Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Thats no help, they use trucks like to go shopping.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Thanks guys.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

l thought l was helping:)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Oink...and others, do you smoke your own fish? I really like the idea of getting to grips with a smoker...of the smaller variety. My husband used to really like sea fishing, from the beach with a line, and I hope he might do it again when we go back to Canada. I'd love to try and smoke the, hopefully plentiful, results.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Yes, I smoke lots of fish. I brine my fish first and then smoke it on my patio and then vacuum package it. I smoked (hot) over 40lbs of sockeye salmon this year and than had another 20lbs cold smoked at our local smokery. Very tasty. :thumbup:

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Wow Oink that sounds delicious. Did you make your smoker or did you buy it? I love the idea of trying to hot smoke our own things...maybe not quite that much though!

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

A diesel Defender will tow upto 3500kg so approx 7000lb and will have no problem towing and launching an 18-20ft boat. I used to tow and launch a 25ft boat on a dual axle "built like a brick outhouse" trailer with a Discovery and then a Trooper. Of course, in North America, they'd say you need to have a truck and not just a F150 but a fullsize F250 or more to do this. But they are foolish.

The convenience factor of having a boat in a marina ready to go should not be underestimated. Popping out for a couple of hours boating when you have at least an hour or two of towing, launching etc is much more of a chore than simply going to the marina and turning the key. $6k for a Van mooring doesn't seem outrageous. You should look at the price of mooring a boat in the Solent in the UK. Makes Oinks costs seem cheap in comparison.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between hot and cold smoking?

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

No knife , just twist them off at the shoulders and I have a good 9 or 10 crab shell slices on my fingers to prove it :D

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Cold smoking is like your regular smoked salmon where the fish is still a bit raw for my liking - Hot smoking when I used to do a lot of my own you would actually cook the fish while its smoking :thumbup:

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Just have one like this. Its electric, you just have to change the wood chips a couple of times.

http://www.smokehouseproducts.com/pr...4-000-0000.jpg

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Wear gloves. :p

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Gloves are for women, kids and the type of bloke that likes looking at other blokes arses :)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Enjoy the tetanus. ;)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

I was joking - I had to cave in and use the gloves about 5 crabs in :)

Oink - Do you have any opinion on this crappy tire smoker ? - Looks not bad at 300 bucks but I am no expert in the electric type smoker at all


http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

A lot of people swear by the Bradley. The Big Chief is a bit crap in comparison but as I only smoke a couple of times a year it didn't necessitate spending that much. Depending on how much you smoke, I'd recommend get yourself a Foodsaver vacuum packer.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Temperature?

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

How does one produce smoke that is cold, exactly?

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

According to Wikipedia ". . . Smokehouse temperatures for cold smoking are below 100 °F (38 °C). In this temperature range, foods take on a smoked flavor, but remain relatively moist. Cold smoking does not cook foods. Meats should be fully cured before cold smoking."


All I know is I drop off a couple of sockeye salmons to our local smokery and pick it up a few weeks later nicely thinly sliced and packaged.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

And cold smoked product is what I'm familiar with. The hot smoked salmon you do, how do you store it? Frozen? Does it need cooking before eating? Can you send me some samples?;)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Most of it gets eaten or given away but on the occasion I do a big batch then I vacuum pack it and freeze it.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

I may be getting some hot smoked seatrout fillets in a few weeks depending on the seatrout "run" and if i get around to buying a decent smoker - if you can lower yourself from salmon I can send some samples :)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Thanks for replying, i thought it might, i knew the towing weights it was capable of, what I didn't know was the weights of these boats and trailers. I know that it will pull a double axle caravan comfortably in UK. Again, thanks AX.fletch

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

If you have been to Whitby, the kipper smokery on the hill is a cold smoke facility.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

I agree, an F150's all you need to tow a boat - if you need the capacity of a 3/4 tonne truck it's likely the beam of your boat's too big to tow on the road without a permit, which makes spontaneous towing and suitable launch spots more hassle than it's worth.

Suitably equipped F150's can tow 11,000 lbs+, which is plenty for a dual axle trailer and a 25ft boat.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

F150's is for up-hill-gardeners.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Funny you should say that. Mine hauled a dozen trees last weekend which got planted on the slope adjacent to my driveway. :)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Just as a matter of interest, do you know how heavy one of the trailers (double wheel) and a 20 ft boat is? Is it likely to be below 3.5 tonne? Thanks.fletch

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Going to depend on the boat, isn't it? Inboard/outboard/cuddy/pontoon/bowrider etc.

As a vague point of reference, my Searay 220 has a dry weight of 4,500lbs (Mercruiser 5.7L 350 MAG MPI inboard/outboard), it's trailer (twin axle) is c1,200lbs. By the time the boat's filled with gear/fuel I know I'm a little over 6,000lbs total towing weight.

So, to answer your question, yes it's likely to be under 7,700lbs. You'll want a vehicle with a towing capacity 20-30% higher than that figure for a little headroom.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

It will manage it then, but not with you in it! You need to go on a diet!:)

Cheers for the info.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

What R I C H said. Weight will depend upon the boat. I imagine the good ship OINK would be considerably more than RICH's boat. My boat in the UK was a 25ft Rigid Inflatable on a twin axle trailer. It was 2250kg with 60 gallons of petrol and kit on board. Measured it at a local weighbridge. I towed with a Disco (3500kg towing capacity) and an Isuzu Trooper (3000kg towing capacity).

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Thanks AX, it does give me some idea of what is the possible with the defender. Though I will check out the mooring charges at some of the harbours and quaysides in lower VI. I can see the benefit of being able to jump in and turn the key, jus hope the costs are less that Van. Cheers. fletch

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

AX - that's the question I wanted to ask.....but thought 'everybody' but me knew! Thanks! A couple of weeks ago we came across a smoked pork filet in the supermarket (I think it was an Easter special) it was lovely - I'd never seen it before, or since, and I'd love to have a go myself.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

The Germans call it kassler, very tasty. Perhaps google it and it might tell you there how to do it.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

Fletcher, many thank, I shall:thumbsup

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

http://www.thunderbirdmarine.com/westport-moorage.php

Moorage rate for sidney. This does look like a better option.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

l must say another nice boat.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

have you had time to look at any particular boats.:)

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

I have something in mind, i have looked at the boats for sale on that site, I will just have to sit on my hands for a while and see what happens with regard to PR. Doesn't hurt to see how you would want your life to turn out. Plan a little.

Re: Attn: nldfc
 

good luck.:)