Newbie boating on the river

[derek.tracey]

Hi,<br /><br />I am a complete newbie to boating on rivers and streams. Last weekend was the first time out with our newly aquired 14ft aluminum Jon. We were taking it real slow because there are many shallow parts of the river we fish on, and I guess that goes for any small streams. Anyhow, we are new to boating, and noticed that several times other fishers with similar rigs would go flying buy us right on through the shallow parts of the river. How is this possible? Do they simply know the river that well? It didn't seem like they slowed down at all for the shallow parts. <br /><br />Thanks

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

A couple of possibilities:<br /><br />1. Those boaters knew that section of the river very well and knew where they could go fast and where they had to take it easy.<br /><br />2. Those boaters are complete idiots.<br /><br />Probably both are true, depending on the individual.<br /><br />You're wise to take it slow. As you gain experience on the river, you'll learn where you can go fast and where you need to take it easy. You may also be overly cautious right now, and that's good, too. Your boat and motor probably require less water than you think for safe operation, but if you take it easy, you'll learn the limits a lot more safely.<br /><br />Ignore what the others do...that's my advice. Go with your own comfort level.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

I boat on the Delaware River a lot. Water levels cripple a lot of hot shots. Some know the river a long time. Even they are tossed out every few years. A old railroad tie just below the surface and running into the sun glare. Car tires get most people who stand up for a better veiw. Especially when the weeds grow in.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

Make sure that your engine is set so it will tilt up and lock when you hit something. Keep your wits about you and shut it down immediately.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

It could be that they were running fast because when you are on plane wide open, the boat is running higher in the water than at slow speeds. That could give them an additional 6 or so inches of clearance.<br /><br />But I tend to go with the "Idiot" remark <br /><br />Nav

 

[derek.tracey]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

OK. Thanks for the quick response guys. Yeah, me and my buddy thought they were crazy, but then we thought maybe they knew a secret about boating that we did not because it sure took us awhile to work up river.<br /><br />I had heard about the "plane" concept and wasn't quite sure if this fool-proofed running in shallow water or if you still had to be weary.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

Yeah you can run shallower at high speeds but if you hit something you'll hit it a lot harder! Take your time, learn how to read the river, and don't worry about keeping up with the hotshots. The Wisconsin River changes every year (every time it rains really) and it takes me a few runs to get used to where the sandbars and channels have moved off to. Even then I take it cautiously because I like my teeth a lot and would like to keep them as long as possible .

 

[fixin]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

You sure they weren't running jets?It's real common on the smaller rivers around here.

 

[derek.tracey]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

You know, I did not think about if they were running jets. I don't know much about jets, but their outboard motors looked just like ours from the water up any way.

 

[FishyFun]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

Take it easy, enjoy the sites and sounds of the river, and please please wear a PFD geting dumped in a river is alot more dangerous than a lake. I use a SOSuspeders self inflating PFD, I fish alone alot and really want to be able to meet the grandkids someday. Like other people have said take it easy and watch yourself.<br /><br />lee

 

[Dyna]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

Originally posted by CalicoKid:<br /> The Wisconsin River changes every year (every time it rains really) and it takes me a few runs to get used to where the sandbars and channels have moved off to. Even then I take it cautiously because I like my teeth a lot and would like to keep them as long as possible .

The river is real hard to read in certain areas. Launched in Dekorra & kept running into sandbars no matter whuch was I went. Ended up simply towing down to Lake Wisconsin & launching there.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

I always run the OB with the motor lever in the UNLOCKED position. The way it is if you want to tilt it up. Going slow that way, the motor lifts and slides over anything. Remember that you can't race it in reverse that way. It climbs out of the water.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: Newbie boating on the river

I run on the Illionis river, have a cabin on a side shoot off the main channel, when its low you can get to it on plan, ounce stop you must idle out. Like mentioned before its the tree trunk floating down the river you need to watch out for.