Avoiding Depth Fear :)

[imstriker]

Ok, I know that it's a boat and things break, but I feel I have an irrational fear of breaking things. Years and years ago I used to run a boat around on a lake I knew well. I managed to stray a little too far, hit something, and snapped a drive-shaft to the tune of thousands of dollars. Now, back to present day where I have my beautiful little 2009 Starcraft and feel utterly paranoid about doing it again.

We are very excitedly going to take our first boat trip (that is trip towing boat) up to the inland waterway in Michigan and I'm looking for ideas (beyond get over it) to help me feel better in taking my baby on an unknown waterway without spending a fortune.

I have a transom-mount fishfinder with depth that is not the easiest to see from the captain's chair. Is a in dash depth gauge worth it? Some magic charts or magic charting device? I was thinking of the Android app everyone talks about here. Some protection for breaking things on the lower end?

I know that was long and I thank you for being my boat therapists. I really apprecaite any ideas.

2009 Starcraft 1700 Fish and Ski

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

Welcome to iboats, sounds like a nice rig you've got and well worth protecting the motor.

I'd recommend a depth finder with a "shallow alarm"...I have a Garmin and you can set it so the alarm goes off if you enter water less than 3' deep.

Also a skeg guard could offer some protection from hitting rocks.

The inland waterway has plenty of depth for your boat, much larger vessels make the loop, up to 5' draft even.

I'm planning on making the trip this summer as well, possibly with some other Michigan Starcraft iboaters, the older Stacraft boats have quite a following here.

Try to stay in the channel, and follow proper etiquette and you'll be fine.

 

[dazk14]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

There is no substitution for local knowledge. I have a feeling this time around, you won't stray too far.

When you get there, stop by your local marina and buy a chart. More importantly, ask about underwater hazards and locations to avoid, etc.. - experienced people there should know it all. They may even help you plot a course for you to see the more interesting locations (bring a pencil). Teach the better half to read it and look for markers underway.

Often times many Waterways are close to wysiwyg - simple - avoid running ashore or into an island. Depth changes (even wood stumps) and floating debris (logs, etc.) will create a slightly different wave/ripple pattern. Stay alert and don't be afraid to slow down and trim the outdrive up.

Set the depth alarm on your depth finder to a generous amount.

Buy insurance.

That's a start.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

I boat a Lake Winnipesaukee in NH, which is extremely rocky and notoriously hard on propellers and lower gearcases. My chartplotter has never let me down.

My advice is to have the latest charts on hand and use a chartplotter with the latest cartography installed for the area you wish to boat. Before you head out on your trip, spend the time entering a safe route (double check it on the paper charts) into the chart plotter and follow it. You can set an alarm on the chartplotter to alert you if you go off-course by a specified distance.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

I think a depth finder alarm on a 17' boat is overkill; you have a small boat so you can go in shallow water, and sometimes have to when the deep water is too rough. Alarms don't work well in shallow water and the sensor is usually at the motor, or the "too late" point. But maybe I'm spoiled by 40+ years of running aground with no consequences.

Solution? #1 is local knowledge; #2 is good information (charts), #3 is learning how to read the water. None of these are failsafe; the risk of hitting bottom is part of boating like the risk of getting hit by a golf ball is part of golf. But a good depth finder will help you obtain 1, 2 and 3. forget the alarm.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

The reason I recommended a depth alarm in this case is that the waterway the OP is asking about is basically a really long "no-wake" zone, and the alarm will let him know if he's leaving the main channel.

Setting it at 3' will give you time to react before hitting anything at low speeds.

I agree that totally relying on a depth alarm is not the only solution, experience with the water in question is always the best way to avoid problems, as mentioned.

 

[jkust]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

My irrational fear is based on our very short warm boating season, lessened by how much time I can actually get on the boat. One hit and you are out for the season in line at the repair shop waiting for weeks. The $ doesn't matter to me so much as the ruined vacation and weeks or longer of no boat. When I was a kid my dad once hit a rock pile at high speed in our brand new bowrider the second day into a two week vacation. I never want to repeat that. I simply go slow on unknown waterways with one eye on the depth gague. In your shoes, I'd be buying some version of a chart plotter or map chip. If my depth alarm goes off and I'm going on plane, there will likely be some trouble soon. Also an aluminum prop may not be such a bad idea.

