Safe to boat there?

[scrobo]

My boat is no fancy big party boat.

Simple little 14' fiberglass runabout from the 50s/60s.

She sits rather low at the stern (Maybe due to 40hp motor) and I'm a fairly new boater. (Used to boat YEARS AND YEARS AGO when going up north) To be honest I am a bit of a cautious nut now... and worry too much when out there.

Anyways... Is it a good idea to use my boat on Large Lakes (ie Lake Ontario or Lake Erie) or larger fast running rivers (ie Niagara river)?

Or should I keep her on small calm lakes and rivers? I will be on calm lakes every year going up North but I would love to recreational boat on weekends near my home and there are simply no small calm lakes nearby. I am closest to Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

We're heading up to Lake Nosbonsing and bass Lake this year to do some fishing. Nice calm lakes. may even attempt to pull a tube (If I can find one under $100 here). But to make this long story short... should I stay out of the big water? Or am I ok to go in under certain circumstances?

PS. thanks to all on iBoats. Very very helpful forum.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Safe to boat there?

The fact that you’re worried about should pretty much answer your question.

All it would take is the weather to kick up or a wake from a large boat passing by to swamp you. Are you willing to take that chance with your life and the life of your passengers?

I guess you could putt around close to shore but do so with caution.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Safe to boat there?

The fact that you?re worried about should pretty much answer your question.

Exactly!!!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Be careful and watchful. Don't go out with impending bad weather, and stay in protected areas. Just be smart about it, get to know your boat very well and how it handles; a safe boating course can be very useful as well.

Get out and enjoy your boat!!!​

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Well... We've booked some time at some small lakes up north. bass Lake and Lake Nosbonsing (IN Ontario) an I think this may be a good start.

I see guys in Lake Erie out there all the time fishing and Lake Erie gets bad when the wind whips across it. I guess I am just not comfortable with the boat yet.

We'll be off this weekend to Bass Lake first (testing smart tabs) and a few susequent trips from then on.

Promiosed the boy we'd eventually pull a tube. So I gotta get comfortable.

How does one get in and out of a small runabout boat from swimming without capsizing it?

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Is your boat that unstable? Normally, if they have the strength, just let them pull themselves over the side, or transom. If it tries to flip with that, you may have a problem.

 

[rndn]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Why are you worried? There must be something telling you it would not be a smart thing to do. Do you see a lot of other people using a similar boat in Lake Ontario and the Niagara river? I seriously doubt you will see many boats your size in either body of water.

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

I see them occasionally. Mostly jon boats. going fishing.

I guess I am just over worried due to the investment I have in this damn thing. If I lose it I'll be p!$$#@. And I am a bit more cautious in my age now I'll be trying the "over the side" option. the boat just seems small to me. And it's pretty old.

Maybe I'm being paranoid. We'll see this weekend.

 

[Zamboni]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Without checking it out personally no one here can say you'll be fine. That said, many people pick their days and go out on Erie....I would stay away from Niagra river(current) and Lake O in a 14'

Tube at Wal Mart (Canada) were enjoying is the cheap Airhead....very unstable so you don't have to go quick to give kids a scary ride.

Mostly head to Kawartha's myself-4' whitecaps chased me off Simcoe today in our 16.5'....be careful while your learning.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Safe to boat there?

hum, it'd think a 14'er speedboat on high seas might be a drag. 40hp might not be enough to outrun a follower. get in the stuff and ya better ride the back of a wave if ya can keep up. best watch the weather real close too. hope yer good at that so ya don' end up in the stuff. river runnin is, can be just as exciting. the current can overwelm ya just how ya don't want and just the wrong time....be prepared to go.......now a 11', 140hp waverunner would be a different...........

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Without checking it out personally no one here can say you'll be fine. That said, many people pick their days and go out on Erie....I would stay away from Niagra river(current) and Lake O in a 14'

Tube at Wal Mart (Canada) were enjoying is the cheap Airhead....very unstable so you don't have to go quick to give kids a scary ride.

Mostly head to Kawartha's myself-4' whitecaps chased me off Simcoe today in our 16.5'....be careful while your learning.

You mean Karwatha Lake by Bobcaygeon? I heard it is a nice area with lots of waterways to keep you happy. I like North bay alot. We go to Astorville just outside there every year at least once. Shallow lake and faitly small but good pike and bass, And I know alot of folks up there too.

Bass Lake was disappointing for fish. I'll check out Karwatha next year maybe.

