How shallow can I go?

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?

Being 40 years old I imagine it has some sort of scum line on the hull. Just measure from there to the keel.

Where are you fishing?
Running aground in the bay is just something you do.

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

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.

2x4's are your friend!

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.

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.

Electric winch would be cheating....

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

It’s the two inches to get to the back lake that’s two feet deep.

But how was the fishing...

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.

If you ain't been aground, you ain't been nowhere! IslandJim

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.