Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

[Natty Light]

So the farthest I have been in my boat is about 10 miles from my home marina.
We boat on the Kentucky Lake portion of the Tennessee River.
I have a 2002 18ft Triton Fish n Ski with a 2001 Yamaha 150 two stroke carb'd.
It handles the chop fine, but 2ft swells will wear you out.

There is a resturant / bar on the water 30 miles to our north called Fat Daddy's.
I have a guys trip of sorts coming up and would like to attempt the ride if the water is calm that day.
The motor is serviced yearly and runs great. The boat is also very sound. No issues.
I have a 30 gallon tank and will likely be running at about 3mpg with 4 guys total on-board.

I would like to hear some advice from anyone who has made a trip that long in a small craft. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[delta229]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

I live in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. My boat is an 18 foot Invader with a 140 Suzuki, 35 gallon tank. I routinely take trips of fifty miles or more. I do plan ahead. I look at the weather including winds and tides. We have some very strong tides in my area so I try to ride the tides as much as possible. Having a smaller "Kicker" motor will give you peace of mind for sure. I carry the normal tools plus a spare fuel filter, a prop with a nut and pin, 2 stroke oil, a good first aid kit. A good VHF radio is a must. I have a DSC radio on board and a handheld radio for backup. Plan your trip, study the charts for your area and use common sense.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

I've made many trips that long or longer in an 18' boat on bigger water. It really isn't that big of a deal. I'd guess that your cruise speed is somewhere around 25-30 mph. So it is just an hour long ride there and an hour long ride back.

How many times have you been on your boat cruising around for more than hour?

Obviously watch the weather and confirm fuel usage so you know you can get back safely. If you really can get 3 mpg then you have the rule of 3rds nailed (1/3 there, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve)

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

Gee that trip should be a breeze, as you have a large enough boat, and you are on a lake. If it get rough, find a lee port and lay low. Check the weather before you go. And don't return in the dark. I took my 18' SeaRay straight out into the ocean for 20 miles. Now that was a bit nerve wracking, but we got some nice Mahi-Mahi.

After weather, I would think fuel is the largest question mark. Find out some fuel stations on your route.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

Its not the way out that wold worry me. Its how much I would drink at Fat Daddy's with the guys

For real, you should be fine. Just make sure to check the weather, have enough PDFs on board etc.

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

Thanks for the responses. I'm really hoping the weather holds up. I'd like to make the journey by boat.
Plenty of stops along the way for gas if the yammy is thirstier than I plan.
The only thing I'm missing that was suggested was a VHF radio.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

The only thing that is a little weird about boating on the impounds down here is the freak pop-up storms we get. Every now and again, you can get a real gully washer that sneaks up outta' nowhere ... and I've gotten 3' chop from 'em.

You may want to chart out the run and plug it into a GPS just to keep yourself to marinas when you can along the way. Priest Lake near Nashville is pretty easy to run around, but a lake like Center Hill or Dale Hollow can have some real long runs between stops.

Otherwise, you should be fine. I would think there's quite a bit of traffic on Kentucky Lake to help out if something does happen. I've never been out to that area but I've heard a lot of nice things about it.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

An hour to 1 1/2 trip? My guess is you have been on the water longer than that many times. A river, with gas stops... way over concerned. Unlikely a VHF will be needed as there should be cell phone coverage... stop thinking about it and go! That 18'er will take a lot more than a 2' or 3' chop anyway.

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

Thanks for the encouragement. Yes I'm probably over-thinking this. This is just my second season which may be why it seems so daunting.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

You're overthinking it. We ran all over KY lake in our 20' boat; even took a trip through Barkley all the way to Nashville. You'll be fine.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Kentucky Lake 30 mile ride in an 18ft boat. Looking for advice before shoving off

Used to make trips longer than that all the time between La Cross, WI and Wabasha, MN in a 14 ft with 40 hp on the Mississippi. Had to dodge the occasional barge and lock thru a few times, but as long as you follow safety rules and watch the weather, no problem.

Glenn