I am still learning the limits of my Kenner V186 with Merc 90hp as far
as skinny water goes. Does anyone have a rough estimate as to the
difference in draft required between running on a plane and just simply
floating? How much shallower can I go if I go roaring thru an area vs
just trying to pole my way out. I don't have a jackplate.

tks
don

In article .com,
says...
I am still learning the limits of my Kenner V186 with Merc 90hp as far
as skinny water goes. Does anyone have a rough estimate as to the
difference in draft required between running on a plane and just simply
floating? How much shallower can I go if I go roaring thru an area vs
just trying to pole my way out. I don't have a jackplate.

tks
don


I'd really have to opine that it may not be the boat and motor limits
you have to worry about. If I were in water shallow enough to be
concerned with the not too many inches difference in draft between plane
and not plane I doubt I'd be roaring through.

But, it's your boat and motor

Have fun

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

On 7 Apr 2005 09:59:23 -0700, wrote:
I am still learning the limits of my Kenner V186 with Merc 90hp as far
as skinny water goes. Does anyone have a rough estimate as to the
difference in draft required between running on a plane and just simply
floating? How much shallower can I go if I go roaring thru an area vs
just trying to pole my way out. I don't have a jackplate.

==============================================

With the boat out of the water, measure from the lowest point of your
transom (stern), to the lowest point of your prop. Add in another 6
or 7 inches and that will be close to your minimum running depth when
on a full plane.

That said, if you REALLY want to run in shallow water, a jack plate is
the way to go. I'd also recommend carrying a spare prop and the tools
to change it.

Around 4/7/2005 11:46 AM, Wayne.B wrote:

That said, if you REALLY want to run in shallow water, a jack plate is
the way to go. I'd also recommend carrying a spare prop and the tools
to change it.

One benefit of running in extremely shallow water: When (not if) you
need to change your prop, you can just hop over the side and stand
behind the motor.


--
~/Garth - 1966 Glastron V-142 Skiflite: "Blue-Boat"
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing about in boats."
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Its more a curiosity question than anything else. As I was out there
poling around this weekend I was just wondering how much margin these
guides really have as they went roaring by. I suppose it makes a
difference if you are doing it every day for a living.

Is the tunnel for the shallow running on a plane or so you can get on a
plane in shallow water? same question for jack plate, it gets you up
when you're stuck but once on a plane you put it down?

I imagine I'll keep doing the same thing.
Slowly run aground on the reef and then pole my way out. I have
already installed the keel guard stainless thing on the motor and the
front keel vinyl thing too. I got a feeling if I blow that steel prop
there's going to be lots more damage elsewhere.

As far as not going there, that's not really an option since 75% of
the gulf coast is skinny water and it seems that 95% of the fish are
there. (ya'll know that) One has to get used to the idea that salt
water fishing is a lot more abusive than bass fishing in the pristine
central Texas lakes.

Maybe a jack plate is in the future.

tks

In article ,
says...
I'd also recommend carrying a spare prop and the tools
to change it.



Probably want to add a hull emergency patch kit to that also.

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

when i was a kid we had an 18' larson with a 70 horse evinrude. there was
an area of skinny tidal flats around where we summered. i remember
learning from a guy at the marina that the boat drew about 18" sitting
still, but only about 9" on the plane. never went through the shallows,
though.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Garth Almgren wrote:
Around 4/7/2005 11:46 AM, Wayne.B wrote:

That said, if you REALLY want to run in shallow water, a jack plate is
the way to go. I'd also recommend carrying a spare prop and the tools
to change it.


One benefit of running in extremely shallow water: When (not if) you
need to change your prop, you can just hop over the side and stand
behind the motor.



If the water is that shallow, you should tie off the boat and walk.

--
Bush and the NeoConvicts who control him
are destroying the once-great United States.

Not as much fun. The pure river sled aluminum jetboats draw about 2" at
speed, and take about 12" to get started. My big water version draws about
6" and takes about 14" to start if the 67 gallon fuel tank is near full.

On Thu, 7 Apr 2005 16:43:58 -0400, Mike G
wrote:

In article ,
says...
I'd also recommend carrying a spare prop and the tools
to change it.


Probably want to add a hull emergency patch kit to that also.

==================================

Maybe, but prop damage is MUCH more common here in south Florida.

Don't ask me how I know that. :-)