jack2964

Nope never seen these. But I am keen to know what birds you have or are they chooks?

Thanks Ben, those guys sure know what they are doing, they caught over 30 fish! And all without a reel.

And thanks again ThaidDown for sharing what now seems so obvious. The fine threads on the cup should have been a cue! Now I am going to repeat the fill process to make sure enough grease is forced in.

Okay, I'm interested.

Where could one go about buying a Honda GX200 with longtail around BKK, and how much would a feller' need to bring with him?

I got mine from the closest town from my village. I think I paid around 12000baht for the complete set. If i remember rightly, the motor itself is around 10k baht.

Sorry don't have any idea where to buy in BKK but if you googled long tailed boats you'd easily find one in BKK. I have a link but not sure if mods would allow it but google would get you there. Good luck.

Couldn't find the edit button...but just to say, the motor is 8800baht and the other bits like engine mount, yoke, tiller handle, prop shaft and prop add up to a total of just over 10k baht. You'll get change for 11k.

@jack2964

I have those 'cup' type grease thingies ( technical term, sorry) on a Thai style mower/brush clearer.

The way to use them is to fill the fixed part and the screw on part completely with grease. Offer up the removable top and screw it on . The screwing motion compresses the grease and forces it into the bearing. Not the same pressure as a grease gun but works for me, you can see the grease oozing out after the bearing.

Nice solution with the nipple though.

OK thanks for this great tip. I've only filled the cup without doing same for cover, that's where I went wrong.

Don't know how far the bushings/bearings are on your mower from the cup thingy but on my prop shaft it is a over a foot each side from cup to the bushings (1 each fore and aft of cup).

Anyway, I'd fill the cover on the remaining cup (on the motor end) which I didn't convert to a zerk fitting and see if the amount of grease gets depleted after some use.

Thanks for sharing but these aren't pla nin. Looks like Bighead carp and they are great fun on light tackle.

What would you catch them on?

The guys back in China just snagged them because they claim there is no way to catch them on a hook.

I've heard they're filter feeders, so perhaps a ball of lam?

To be honest I've not caught bighead carp by 'normal' angling methods but I have foul hooked some many years ago. But being a typical carp I presume they'd be caught with lam.

Now, I only use lures and target mainly Kahsoob.

I am sure many fishos here have knowledge and methods to catch it. I too would like to hear from them.

Okay, I'm interested.

Where could one go about buying a Honda GX200 with longtail around BKK, and how much would a feller' need to bring with him?

I got mine from the closest town from my village. I think I paid around 12000baht for the complete set. If i remember rightly, the motor itself is around 10k baht.

Sorry don't have any idea where to buy in BKK but if you googled long tailed boats you'd easily find one in BKK. I have a link but not sure if mods would allow it but google would get you there. Good luck.

Thanks for sharing but these aren't pla nin. Looks like Bighead carp and they are great fun on light tackle.

Thanks Dave, I asked because I feel so crammed in my little inflatable and although it is stable enough to stand up, one has to constantly keep balance for fear of falling over.

Recently I was out fishing with a Thai mate and guide and was on one of those all metal (no idea what kind of metal) possibly 16 footer and it glided smoothly over the water with a Honda GX200 which I have too. I estimate speed to be around 12-15kmh.

Auntie's boat (top pic) would be perfect and said motor should push it effortlessly. Being able to stand up to cast is what I want.

Over at Thai Wasadu Buriram, I looked at some plastic boats but aren't too keen so I am making enquiries in my local community to source a 2nd hand boat.

Buying a boat outside my area is impractical unless delivery transport is part of the deal.

Yeah, when you next meet up with the folks I'd like to know what kind of prices I'd expect to pay.

Nice video clip, I'd never seen a boat used this way. These folks do have many bright ideas.

BTW, I took the motor out to the lake this morning and am happy to report no more noise from the prop shaft. Hope it stays this way.

I do have that skeg Dave, so happened the photo was taken with it hanging right below and out of view. Pic 1 shows it too.

Nice boat too, hope to have one instead of my present inflatable. Any idea what mom paid for it and where can I buy one?

But then the inflatable can be launched solo and hauled back onto the pickup when done.

One thing I don't see on your prop is a guard/rudder like in the photo below.

LR DSCF7247.JPG

Absolutely vital to protect the prop in shallow water where the fin can hit the bottom of the lake/canal, but not damage the prop.

Plus also great to use as an oar when swinging the back of the boat around.

Just a suggestion ...

OH ... the Farm mother firing up the engine and off we go!

.

