Running shallow...

[Caesar]

Last weekend while running around a couple sloughs and backwater areas, I managed to hit a couple downed logs. My jon boat is perfectly fine, and my outboard seems no worse for wear. But it is a little startling to be going along feel a pretty noticeable jolt and watch the OB jump. My owners manual says the OB has a shock absorber that lets it tilt and let the obstruction pass underneath. This happened about 3 times (all at relatively slow pace) in real skinny water (less 3 feet). I know I should expect this kind of thing running that shallow, but my question is, should I be concerned about anything beyond the occasional bump in the road?

 

[Zum]

I'm not real sure what you mean.
How big is your outboard?
You can break the wreck the prop,break the skag off,tear the lower unit off,the outboard can fly right off your boat if not on tight,poke a hole in your boat...is that what yoy mean?
There are skag/prop/lower unit protecters out there,they will hurt preformance but if running in shallow rocky waters may be a wise investment.

 

[Caesar]

Let me clarify... The shallow waters I'm predominantly fishing in are silted in back water areas. I'm fishing the Mississippi river, so it's mud/silt bottom about 90% of the time I'd say. The only areas where rocks are concerned are rip rap banks along the main channel, where loads of basketball sized rock has been put in for erosion control. These area's I make plenty sure to avoid hitting with my OB. My question is, as I'm going to and fro in backwater areas that are shallow and almost entirely mud bottoms, should I be concerned about occasionally hitting tree limbs that have fallen into the water and are dang near impossible to spot? Like I said, my owners manual points out that the OB is designed to tilt up and let the obstruction pass underneath. I've got a 25 horse Johnson, and I take it slow in these areas so as to avoid/minimize any possible damages. After last weekends bumps, which did no apparent damages, I'm just curious to see if anyone else seems to have "run into" this issue... Thanks.

 

[lowe1462]

You are probably fine. Of course it would be better not to make a habit out of bumping the bottom, but as long as the motor releases no major damage should occur... normally.

Also make sure you don't suck up to much mud and block the water intakes to your motor. It sounds like this isn't a problem for you as you are more concerned about the occasional obstruction. But its something to keep in mind.

 

[Quackrstackr]

I suppose that it all depends on how hard you hit.

Eventual fatigue to your l/u housing, tilt/trim unit and even transom from shock loading may likely occur.

The transoms on boats specifically built for mud motors and surface drives are built like tanks for this very reason.

 

[Tunnels]

Do you have a shallow water setting on the motor? My 9.9 johnson has a lever so you can tilt the motor up somewhat for shallow running.

 

[Caesar]

Thanks for input guys. I'm still planning on being very cautious, but it's nice to have a little piece of mind. I think I'm just a mud motor guy at heart. Someday I hope to have that kind of money.

Side note, I just discovered there's an aluminum boat maker here in Eastern Iowa. They're called TMT and their boats are sold under the Phowler name. They're marketed to predominately to duck guys. But these things look amazing.

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[Loggerhead Mike]

i'd love to take a ride in one of those boats

dont feel bad the first time out with my o/b i hit a sunken tree and have no idea how my transom didnt rip off. the tiller almost knocked me off the seat when the motor flew up.

its one of those things you cant do anything about unless you just go at an idle the hole time

 

[Quackrstackr]

TMT went belly up.

https://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=705620&highlight=phowler

 

[Caesar]

I'm really disappointed to hear that...