I need lighter boat info.

[Reg312]

I bought a Tri hull this spring for my cabin at lake of the Ozarks. I knew I was in lower water but I couldn't pass on the seclusion we have at a normally very busy lake. I was very excited this spring when water level at my newly built dock was 4'. Now I've heard we are at nearly normal pool and I only have 18 - 24". So I have to sell my tri hull, which is a beautiful low hour boat, and find something that will be able to float to my dock, seat 4-5 comfortably, be nice to be able to drag a 200 pound tuber every once in awhile. Got any ideas on a $3000 budget?

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Put A jet pump on it, or get a river sled with jet pump.

 

[109jb]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

How far to get to deeper water?? I would guess that the draft on a tri-hull isn't much with the motor/outdrive raised. You could get a trolling motor to get to deeper water and then raise the trolling motor and lower the big motor.

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

how much stuff do you have in the boat..my trihull only takes 8 inches of water to kloat

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

could you maby extend your dock....maby attatch a floating dock out as far a you need...jus wandering caus mine fully loaded only takes no more than 12 inches

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

If you like the trihull, i'd keep it and get a trolling motor to dock. I'd be surprised to think that your trihull has a draft that low, even with four or five people on board. At a local lake, the average depth is about 3ft normally, with a four foot dug out channel. I see 20'-30' boats cruise this lake regulary without issue. If you are in 18"-24" of water at dock, your boat should be fine. Now, I've never owned a trihull, but I'm assuming because of their wider bottom, they should draft less then a v-hull.

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

just to throw this out there....when i first got my trihul it sat deep in the water...found out my floor was rotten all the foam under it was waterlloged and the stringers and transom wre bad after removing all that my boat dry weight lost 600 pounds after i put it back together.....just something to think about

 

[Reg312]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Didn't know foam was under the floor. Floor is in perfect shape, but that doesn't mean its not soaked under there.

I will extend the dock out but here at lake of the ozarks we have new rules and laws so I can only go out another 20'. I'd have to go out 100' more to get 6 more inches of water.

Boat mostly pleasure now so no trolling motor. with motor lowered looks like i need 30". I'll remeasure waterline next weekend. Don't have tilt or trim so the 115 merc a ***** to get out of water. guess I could add one. Any good kits for that for a mid 70's merc 115?

 

[Reg312]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Just a little more info. Boat is 75 ish 16' Mark Twain Tri haul. No extra weight. I I bought the tri haul because i feel it has more room than a V.

Is the foam located all thru the boat under the floor? I thought it was hollow under there?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I need lighter boat info.

I boat in shallow water all the time. You just need power tilt; you'd be surprised how little water you can run in. It would be cheaper than a pier extension! I think they make add-ons, or replace the motor since it's got age on it.
Also get a shove pole. Where I operate, it's the second most important piece of equipment. But paddles work too; carry a pair and put your crew to work. Resist the temptation to use a whip to inspire them.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Just a little more info. Boat is 75 ish 16' Mark Twain Tri haul. No extra weight. I I bought the tri haul because i feel it has more room than a V.

Is the foam located all thru the boat under the floor? I thought it was hollow under there?

It can go either way... it depends on the design of the boat... my tri hull has foam filled sides instead of the bottom, and my bottom under the deck is completely hollow... all boats under 20' in length are required to have neutral buoyancy flotation, so it has foam "somewhere" its just a question of where...

 

[Numlaar]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Don't have tilt or trim so the 115 merc a ***** to get out of water. guess I could add one. Any good kits for that for a mid 70's merc 115?

I am looking into this setup:

PTT

I had a sweet deal to have a dealer install a used one on my 77, 70hp evinrude, but he sold it (guess he couldnt wait 2 more weeks even though it said it was no problem )

You would have to hunt around for a used setup, or go with an aftermarket deal like the one linked... trying to buy all the parts new, piece by piece, to add the original factory one would cost a fortune... I don't know of any other ways to put PTT on except for a used or aftermarket setup...

 

[Reg312]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

All good info. Thanks. Last time out my tilt was having everyone to the front of the boat. Worked well. Raised the rear by 6". I carry 3 regular sized oars in the boat. Overkill or paranoid?

