Will my boat be to small?

[Fishr23]

Ok I got a question for any one whos been on the willamette in ORegon. I have a 14ft fiberglass boat thats pretty solid. Just curious if others think it will be to small for the willamette. Keep in mind I'll mostly be fishing in smooth areas and under good weather conditions.


EDIT: I will be using it in the portland area.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

a little more about the boat, open fishing boat, bow rider, closed bow, size motor.

 

[Fishr23]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

a little more about the boat, open fishing boat, bow rider, closed bow, size motor.

14 ft fiberglass boat closed bow with walkthrough window. 35 HP evinrude.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

as with any water, any boat, you have to look at the current conditions, and the forecast.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

I never been to that river but with little research it appears to be a very sheltered river. Said that, you can get a spell in any type of water body and get in trouble.
Try to change your title to a more descriptive subject, Include the name of the river and state. Something like "Min boat size for Willamette river, OR." You might draw more of the Oregon guys that lurk here that might have information of the river that we dont have.
Good luck.

 

[SNye45]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

I used to live in Vancouver WA and used to boat on the Willamette quite often. I had a 16ft Smokercraft Lodge with a Mercury 25hp. If you keep a close eye on the weather you should be fine. The strength of the current varies. Watch your speed in places as near the join with the Columbia as there can be some freeky waves. Also the huge Car Transporters move deceptively fast.

All in all if you are careful and don't do anything rash you should be fine.

 

[Varago]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

Howdy Fishr23, 14' sould be fine. I have boated this area for over 40 years with more then an few in an old P14. One word of advice try the Columbia, it has sanding bottoms, the Willamette has ROCK and killed MANY a prop. If ya do boat in the Willamette do it south of Portland, if your from portland you should know the reason.

Dave

ps be sure to watch the wakes of the BIG stink pots.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Will my boat be to small?

I've got a 14' MFG which I hung a 40hp on a few weeks ago just to see what it was like, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it handled rough water. Only ventured out a bit into the bay here but it did just fine, I intentionally took a few big waves just to see what it would do. It road just fine. My larger aluminum boat doesn't take rough water nearly as well.

I have however been in a few boats where I would not want to be in even 2 footers let alone anything rougher.