Is the Airhead that unstable? It was my first consideration due to price

 

[Zamboni]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Kawartha's is the area-series of lakes. Bobcaygeon is the major town in are, pigeon and Sturgeon lake meet there. Great area, terrific fishing and boating....lakes are part of Trent/Sevrn system so main channel has big cruisers.

I have lakes topo charts scanned in and on a file sharing site for dl if you head up just ask. Posted about the tube in other thread-it is unstable but that's fun. Smaller one we had needed to go a lot faster to flip kids or even bounce around-kids get more 'thrill' at slower speed with the Airhead....probably good choice for your 40hp.

 

[eriediver]

Re: Safe to boat there?

My first boat was a 15' Glastron with an 85hp Johnson. I used it on lake erie all the time. I preffered calm water but got her in some chop now & then. With the 85 it wasn't a problem outrunning the followers. I say get comftorable with your boat & go for it. A lil common sense goes a long way.
& I hate the Niagara River. Bringing my boat home from Gr. Island scared the hell outta me. Just knowing the falls were back there was an unsettling feeling. & the currents can make the boat handle funny. If you've been in this area for a while you can read the lake & know when it's safe to go out.
& check this site first
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/gtlakes.htm

9they haven't been to accurate on wave height this year tho)


& for everyone else, you'd be surprised some of the boats I've seen head out into Lake Erie. I've rescued a half dozen or so fisherman over the years who thought they could go out in 4-5 footers with their Bass Boats

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Well.. I thik Erie is going to be a good decision for perch

As for the river.. I hear ya. I go across the Peave Bride 2X a week and the current look s angry

But it dounds like I will be looking for a weekend up by Bobcaygeon soon.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Safe to boat there?

exactly where was your bass lake?there,s so mamy of them,mine is behind the brucemines echo -bay area in the real north ontario.bacially sudbury is concidered thre start of nothern ontario.i regually fish lake superior in a 17 foot mfg gypsy star with a 90 hp rude,the whole trick is to know you boat its limatations and the body of water you go on.to me superior is no biggy but to somebody else it might be terrifing.mind you 30 years of boating lake superior the st.marys river and huron add up to a bit of confidence and knowledge of the said lakes.

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

exactly where was your bass lake?there,s so mamy of them,mine is behind the brucemines echo -bay area in the real north ontario.bacially sudbury is concidered thre start of nothern ontario.i regually fish lake superior in a 17 foot mfg gypsy star with a 90 hp rude,the whole trick is to know you boat its limatations and the body of water you go on.to me superior is no biggy but to somebody else it might be terrifing.mind you 30 years of boating lake superior the st.marys river and huron add up to a bit of confidence and knowledge of the said lakes.

Bass Lake is a provincial park just west of Orillia, ON.

Small lake. Bad fishing. But fun for just boating.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Safe to boat there?

you got a picture of your boat?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Safe to boat there?

I regularly take my 14' MFG out on the bay. Have had it on the Hudson river. Believe me, the Hudson has a current!

As you become more confident in your abilities, and learn the abilities of your boat, you can test larger bodies of water. Be sure to plan ahead, have all the emergency equipment you need, be aware of the weather forcast for the day, and you will be fine.

I have been heading out for a great day of boating, but watched the weather change and just turned around and headed back to the launch.

The most important thing you need to know is when to go home.

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

Ido have pictures. Alot.

I've learned when to come in for sure. I have taken it out on Lake Ontario a few times and there was too much activity and alot of chop/ Got very uncomfortable.

I feel a bit better with the Smart Tabs installed. They seem to add a lot of stability to the boat as well as control. The boat lurched alot before which made me very uncomfortable. I feel much better now at WOT. Abd they really made it come out of the hole quickly.

I will definnitly be trying my hand at Lake Erie in September for some perch. We're off to North bay next week. I wish I had more time to spend with the boat. I love it to death.

Pictures?????

Here is the boat when I bought it. Leaked. Rotted transom. Floor with holes. Rotted steering cables. 1 van seat. Electrical nightmare.

Now we've finished it it's like new. Although I miss the windshield. But it was too damaged to use. New floor new transom new seats new steering ne wiring new paintjob new new new new new. I am sure I could have bought a boat in better shape for less than I spent repairing but it was a lot of fun and I learned that a transom needs to be strong

And my favourite picture of it...

 

[scrobo]

Re: Safe to boat there?

And of course.. the convertible needed to be replaced to tow it

so I got to buy a new toy too!