Thanks to you all with your input. I didn't get a new shaft but I got myself a grease gun and with the help of the local handyman, I got him to discard the original grease cup/pot on the shaft and he fitted a zerk nipple for me. So I've got some grease pumped into the shaft with the inner prop rod in place as I couldn't remove the inner rod completely out of the outer shaft. I think the grease has filled its way fore and aft of this zerk fitting but it wouldn't go pass these 2 bushings to the rest of the bushes with the inner drive rod in position. I've given it a test 'run' at home without putting a load as it would in the water and it is a great deal quieter. Winds up so maybe tomorrow morning I'll go down to the lake and I'll know for sure.

Some pics which might make things a bit clearer. From L to R

1 is the entire shaft assy and 'A' is where the new zerk fitting sits.

2 is the zerk fitting close up

3 is the prop end and a couple of screws that lock the wooden bush in place.

4 is the motor end showing the original cup/pot fitting and filled full of grease which never gets depleted. Still wondering how this works.

Thanks again to all.

Any other tips and advice greatly appreciated!

Each fitting is cup-shaped with a screw threaded cover over it. There isn't any spring loaded bearing or any other mechanism to restrict foreign matter intrusion. Both fittings are way above the water level when in use and positioned at 12 o'clock. I do not know if an ordinary grease gun will have sufficient force to ensure the grease travels all the way along the shaft which is a good 6 to 7 feet length. I doubt there is any manual for these locally manufactured parts. Even if there is it would in all likelihood be in Thai. For sure I would be shopping for a grease gun tomorrow. Btw, that's a decent Kahsoob you have there. Where did you catch that?

Thanks Justben for a very prompt reply.

Nope I didn't use a grease gun. Now that you mentioned it, it makes sense.

Do you think the shaft can still be used if I pump in grease. Otherwise it's off to the dealer

tomorrow to get another shaft. Learn the hard way I guess.

I am in lower NE Isaan, closest town is Soeng Sang.

Unsure if this is the correct sub-forum to post this, mod please action as required. Thanks.

If anyone here is familiar with using a typical Thai long-tailed powered boat I hope you could offer me some advice as to how to look after one.

I recently got myself a brand new complete set (Honda GX200 with prop shaft and 6" prop) and have hardly used it for 10 hours on a freshwater lake and the prop shaft is making a helluva racket along with noticeable vibration felt at the tiller. Physically separating the long shaft from the engine (no load) confirms noise is from shaft. There are 2 grease fittings on the long shaft assembly-one on the assembly that is bolted onto the engine output and the other on the long shaft itself. The longshaft is mated to the engine output by two large wingnuts. I have been told by the dealer to pack both these grease fittings with grease which I have done. But I can't figure out how the grease is going to work its way onto the bushings to keep friction down. I packed both fittings to full and after a few outings I noted the amount of grease hasn't reduced which means the bushings aren't being lubed. I think I might have damaged the bushings already as the noise gets progressively worse and I have stopped using it. So guys what have I done wrong here? My Thai skills are as good as zero so it's a bit hard to ask the locals. Thanks to all in advance.

Thanks guys. Perhaps this flowerpecker is a little harder to spot in my patch. Btw it hasn't shown up since that one sighting.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Lower NE Isaan area. 100km by road to Korat city.

I am in this part of Thailand and I had the good fortune yesterday of finally sighting a female scarlet-backed flowerpecker with possibly a juvenile in my own backyard where I have a fruiting cherry tree. I know this is a very common species and I have seen them in downtown BKK. Just like to know if fellow Isaan residents do find this bird in their local patch. I have been here nearly 2 years and this is the first time I've sighted this specie. Thanks for feedback.

Many thanks to AjarnNorth, I've successfully located the spot but dipped on the Pied KF. Instead I saw this raptor doing circuits over the fish ponds and managed a couple of shots. Hopefully they are clear enough for a positive ID. Thanks.

Pic 1. overexposed to show underwing markings.

Pic 2. normal exposure.

Although I cannot be 100% certain, the Fulvous breasted WP has a longer body length and red crown or vent which would have at least offered me a glimpse of compared to this pure blk/wht WP I sighted. Definitely more 'stubby' and almost tailless plus I think has a breast/chest broader than the Fulvous.

I am very tempted to call Heart-spotted but don't know if this degraded forest would support this particular specie.

Only thing left is hopefully get a pic of it next encounter.

Jack and Isanbirder, What about Pied Kingfisher? The habitat you describe - with darters and ducks and openbills etc. - would match and when moving from place to place the flight pattern could be confused with that of a WP (Though when fishing they hover). Black and white, fairly "stubby" and fairly broad chest.

Just throwing it out as a possibility since the habitat seems to match and you haven't seen it perched yet. I had a pair of these regularly when I was in Surin.

That's an idea!

