boat width

[allen.wood]

Just wondering what a safe width would be for a aluminum boat to be on the Mississippi river without getting wiped out by barges. I know of people who have ventured out in a 1648 but not sure how safe it is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: boat width

You can fish/boat safely on the Mississippi from a canoe if you understand the river and know how to avoid barges. You simply need to stay away from them as the bow wave will swamp a small boat. If you approach a curve, well before you get there, swing to the outside of the curve to see if a barge is coming. If not, continue on your way. If a barge tow is approaching, you should get the the inside of the curve and as close to shore as you can. The barge tow will aim the lead barge toward the point and cut the corner as the tow boat swings to the outside of the curve. Keep the bow of your boat aimed at the approaching wave at all times. Do not try to pass the barge on a curve. They can take up the entire channel.

 

[allen.wood]

Re: boat width

Great I will take someone who has experience on the river with me been wanting to get out there to catfish for a while but didn't know how well my 1542 would hold up.

 

[seven up]

Re: boat width

What's a "1542" ? Is that a catheter ??? Leg brace ???

 

[allen.wood]

Re: boat width

15 ft long 42 inch bottom jon boat

 

[dg512055]

Re: boat width

Back in the 60's and 70's my dad duck hunted on the MS here in TN and KY with a 1436 and 7-1/2 Mercury OB. He would take 1 or 2 other buddies and a load of decoys and guns and shells. I have hunted many times on the river with my 1652 F&F and 25 Merc OB. In this area the river is pretty wide and you can always stay safely away from barge traffic. You must be familiar with the locations of sand bars and rock dykes. Also have to avoid certain eddy areas that can get really nasty. The only time I have been in trouble was one morning hunt at 20 degF and the wind got up to 25-30 mph. On the way back (about 4 miles) we ran into huge waves on the south end of Bessie Bend. They were at 6 to 8 feet high. All we could do was run directly into them until we got close to shore where they were smaller, then we had to travel back along the shore to the truck. I would hold the 25 Merc wide open going up the face of the waves, then we would fall into the troughs with a huge slam. To make things worse, there was a barge coming 1/2 mile behind us going downstream as we were. There were 20 white knuckles in that boat when we got back. You really have to respect the big river.

DG

 

[highN'dry]

Re: boat width

I have seen whirlpools on Old Man River that would suck a 30 footer down.

 

[seven up]

Re: boat width

I'd go in the 15 footer x 42. Watching the conditions closely.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: boat width

Just wondering what a safe width would be for a aluminum boat to be on the Mississippi river without getting wiped out by barges. I know of people who have ventured out in a 1648 but not sure how safe it is.

If it's made of aluminum, it could be 300' wide and it would get wiped out by a barge! Staying away from barges, no matter the width, length, height, color, race, creed, or national origin of your boat would be my first advice!