Advice for a 14' x 38" Flat Bottom

[mlowry7]

I just purchased the above mentioned craft with trailer and rigged with a 1967 Evinrude 9.5 horse. I know that a flat bottom of this size may be a bit dangerous on a larger lake (which I am only 10 miles from 2 of the biggest lakes in TX). What size lake (acre) would I be better off frequenting for my situation? Thanks

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Advice for a 14' x 38" Flat Bottom

Hi mlowry7. Welcome to iboats. If you take good care of your motor, you shouldn't have to worry about the lake size too much. You may want to use a GPS device to see exactly where you are at all times and how fast you can run at WOT, that way you know how long it would take you to get to shore should bad weather arise and use that as your outer limit. While I certainly don't do it, folks in my neck of the woods routinely can/do take boats like yours, basically jon boats, several miles off shore into the gulf of mexico to catch fish about the same size as the boat itself. Assuming the weather is good and your motor is well maintained, it doesn't really matter if you're 10 yards from shore or 10 miles. Letting folks know where you're going, using a GPS and taking care of your gear are more important than lake size per se. After all, the Polynesians crossed the pacific in canoes

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Advice for a 14' x 38" Flat Bottom

Good advice, only thing I'll add is a way to monitor the weather. You won't be able to out run a storm in something like that if it takes you by surprise. Get a smart phone and keep an eye on the weather and you should be fine.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advice for a 14' x 38" Flat Bottom

always carry a bailer.

An anchor properly rigged is crucial so that if you break down you won't get blown out to worse conditions, although I know there are limitations with a deep lake.

Signalling devices are also very important in your case as a swamped jon boat is hard to spot. be sure your cell phone is ALWAYS in a watertight container.

on a lake, consider staying on the lee side if you can, and be mindful of sheltered places you can duck into, and rough places to avoid, if you get caught.

I would think that most of your activity will be along the edges rather than out in the middle anyway.