What I Needed To See

[Sportdog7]

Today I took the boat out. Just me and the dog, its a scorcher out there today so a boat ride was a welcome thing! And this time I had my GPS!! So no more guessing on how fast the modified Starcraft, (Removed the windshield & most of the decking and turned it into a duck boat of sorts) was going with the 15hp. on the back of the boat. I eased away from the dock and turned the GPS on, then "LOL" I put the hammer down away we went going against a slight current. I looked at the GPS 18.9 MPH all the way up the dammed up river, about 3 mi.. Then on the return trip 19.4 MPH all the way back. This tells me things will be just fine if I choose to use the 15hp this fall, I've already had this rig up on plane with myself the dog & my son, I'm sure I wasn't going 19 MPH but I had the boat on plane with ease. Sure is good to know I will be able to use this motor on either boat this fall.

 

[Sportdog7]

Re: What I Needed To See

I'm really amazed in a way considering how big this boat is that the 15 is capable of handling it so well! I owe that marina many thanks for giving me solid advice on prop size selection. Can't wait for fall when I can this rig out duck hunting!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: What I Needed To See

Depends on how many Dekes you put in the boat,plus waders, gun and such.
I would do a test run with all the equipment. ???

 

[Sportdog7]

Re: What I Needed To See

Well I was thinking the same but I don't think it will approach the load I had on this set up the 1st time I tried it. I had myself 320lbs my son 335lbs my dog 95lbs and 2 anchors, I'm estimating 800lbs. I use around 100 Herters decoys on big water, My guess is I'll be at or under 800lbs.. But it doesn't hurt to try first to make sure.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: What I Needed To See

What is considered BIG WATER.
BIG WATER FOR ME is The Great Lakes where I hunt. Waves at times of 3 feet.
Only carry 50 mag herters in a 16 foot Seanynph 25 merc.
I know I'm over the max rating

 

[Sportdog7]

Re: What I Needed To See

Were on the same page, I hunt Lake Michigan the only difference when we get those 3 footers I hunt the protected bays. My boat is very sea worthy but I wont go out in seas like that, I have been caught in them a few times!