 

[imstriker]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

You guys all move really fast. Thank you much, this has been very insightful. I really appreciate the time and thought towards my therapy . At a minimum I will set my fishfinder/depth alarm to 3' as a start. That makes a lot of sense. You are right in that those shallow edge channels are very intimidating to me. We have a house rented on Burt Lake at the end of May. It will probably still be a little chilly then, but I hope to spend all of our time up there on the water exploring.

 

[jrs_diesel]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

A depth alarm would not have helped me last year, even if I could mount one on my boat (a 9' inflatable). I ran over a mostly submerged railroad tie. Superficial damage was all I got, but it taught me an important lesson. Keep a sharp lookout and be aware of your surroundings.

Happy boating

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

imstriker. Google, inland waterway MI. you can find all the info you need.
With that size boat you should have no problem. Take some warm weather clothes, you will need them in may. Have a safe trip. You'll be fine.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

You mentioned you have an Android phone. I'd highly recommend taking a look at Navionics software. I use it on my iPhone & love it. It's a full GPS chart-plotter in your pocket & works well for our smaller boats where the cost of a full-blown chart-plotter doesn't really make sense. I share your fear, so know where you're coming from. My boat is even harder to fix if I break something, so it's constantly in the back of my mind!

 

[imstriker]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

Thank you for that recommendation. I was debating that on my list too to throw on my Evo. My love for toys wants me to buy a standalone machine but it sounds like this is well worth trying out first.

 

[shrew]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

My .02.....

1) The larger and more heavily boated areas tend to have much better and more accurate aids to navigation. While smaller, less populated lakes and ponds have less to none. Consider boating in areas where the marking system is better maintained, AND, clearly understand how to quickly read the marking system being used on the body of water you're boating on.

2) There is no substitution for accurate and up to date charts, along with a strong understading of how to read them.

3) Condiser installing a GPS. That will include charts as well as your relative position. It will also show you where you've already been so you can follow breadcrumbs back home again.

4) Don't navigate in skinny water you are unfamiliar with.

5) Boat where other boats are boating. Particular if the boat is larger than you. If you see boats in a cove, great. If you're not sure how to make your way in, follow someone else, if possible.

6) Give aids to navigation (markers) wide berth. Markers and shoals can move. Just because the marker indicates you should be on this side of it, doesn't mean you need to be able to touch it as you pass by.

7) The path from on marker to the next is not always a straight line. In addition, you need to keep a bearing between the previous marker and the next marker to truly ensure that you are on the proper side and not creeping out of the navigable waters.

Just a few thoughts.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

Redundancy is key...have a spare boat handy...lol.

In all seriousness, I share the same fear as the OP and have found that all of the above advice is key, especially the "go slow and pay attention" routine. If I find myself in an unfamiliar part of the lake and am wondering if I can make it through a certain area, I try to wait for a "guinea pig" to go ahead of me, preferably one that is bigger with deeper draft. I then follow the same course as the guinea pig. Not feasible for long trips, but may get you through some tight spots.

 

[RGrew176]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

As far as Michigans Inland Waterway goes, check this out. Lots of good information.

http://www.fishweb.com/maps/inlandwater/index.html

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Avoiding Depth Fear

For your trip to the Michigan Inland waterway, DON'T BE AFRAID.

There is hardly anywhere on Burt or Mullet Lakes that will be a problem. All of the rivers are well marked with navigational markers and some privately owned bouys and such.

Crooked lake has some areas that you should be aware of, however, most of the norhtern (shallow) portion is well marked.

Get the app for your phone...you mentioned that you have an Android, right? Get the Navionics app. The inland water way should be included with the Great Lakes download. This will give you peace of mind...although you are your own best defense. Be smart. Watch where you are going and have fun.