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How shallow can I go? #13909052 03/03/21 01:24 PM
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BAR Offline OP
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I have an older boat that I can't find any specs on. It is an '81 McKee Southporter 18.5. There is no jack plate for the outboard. I've been in water around 2-feet but I am afraid to go any less. Is there a way to take a measurement or some written info out there about draft? What about consideration for the load? The USCG plate says it'll hold a lot more weight than I put in it. How does that factor in?

Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13909063 03/03/21 01:32 PM
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Being 40 years old I imagine it has some sort of scum line on the hull. Just measure from there to the keel.

Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13909177 03/03/21 02:28 PM
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Where are you fishing?
Running aground in the bay is just something you do.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: Pat Goff] #13909262 03/03/21 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Pat Goff
Where are you fishing?
Running aground in the bay is just something you do.


Or on any random lake if you are me......

Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13909370 03/03/21 04:28 PM
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I guess I really need a airboat. Have progressively gotten shallower running boats. My current jet scooter is perfectly happy running in less than two inches of water. It won’t go in one inch. Guess how I figured that out?

Had to drag it sixty yards to get to four inches to get up and going again. Not fun by yourself. But it’s part of the deal.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13909378 03/03/21 04:36 PM
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2x4's are your friend!

Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13909459 03/03/21 05:39 PM
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What is really a friend.
I carry a small come along. I use a mud anchor and can stab it 15’ out and just winch it along even on dry ground. It’s slow but steady. Gives you time to reconsider your decisions.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13909855 03/03/21 11:03 PM
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lol thats awesome....I actually have and electric winch and when stuck bad I will go get an axle shaft and pound it into the muck to pull on if I nothing is close enough.

Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13910069 03/04/21 01:45 AM
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Electric winch would be cheating....
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Seadrift TX
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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: Pat Goff] #13911006 03/04/21 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Pat Goff
I guess I really need a airboat. Have progressively gotten shallower running boats. My current jet scooter is perfectly happy running in less than two inches of water. It won’t go in one inch. Guess how I figured that out?

Had to drag it sixty yards to get to four inches to get up and going again. Not fun by yourself. But it’s part of the deal.


Ohh come on now... what sort of fish are there in 2 inches of water!!!!

Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13911033 03/04/21 09:28 PM
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It’s the two inches to get to the back lake that’s two feet deep.


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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: Pat Goff] #13912767 03/06/21 03:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Pat Goff
Electric winch would be cheating....
[Linked Image]


But how was the fishing...


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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13913245 03/06/21 05:28 PM
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Maybe this makes it easier for the unwashed to get...
Sight fishing redfish is what we do. You gotta get to the lakes to get them, and most of the cuts to get in the lakes is pretty dicey if you can't run through snot.

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Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13913300 03/06/21 06:53 PM
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If you ain't been aground, you ain't been nowhere! IslandJim


I'm an Eighth Day Adventist. On the Eighth Day, God went fishing!
Re: How shallow can I go? [Re: BAR] #13913419 03/06/21 10:04 PM
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If you have a proper flats rig navigating gets pretty simple. Dark bottom? You’re good. Also know a wave can only be half the water depth. 6” wave is a foot of water. I can run just about anything but oil slick shoal water, so it’s pretty easy to see where you don’t belong.

I can’t tell you how many pot lickers I’ve pulled off sand bars because “you ran through there”. Gotta know your equipment.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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