 

[Mark42]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

On a three grand budget, you could get a dredge in there to dredge a channel from your dock to deep water every few years.

Or get the tilt/trim unit you need.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

I bought a Tri hull this spring for my cabin at lake of the Ozarks. I knew I was in lower water but I couldn't pass on the seclusion we have at a normally very busy lake. I was very excited this spring when water level at my newly built dock was 4'. Now I've heard we are at nearly normal pool and I only have 18 - 24". So I have to sell my tri hull, which is a beautiful low hour boat, and find something that will be able to float to my dock, seat 4-5 comfortably, be nice to be able to drag a 200 pound tuber every once in awhile. Got any ideas on a $3000 budget?

I am also at LOTO. So at 659 you have only 18 to 24 inches of water under your dock? That will definitely reduce your boating season!

Although it sounds like you have found out to get out by shifting weight forward. In time, you may want to see about dredging out a channel to extend your season, but I don't know the costs. You need to wait until February or so and see what the bottom look like when the lake drops 10 feet.

Oversized oars? Maybe not as they can be used to pole out when the lake is low.

 

[Reg312]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

I'd love to dredge. Gotta get a permit and right now they are not issuing any and don't plan to in the near future. BUT, next Feb I plan to do something no matter what. They lower the water enough that the cove dries out and I can get a bobcat in to do some work.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

I'd love to dredge. Gotta get a permit and right now they are not issuing any and don't plan to in the near future. BUT, next Feb I plan to do something no matter what. They lower the water enough that the cove dries out and I can get a bobcat in to do some work.

Not issuing dredge permits? Hmmm. Interesting.

Out of curiosity, are you back in a cove or way down the main channel or one of the arms? Reason asking has to do to the possibility of any man made channel being refilled from the current.

 

[Reg312]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Don't know if your familiar with Lake of the Ozarks? I'm at MM83 a few miles from Warsaw. Lake narrows considerably here. I'm at one of those tricky areas where if you don't know the lake and where the main water is you just may go the wrong way and beach your boat. I'm just inside one of these areas just off the main water. I guess you can call it a cove. But I guess it could be called an arm? Basically an area that runs alongside the main water but separated by a peninsula kinda thingy. So, I have 500 ish feet and I can hit the main channel. But stays 18" to 24" and gets as deep as 3' till it hits the main channel.

As for the permits, I may have heard him wrong, but thats what I though I heard. Like I said, this winter I'll be drillin some holes extending dock out another 20', and a 16' hinged floating ramp and then the dock. That should get me to 2' of water and enough to paddle in if needed.

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

i still think your boat is a little waterloged and heavy

 

[OldePharte]

Re: I need lighter boat info.

Don't know if your familiar with Lake of the Ozarks? I'm at MM83 a few miles from Warsaw. Lake narrows considerably here. I'm at one of those tricky areas where if you don't know the lake and where the main water is you just may go the wrong way and beach your boat. I'm just inside one of these areas just off the main water. I guess you can call it a cove. But I guess it could be called an arm? Basically an area that runs alongside the main water but separated by a peninsula kinda thingy. So, I have 500 ish feet and I can hit the main channel. But stays 18" to 24" and gets as deep as 3' till it hits the main channel.

As for the permits, I may have heard him wrong, but thats what I though I heard. Like I said, this winter I'll be drillin some holes extending dock out another 20', and a 16' hinged floating ramp and then the dock. That should get me to 2' of water and enough to paddle in if needed.

I will admit that I have never been that far upstream, but know of the navigation hazards from about the 60 mm to Truman Dam. I am at the 11mm.

Yea, you're back in a cove, and the dock extension may be the cheapest route, but you'll still need to get a permit, drawings, etc. Just check what the bottom is like when the lake is low since it will be sitting on it over winter. Ya wouldn't want the ramps to be twisted by a submerged log or stump.

As to the boat. It does sound that something is hinky with the draft. I would think that it shouldn't draw more than a foot.

You could look for a smaller used triple log pontoon on Craigslist or at one of the dealers along 54 hwy from Lake Ozark west with at least a 90hp. Come to think of it, there may be some in Warsaw. I mention a triple log only because the middle tube adds buoyancy and reduces the draft.