Strange lake advice

[KBHumphrey]

Re: Strange lake advice

Hey everyone, thanks for all the posts. Thought I'd do a followup:

I ended up printing out a bunch of lake survey maps (thanks Bekosh. I stumbled onto the same link) to see where the shallow areas were. Based on 40+ year old depth maps I said 'screw it' and just launched out onto the largest lake near me: Lake Geneva. 5000+ acres, over 100' feet deep in most areas.

Spent two days out this weekend with the wife and kids. LOVE IT. Kids were screaming with joy as we chopped through wakes and can't wait until the water warms up a little more so they can start tubing, swimming, etc. Now we are all burned, sore but smiling. Can't wait to get out again.

Thanks again all.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Strange lake advice

Unless I missed a line, Ziggy was the only one to call the 'maps' Charts. Thank you Ziggy.
That gets me just as bad as people calling magazines for guns 'clips'.


Maps are what you use to find the route to the lake, Charts are what you use to navigate the water.

And to add a bit more, and reiterate the importance, I'll mention this...

Charts are, as far as I know, marked for low water, but if you have a particularly dry season, its possible that you go below what the chart says. Its a reference, not absolute.

Either way, I wouldnt take any boat on any body of water I didn't know intimately well without referencing a chart first. You'll know before you even step foot in the boat where the shallower parts are, and you can be on your toes and alert long before your eyes or a depth finder ever give warning.
My grandfather hit a rock in 30ft of water. It was practically a pillar, and it wasn't marked anymore (used to have a buoy). Theres really no time to react to something like that.
Rocks aren't the only hazard either, my local waters have water pipes, and power lines on the bottom as well.

This is an excellent website to bookmark.
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/OnLineViewer.html
View for free, and if you're really interested, you can always buy a waterproof paper copy.

I also use my hard copies for notes, usually penciling in travel time, so at a glance, I know it takes 2hrs to cross Lake Champlain from my mooring to the Naked Turtle in Plattsburg, so I know when to start pregaming.
Or that it's 2hrs to the Burlington waterfront... so I know when to start pregaming.

 

[haley]

Re: Strange lake advice

Great advice so far. I few additional thoughts though:

People are talking about charts and maps. Another resource is fishing maps often found at the closest bait shop. Maybe not used instead of, but in addition to. I lake hop often and have found some of these to be little more than photocopies of the lake but they show depth, obstructions, weeds, etc. Often include local tips too about obstructions, currents, etc.

I was thinking with all of the rain we've had the water levels would rise and depth would be less of an issue. Not so - some stuff that is usually above the water is now below. Some of the inlets and such take on different shapes and it can be tougher to reconcile your location with the map/chart (i would love a GPS / Chartplotter).

I just dinged a prop. Not a rock but a log. Some lakes are fed by creeks and such that are introducing a lot of debris. It would pay, literally, to know if this is a worry on the lake and where these feeds are. Local knowledge.

I have a chart of San Francisco Bay used by a buddy who is an Engineer on an oil tanker (not sure what the nav tool is doing in the engine room). They took the standard chart and used a hi-lighter to redefine the edges of the body of the water. All of these "no go zones" were due to questionable water depth, traffic, or other issues. I did the same for one of my local bodies of water. I know where I have to go slow and stay in the channel and where I can play without (with less) worry.

Yes, I dinged a prop. It was aluminum and is being refurbished. I need to get a spare and will go either aluminum or I have been looking at the piranha composite props. This is a hot issue around here. I think there is no right answer, only what works best for you. For me the ability to change out a single blade, replace the entire prop as a repair or replace it to change pitch is attractive. Having the prop shatter instead of still function with a ding in it is less attractive. Regardless of steel, aluminum or composite you should consider a spare (and the floating prop wrench).

Any new lake I would take a cruise around first, pinging it with the depth finder, to get the lay of the land. Or follow.

jh