Boat needs to be able to plane in comps

[LakeConjolaFish]

Just a quick question.....why does a boat need to be able to plane to be eligable to fish the B.R.E.A.M events ?

Thanks

[pw-bream]

I wondered that too. My guess is so that the non-angler isn't disadvantaged by spending more time travelling compared to faster boats. It does seem odd to rule out displacement boats and planing hulls with low power though. Surely many of the waterways where the comps are held have low speed limits anyway?

[LakeConjolaFish]

Most of the "fishy" areas in my neck of the woods have 4 knot speed limited areas anyway and hefty fines for speeding.

[pw-bream]

When I lived in East Gippsland I had a couple of boats and the rivers were all limited to sub-planing speeds, and also around jetties, bridges, etc is also speed limited. It was generally only in lake areas where I would be moving at planing speeds or higher.

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by LakeConjolaFish
Just a quick question.....why does a boat need to be able to plane to be eligable to fish the B.R.E.A.M events ?
Thanks

I can't think of a reason, LCF. If it was a safety issue then the less speed available the better, I'd have thought. The areas where the comps are being held are mostly speed limited too, I think.
Anyway, the main reason I'm asking is because I only have a 6hp Johnson. It'll plane - but JUST ! :D


I'm not sure about with a 60l livewell too.

Kevin

[LakeConjolaFish]

G'Day Kev,

Yes I'm really interested to know why (I'm sure that there must be some reason) my boat has a 15hp and it planes but not so well fully loaded with onboard anglers and assorted crap !

We have the annual Flathead Classic this w/e at Lake Conjola and one of the stipulations to enter was to give a copy of the boats insurance policy (public liability worries I think).

And as I said before all the "fishy" areas are zoned 4 knots:)

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by LakeConjolaFish
[B]We have the annual Flathead Classic this w/e at Lake Conjola and one of the stipulations to enter was to give a copy of the boats insurance policy (public liability worries I think).


That's one of the BREAM comp stipulations too, I think. That's fine ... I can understand that. But if the boat is fully insured, sea-worthy, has all the safety gear and insured and registered then why the HP requirements? Anyway, no doubt better informed minds will advise. :D

Kevin

[Dave W]

I had this same coversation a while back with a couple of B.R.E.A.M. guys, and the main reasons were to put the non-boaters on a more level playing field, as well as the safety side of things if someone was injured - you may need to get them to a doc asap.

I'll ask the guy's at the comp this weekend and see what they come up with:)

[donfish]

Has anybody checked with there insurance company to see if there boat is covered while fishing in a comp.In NSW the NRMA does not cover any boat while fishing in any competition.

donfish

[Evan]

yeah like dave said i think it is to put everyone on a level playing field. for the first comp over here in WA the best fishing spots were about an hours drive by boat from the ramp so imagine how long it would have taken if the boat didnt plane??? probably 2 or more- thats at least 4 hours of travel per day in a comp that lasted only 6.5 hrs per day!

mind you though one of the boats was about 16foot long and had a 50 hp on the back that did about 60knots so guess who got to the spots first??

[bubble]

I know of several boats that are capable of at least 70 mph that will be competing in the Bream and Bass rounds this coming season. I know this because I help set them up. I have been wondering about the subject of speed for some time. Why 70mph when you are limited to 40 knots anyway in all but open ocean. The comp. judges will need radar soon to ping the over-speeding offenders.
The attached photo is from the Evinrude Pro Bass Team. They run 10 of these boats with spares and a support crew to match.

Bubble.

[Dave W]

Where do you work mate??

I may be after some professional advice soon;)

[peter bear]

most of the waterways in the eastern states[that was in the bream videos ] have high speed or no speed restrictions till you get to the canals . like the saying goes those who share win
but those who get to the optium fishing grounds get the best fish .

ex QLDer
pete.:confused: