|
Next: For our Florida posters...
|
| Author |
Message |
External
Since: Apr 16, 2006
Posts: 1
|
(Msg. 1) Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:55 pm
Post subject: Question - shallow water operation
Archived from groups: rec>boats (more info?)
|
|
|
I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct access to
the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is fairly
stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat I am
considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft of 36"
with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I barking up
the wrong tree?
All help greatly appreciated!
Tom |
|
| Back to top |
|
 | |
External
Since: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 1241
|
(Msg. 2) Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Imported from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Mar 08, 2006
Posts: 47
|
(Msg. 3) Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
"Who??? Me????" <WheMe2.TakeThisOut@newsfeeds.com> wrote in message
news:vdh0g.100964$oL.42433@attbi_s71...
>I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct access to
> the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is
> fairly
> stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
> familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
> looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat I am
> considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft of
> 36"
> with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
> speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I barking
> up
> the wrong tree?
>
> All help greatly appreciated!
>
> Tom
You should not run above the "trimmed up" position. The drive will not go
up any further than that unless you use the "trailer"
switch position and raise it all the way as they all have a "trim limiter"
switch to let you know. Dan >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Feb 22, 2005
Posts: 99
|
(Msg. 4) Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:52 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
Who??? Me???? writes:
> How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low speed on a sterndrive?
I routinely run with the tips of the prop rotating up above the water, such
as when approaching the ramp. You're kind of dog-paddling, and the
steering is unresponsive and unstable (the thrust vector pointing acutely
up in the air), but you can move that way, and it beats dragging the skeg.
On my Mercruiser Alpha unit, that's all the way up in the trailering
position, at the upper limit. >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 60
|
(Msg. 5) Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 1:55 am
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
If the prop is not out of the water and you go gently on the throttle, it
will get you to deeper water easy enough so you can trim down. Too much
throttle with the drive way up and you'll cavitate and go nowhere fast.
Good luck with the new place!
--Mike
"Who??? Me????" <WheMe2.TakeThisOut@newsfeeds.com> wrote in message
news:vdh0g.100964$oL.42433@attbi_s71...
>I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct access to
> the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is
> fairly
> stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
> familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
> looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat I am
> considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft of
> 36"
> with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
> speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I barking
> up
> the wrong tree?
>
> All help greatly appreciated!
>
> Tom >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Sep 28, 2005
Posts: 20
|
(Msg. 6) Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:55 am
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
Who??? Me???? wrote:
> I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct access to
> the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is fairly
> stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
> familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
> looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat I am
> considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft of 36"
> with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
> speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I barking up
> the wrong tree?
>
> All help greatly appreciated!
>
> Tom
Given the parameters you provided, I would be more inclined to go with
an outboard. You should be able to raise it up a bit more than a stern
drive, and still maintain reasonable control and maneuverability. >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Mar 24, 2004
Posts: 243
|
(Msg. 7) Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 11:55 am
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
And, of course, we know you realize that as long as that driive or lower
unit is tilted up close to maximum you won't be able to go much above idle
speed, right? Depending upon the distance to deeper water you could be
spending a lot of time going very slowly.
If the entire area where you intend to boat is pretty shallow you may want
to consider a boat/motor combo designed to operate in shallow water. For
those types 30 inches of water is the norm.
Butch
"DownTime" <DownTime.RemoveThis@SpammersMustDie.com> wrote in message
news:3%r0g.116870$_c.102571@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> Who??? Me???? wrote:
>> I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct access
>> to
>> the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is
>> fairly
>> stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
>> familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
>> looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat I
>> am
>> considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft of
>> 36"
>> with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
>> speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I barking
>> up
>> the wrong tree?
>>
>> All help greatly appreciated!
>>
>> Tom
> Given the parameters you provided, I would be more inclined to go with an
> outboard. You should be able to raise it up a bit more than a stern drive,
> and still maintain reasonable control and maneuverability. >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Dec 06, 2005
Posts: 191
|
(Msg. 8) Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
I idle around in shallows with the prop partially in the trailer position.
It's about a slow walk but if you just have to cover a few hundred feet.
"Who??? Me????" <WheMe2.TakeThisOut@newsfeeds.com> wrote in message
news:vdh0g.100964$oL.42433@attbi_s71...
>I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct access to
> the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is
> fairly
> stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
> familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
> looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat I am
> considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft of
> 36"
> with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
> speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I barking
> up
> the wrong tree?
>
> All help greatly appreciated!
>
> Tom >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Mar 08, 2006
Posts: 47
|
(Msg. 9) Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:48 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
"Richard J Kinch" <kinch DeleteThis @truetex.com> wrote in message
news:Xns97A78DF6B8D3someconundrum@216.196.97.131...
> Who??? Me???? writes:
>
>> How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low speed on a sterndrive?
>
> I routinely run with the tips of the prop rotating up above the water,
> such
> as when approaching the ramp. You're kind of dog-paddling, and the
> steering is unresponsive and unstable (the thrust vector pointing acutely
> up in the air), but you can move that way, and it beats dragging the skeg.
> On my Mercruiser Alpha unit, that's all the way up in the trailering
> position, at the upper limit.
Better have your u-joints checked often. That's why they have the trim
limit switch. Dan >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Feb 22, 2005
Posts: 99
|
(Msg. 10) Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 11:04 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
Danlw writes:
>> On my Mercruiser Alpha unit, that's all the way up in the trailering
>> position, at the upper limit.
>
> Better have your u-joints checked often. That's why they have the trim
> limit switch.
Isn't that the limit I mean? >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Apr 17, 2006
Posts: 1
|
(Msg. 11) Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:55 am
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 1253
|
(Msg. 12) Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
"Who??? Me????" <WhoMe2.DeleteThis@newsfeeds.com> wrote in message
news:H9F0g.687497$084.173174@attbi_s22...
> Thanks to everyone for all the great input!
I'll point out again (since someone else already did) that steering will
fall under the heading of "Is this steering wheel actually doing anything?"
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the level of unresponsiveness by
practicing in deeper water with nobody around. >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Apr 20, 2004
Posts: 431
|
(Msg. 13) Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:06 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
Richard J Kinch wrote:
> Danlw writes:
>
>
>>>On my Mercruiser Alpha unit, that's all the way up in the trailering
>>>position, at the upper limit.
>>
>>Better have your u-joints checked often. That's why they have the trim
>>limit switch.
>
>
> Isn't that the limit I mean?
It sounds like you are going past the trim range, into the tilt range,
if you are breaking the surface with the prop. This is VERY hard on the
u-joints.
Rob >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Apr 20, 2004
Posts: 431
|
(Msg. 14) Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:13 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
DownTime wrote:
> Who??? Me???? wrote:
>
>> I just bought a place with a dock on a creek that provides direct
>> access to
>> the river. The creek is wide, 700 feet or so, and the water level is
>> fairly
>> stable and doesn't drop below about 30" at the end of the dock. I am not
>> familiar with shallow water operation of a sterndrive motor, and I am
>> looking at purchasing a different boat with the sterndrive. The boat
>> I am
>> considering has a draft of 18" with the drive up, but a maximum draft
>> of 36"
>> with the drive down. How far can you safely trim up the outdrive at low
>> speed on a sterndrive? Does this sound like it can work or am I
>> barking up
>> the wrong tree?
>>
>> All help greatly appreciated!
>>
>> Tom
>
> Given the parameters you provided, I would be more inclined to go with
> an outboard. You should be able to raise it up a bit more than a stern
> drive, and still maintain reasonable control and maneuverability.
And the use of a jack plate will allow increased control at the low
speeds, too...
Rob >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
External
Since: Feb 22, 2005
Posts: 99
|
(Msg. 15) Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:27 pm
Post subject: Re: Question - shallow water operation [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
trainfan1 writes:
>> Isn't that the limit I mean?
>
> It sounds like you are going past the trim range, into the tilt range,
> if you are breaking the surface with the prop. This is VERY hard on the
> u-joints.
I see. The Alpha stern drive has two upper limits depending on the switch
applied. Nothing in my user's manual mentioned this being a problem for U-
joints. >> Stay informed about: Question - shallow water operation |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
FAQ
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