Jack, if you have Spot-breasted Woodpeckers around, you will hear them drumming. They do this quite frequently. The drumming is distinctively diminuendo.

That is a great tip. Thanks! I'll keep this in mind. I actually have heard WPs (unknown and unsighted) drumming in the woods but try as I might I couldn't catch a glimpse of. Did you mean spot-breasted (fulvous) or heart-spotted?

Although I cannot be 100% certain, the Fulvous breasted WP has a longer body length and red crown or vent which would have at least offered me a glimpse of compared to this pure blk/wht WP I sighted. Definitely more 'stubby' and almost tailless plus I think has a breast/chest broader than the Fulvous.

I am very tempted to call Heart-spotted but don't know if this degraded forest would support this particular specie.

Only thing left is hopefully get a pic of it next encounter.

Jack and Isanbirder, What about Pied Kingfisher? The habitat you describe - with darters and ducks and openbills etc. - would match and when moving from place to place the flight pattern could be confused with that of a WP (Though when fishing they hover). Black and white, fairly "stubby" and fairly broad chest.

Just throwing it out as a possibility since the habitat seems to match and you haven't seen it perched yet. I had a pair of these regularly when I was in Surin.

I've been wanting to see a Pied Kingfisher since I got to Thailand about couple of years back without success. I hear they are common around Ayutthya. Also have tried Bueng Boraphet with no luck. I am very certain what I sighted isn't one and am positive it is a WP specie. Its stout body should rule out KF and KFs really do stand out with their large bills and fairly large heads too. Mind sharing whereabouts in Surin I could get lucky?

Thanks.

Thanks for sharing these cool videos. So how does this work? Why do our eyes tell us it is uphill when it is obviously not. Any one with an easy layman's explanation?

Although I cannot be 100% certain, the Fulvous breasted WP has a longer body length and red crown or vent which would have at least offered me a glimpse of compared to this pure blk/wht WP I sighted. Definitely more 'stubby' and almost tailless plus I think has a breast/chest broader than the Fulvous.

I am very tempted to call Heart-spotted but don't know if this degraded forest would support this particular specie.

Only thing left is hopefully get a pic of it next encounter.

I know of one place where that happens. Not sure of the GPS coordinates but could get them for you. This place is in the Khao Koh Highlands which would be between Loei and Phitsanoluk. If you would like me to get the GPS info for you send an email to me. [email protected]

Thanks Kevin I have looked and searched every resource I could think of but found nothing. Would be fantastic if you can post the coords here so anyone can amuse themselves for a few moments if they happen to pass this location. Email sent too!

I live in Bangkok (collared doves. pigeons and Sparrows) outside the city I lived in Surin and then Pak Chong for a few years and clocked up a number of species. Khao Yai was a huge breakthrough. To watch the hornbills (black, pied, great) was awesome. Has anybody observed hornbills outside of the national parks in Isaan?

I'm guessing the rural Thais have hunted the hornbills for its meat outside the parks. Once saw a Thai man in a village in Surin walking along the path with a black-shouldered kite he had caught in a trap.

I was at Lam Chae Dam couple of weeks back (N14deg 20' 41.14" E102deg 14' 54.01")near Khon Buri on a fishing trip and I sighted a solitary Pied Hornbill flying across a narrow stretch of water. The surrounding forest is degraded and I was pleasantly surprised to see this bird. And over at Lam Plai Mat Dam (N14 17' 05.78" E102 25' 20.16")which I frequent, there is a healthy population of Black-naped Monarch and I've had several sightings of Asian Paradise Flycatcher and White-crested Laughingthrush are well established here too even though the surrounding areas are irreparably degraded. Lately, a very large flock of whistling ducks has taken up residence at this reservoir together with hundreds of Openbills. There is also at least 2 Oriental Darters here. And there is this black and white woodpecker with a rather stubby tail and unmistakable WP flight pattern that I have seen a number of times but never seen perched. Still unsure what it is. So for most of the area being denuded, this part of Isaan still provides a sanctuary for the hardier species.

Many years back I remember driving along a stretch of country road probably from Loei towards Phitsanulok and somewhere along I was requested to stop by my then thai gf rather abruptly. The car was then put into neutral and engine killed. What happened next was quite amazing even though we knew it to be an illusion--the car appeared to roll uphill. Now, I wish to revisit this spot but haven't the faintest idea where this is as this was way before car GPSes became popular. So if anyone here knows where this could be I'd be most grateful if he/she can share the coordinates or any form of identifying landmark. Thanks in advance.

I've just stumbled upon this Isaan birding thread and have just finished reading all 5 pages worth and am wondering if this is still active as I too am in Isaan and a novice birder. Would like to find out and share sightings with more knowledgeable like minded folks here.