Det River Queston

[flipper]

I have a 14' Alum row boat with an 8hp motor, how safe would it be to take on the river? or Erie?

Thanks

Flipper

[huntingmaniac45]

As long as its not windy, and you stay away from the big packs of boats, with all the yahoos running thru the pack, you should be OK.

[Michihunter]

No problem!! I've been out in 12' with a 4hp on it. Get's a little on the rough side at times, but nothing that can't be handled if driven properly.

[fire-tiger]

Would not feel to safe venturing out there without a transom height of at least 24". If less than that you should have a good bilge pump or be able to bail really fast when some yahoo comes by your stern at 30 mph and half swamps you. There are some REAL boneheads out there, take care.

[Captain Tan Can]

You'll be OK in the river, like the other guys said watch for big wakes and slip the bow into them. I personally wouldn't go very far into the Lake just because the weather can blow up so fast and it will take you a while with the small motor getting to safety. You'll find that 90% of the storms come from the West and you will generally be driving into them to reach your port. 5 miles can take forever when you're trying to beat the storm !

[William H Bonney]

You'll be OK in the river, like the other guys said watch for big wakes and slip the bow into them. I personally wouldn't go very far into the Lake just because the weather can blow up so fast and it will take you a while with the small motor getting to safety. You'll find that 90% of the storms come from the West and you will generally be driving into them to reach your port. 5 miles can take forever when you're trying to beat the storm !
Right on. I have a 12ft deep V with a 9hp, that I take out there. I launch outta Erie Metro and those west-winds are a bear. I usually zig-zag through the islands where its calmer, still gets pretty scary at times. I don't walleye fish the channel though,, only perch in the slack waters with that boat. I'd feel no worries in a 14ft.deepV,, actually just looked at one at Freeway Boats yesterday.

[brdhntr]

I have a 14' Alum row boat with an 8hp motor, how safe would it be to take on the river? or Erie?

Thanks

Flipper

I fish both in my 14' semi V with a 15 hp, no trouble. On Erie, you have to watch the weather, and pick your days. And if you are planning to say run out to Ohio water from Brest Bay, not a very smart idea, IMHO.

Main thing is to know your boat, and know how to handle it.

[flipper]

Thank you for all the info, When the weather is right I will venture out!!

Flipper

[sullyxlh]

do not put yourself between a wake and a breakwall,the wake coming back will get ya,as the weather warms all the bigger boats come out,watch out for them.