price as tested with 2008 Honda BF40, Redco trailer, registrations and safety gear – $16,250.