Re: Advice from River Rats
I run rivers almost exclusively, mostly shallow. Not for "sport" but because that's what we have. <br /><br />The "only" way to go is with a jet lower unit. My boat, which is not a hard-core shallow draft hull, but pretty decent, draws about 12-15 inches standing still. On step it will go through 6 inches without touching, a little less, touching, but not damaging or getting stuck.<br /><br />New, installed this is a $1500 item, give or take. Used, I think you could find one 1/2 the price and install yourself (easy to do if you're at all familiar with lower units and/or at all mechanically inclined). They really are simple items and probably pretty easy to determine if a used unit is servicable.<br /><br />If I were to invest in ANYTHING to run rivers, I'd do this before anything else including a skegguard or jackplate. You might have to modify your transom for the jet unit or add a manual jackplate or such.<br /><br />Most jet outboards around here are just set to a height w/o a jackplate. I have a hydraulic jackplate and really love it. It isn't critical, but does allow me some better efficiency given different loads in the boat.<br /><br />The typical hull, whether it be open bow/jon boat type or closed bow runabout type is a very shallow deadrise bottom - some are flat, but a very shallow V is better, I believe.<br /><br />The guys who do rivers with prop lower units (very few nowadays, more common 15 - 20 years ago) use/used a a version of a jackplate that literally has a long ratcheted handle and a person can jack the motor up by pushing down on the long lever handle. The typical general way of running is to standing up (generally a stable, flat bottomed boat) with left hand on engine tiller, right hand on jack lever. Jack when necessary.<br /><br />As for on plane vs. slow. THAT'S THE QUESTION. I probably have more discussions (over a beer of course) with my river boat buddies about this. The conventional wisdom is when you get into a shallow spot, gun it, get your draft as shallow as possible and go over the shallow spot. Trouble is, more speed + too shallow water = getting very stuck. On rivers I'm unfamiliar with, I tend to go as slow as possible and still be on step, pick my way through. If I figure out where the best channel is, and really need to go fast to get through, I'll do it then. A lot of it just has to do with your own nature, and how good you are (or think you are) in reading the river. Upstream's always easier than down stream - you can slow down when needed, and /or float back if you run into trouble.<br /><br />Always fun, always an adventure -get yourself a rope comealong.
