Advice on running a V-Drive in shallow waters

[TylerO]

Darrel409,

I make several trips to Lake Martinez every year (near the Yuma Army Proving Grounds). Your river advice is well noted. I've been upstream with motor trouble before and been glad I hadn't gone down river. I regularly see V-drives running in this portion of the river and anchored alongside sandbars (as you described) opposed to beached jet's and outboards. I've noticed their much more cautious in the approach as well. Fortunately I know this section of the river well but I'm still going to pick up a better anchor/chain and the extra prop as I'm sure I'll forget I'm driving a V-drive as opposed to my old jet boat. No more beaching for me!

The next question is assuming no other damage, it doesn't appear to be too difficult to change a prop as long as the boat's back on the trailer correct?

[Grant_West]

This is the best Advice any one could give

Daryel said "Just be sure to always have beer in the cooler and a strong battery so the music doesnt die"

[redelf75]

How about one of these? You could keep it on shore and then hold it in place while the family treks across to dry land in style!

[TylerO]

Redelf,
Can you get Santa to deliver an XL and collapasable version of that ramp?

[darrel409]

TylerO, Yes, changing the prop is easy, especially using a prop puller and the boat is on the trailer. If you can hold your breath...you can change it on the water and boat home instead of floating.
Do you kno the draft on your boat? My Ski Nautique says it needs 24 inches but at speed its much less. Often you will do less damage to props struts and shafts by flying over a sandbar and staying on plane. When you throttle back the boat will drop quickly. Many times the decision is instant and motivated by the quanity of beer recently consumed. Speed is your friend and you make it. or Speed Sucks and you just stopped in a good place to contemplate lifes decisions.

At the River there are no rules...and we can change them at any time.
95 Ski Nautique ProBoss and a little bling.

[Grant_West]

OMG: if someone pulled up and threw out a plank like what Redelf showed a photo of so that his wife didnt have to get wet. I would be laughing so hard. To think that someone would store and haul a big plank on a boat thats not known for storage so that his wife wouldnt get wet as she went to shore is very funny. Im sure I wount be the only one laughing and pointing at the river. So unless you hauling "Cleo Patrica" down the nile river leave the plank at home, LOL

[TylerO]

darrel409,

Spec for the SV211 says 28" inches which I assume is while floating dead empty (no gas or ballasts). So when I get the crew and all the gear in the boat I'm thinking waist deep water is necessary at least to get up on plane. I've cleared some shallow sandbars with my old Jet boat at full clip and been stuck on a few when I backed off the throttle so I know what your describing.

I bet you've run the river below Laughlin a few times right? Especially early in the morning before the flow isn't full coming out of Davis Dam while nursing a hang over from the night before? Been there, stuck that with rider in tow.....

One other question then comes to mind. Do the fins/skegs ahead of the prop provide any protection once your on plane or would the prop still be the first thing that would hit a shallow bottom?

[TylerO]

whitechocolate,

I believe Redelf was fully joking about the ramp. Fortunately for me my wife isn't Cleopatra. However, for the amount of #$@&^&% we take with us for a day on the water one could wonder......

[AbunDiga909]

Geez, what kind of idiot would think of such a stupid thing to bring on board, a dog ramp?

Thank God I don't know that guy... :roll:

[Grant_West]

"My Bad" I thought RedElf was serious. Wheuuu!

[darrel409]

TylerO, Prop, shaft, strut, and rudder will hit first and take most of the damage. Probably in that order too. The time i tore off the skegs it totaled the whole boat too, so be careful what you wish for.
If Cleopatra cant get her feet wet and walk to shore shes not getting in my boat. Shes not staying with me. Shes not gonna pass the "river test". And shes not gonna get a second chance. She will get one thing....the boot. bye bye Cleo dont let the door patra on the way out.

[502Python]

A gal that comes on a ski boat that can't pee in the water or get wet needs to stay at home with the dog ramp....

[TylerO]

Darrel409/502Python,

Agreed! My wife is great and river conditioned (not Cleopatra see Photo with family) but the amount of gear we end up taking is Out Of Control. Hence the desire on tips for dumping off lots of gear and passengers. Using the anchor buddy with my new 211 going in back end first should work well with the walk thru design on the 211...[/img]

[ag4ever]

I have a white hull, so I don't really have the same problem as those with colored hulls. I do beach mine from time to time, when I know the conditions (sandy beach that does not have rocks or tree stumps). I am more worried about bending my prop or tracking fins than scratching the hull. Contrary to popular belief hulls can be fixed. (Ask grant about the fix his had from the trailer damaging it, also mine had the same damage and it was fixed so you can't even tell it was damaged.)
When I am in sandy shallow areas that I must navigate through, I make sure I am going slow and just tap the throttle in and out of gear. I only stay in gear for at most 1-2 seconds when the depth gauge reads 2-3 foot water. This prevents me from getting drivin onto the sandbar so I can't get off, and also prevents too much damage if the prop does actually hit something. When the shore is rocky, it is a sorry you will have to swim to get to shore situation.

I have seen some kind of clear film (3M product) that you put on the front of cars to prevent rock chips. You might be able to put that on your keel so if you beach it won't scratch the hull. I don't know how it would hold up or if would stick under the conditions of running under water.

[Socbum]

Has any one ever used a Keel Guard?

It looks like it would protect the hull.

I have seen them advertised in Boaters World and other mags.

http://www.americanet.com/lewis/home.htm

I'm not sure what affect, if any, this would have with the wake.