Boating on a River vs a Lake

[ssoper]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I have been fishing and waterfowl hunting on the Mississippi river for a lot of years. As others have stated watch the river levels, and be especially careful in the back waters. Lots of lower unit killers laying in wait. :facepalm:

 

[nlain]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I live on a tidal creek in SE Ga, I cannot get my 18' boat in or out at dead low tide, I get around that by planning trips out around low tide. I have been to Lake Murray in SC, and several in Fl. Lakes can get choppy with lots of boats and sometimes wind but usually it is different from rivers. I can put in out of my back yard and run to the Intercoastal waterway, usually cross the sound and go the beach in the inside of the barrier islands. I used to make the same trip in a 16' bowrider, always checked the water conditions before I made the trip, some days I stayed home or at least in the smaller part of the river. My standard trip is about an hour each way, I always check the weather and watch the weather when out there, no place to hide if a thunder storm comes up. I can go out on glass smooth water and come back in 2 to 4 foot washing machine chop. Get paper charts or download from internet for free and view them with a free viewer, get a depthfinder/fishfinder, get electronic charts for it, study them and the water, sand bars and mud banks can be most anywhere. Yes there are larger boats that will wake you and sometimes there is not enough room to get away from them so you need to learn how to handle them. There is a freshwater river close to me that the 5hp boat would work well in West of I95 and your 18' would work well on the East side of I95, unless it is flooding, then stay off due too debris as mentioned above. Respect the water, learn how to navigate it, either a boating course or find an old salt that will go with you to show you the ropes, you will be fine.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I'm hoping for a gulf trip someday Thalasso. We're hopefully going to lock through for the first time this year for an overnight Pittsburgh trip.

Watermann, been catching some of those coast guard rescues on the columbia . I never knew the Columbia could be so treacherous!

Starting at the Montgomery lock you will need at least 100 ft of rope. They are not floating pins from there on up the Ohio.You will need enough rope so you can tie on two pins.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I grew up boating on a small(ish) man made lake in Bancroft ON. Lots of stumps as they never cleared the river area they flooded to make the lake. You hit something, well it was soft lumber so it gave.

When that area closed up to us (became a time share) we moved to my uncle's place on the St Lawrence River. What a game changer! Unmarked rocky shoals abound, navigation markers, lakers/ocean going vessels, LARGE speedboats (40+ ft territory), locals who knew where the shoals were and flew through. I'm not ashamed to admit I left lower unit and prop paint in a few spots....and that was using a nav map and a depth finder. My uncle left part of his skeg in the river, he thought he cleared a shoal, well he did when his prop pushed him over it! I switched to GPS on my new boat and you still find things that aren't mapped. Biggest issue is floating debris which has already been mentioned. Spring time is the worst, right after ice out. But its bad on the lakes at the same time.

Best advice, take it slow, get a map (if available), and have some fun. We bought boats to use them, not be garage queens

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

A river is a endless sense of adventure if its large enough, another Columbia river boater here and the diversity it provide's is endlsess. From scenery that is breathtaking to moving sand bars and floating debri's that are just as breathtaking.In the end it takes constant vigilance to be safe and taking it all in is very rewarding at the end of the day.......and then there's the sea flea's a true spectators sport at time's....it is absolutely halarious to watch them try to jump a barge's wake plowing down the river.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

-if going down river from launch, plan on a long ride back at high rpm. you'll cover a lot of ground when going with the current.
-preferred destination is up river from launch. that way if ya break down, at least you'll float back to your launch site.
-have your boat in max good tune up. ya break down on the river, your at it's mersey. better have a good anchor on board too so as to be able to at least try to stop you down river run.
-never anchor from the stern on a river

Ziggy covered most of the big issues. These were the ones in my head before I read his post. Definitely make sure that you have twice the fuel that you used to go up river that you used to go down river. The current sucks fuel out of your tank. For the first time and until you get your bearings, I also recommend heading up river.

Things are different but if you've got good common sense, it can be a lot of fun.

 

[79Renken]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I boat on Old Hickory Lake which is a dammed portion of the Cumberland River near Nashville. Very close to home and we love it... but one has to be very careful. As others have said river boating can be a hazard with debris (especially after large storms) as well as sand bars. I find I have to watch the river channel markers very closely, but since this is a lake due to a dam there are many wonderful coves that may not have markers or have spots with stumps from before the dam was built.

Compared to lakes in my area one has to be more cautious on my river/lake, but as long as you are cautious it's not a problem.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I'd agree with the "it depends on what river" crowd. I've run in my area of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation Channel a few times. It's a river, but due to it being controlled by the CoE and almost exclusively used for barge traffic, it's pretty consistent for depth and such, no tidal effects. There is a good bit of debris, but nothing too terrible unless we've had a lot of rain. Most of the launch areas I've been to are actually in small estuaries off of the main channel, so the current isn't much of a factor.

 

[garbageguy]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

Many good point made above. "River" includes a wide variety of water bodies and conditions. For instance, boating on the Upper Niagara River (technically, it is an isthmus) is great, as long as you're prepared and are always vigilant. Depending on wind and current, you can be pushed either upstream or downstream; Know the marking system (red on right when returning doesn't always apply); study the area first (google earth/maps is a good start), charts are a must in some locations - study it if you're not familiar. Someone posted about warning signs - very important. In the Upper Niagara, if you miss a certain set of signs, and ignore the mist, by the time you hear the roar of the rapids it's too late...

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

where I boat above dam4 on the Potomac, by early summer folks have floating jugs tied to most of the submerged hazards, if you spot something that has no jug marking it, stop and tie one to it, this may be considered littering so don't get caught, it may save someone from getting hurt

 

[southkogs]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I'm another that has to ask what river. The Mississippi and the Colorado rivers share the title "river" but have nothing else in common.

Kinda' the theme of a thread like this. Someone above mentioned Old Hickory Lake here in Nashville ... Percy Priest is a "lake" by title, but truly and impound: dammed up river. Totally different than Old Hickory, or the Tennessee River.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

a lake is a body of water formed when a river or stream is dammed, natural or man made, where I boat is a river that has been dammed man made but is still called a river, had a spring and wet weather stream fed lake where I used to live, it was dammed, at 5 acres I would call it a pond, a pond I've been told is just standing water due to land below the water table, I also boat on raystown lake which is actually Juniata river that's been dammed. its actually quite confusing not to mention what qualifies as a sea or ocean:facepalm:

 

[Buh-Bye]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

A lot of good comments on here. Good question on what river. Although, I didn't have a particular river in mind when asking the question. However, I do think it would be great to take the intercoastal north some day and circle down the Mississippi (in a bigger boat).

Thanks for the good feedback. Keep it coming if there is more.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I'm another that has to ask what river. The Mississippi and the Colorado rivers share the title "river" but have nothing else in common.

They both have water in them. Both have water that is moving.

 

[garbageguy]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

A lot of good comments on here. Good question on what river. Although, I didn't have a particular river in mind when asking the question. However, I do think it would be great to take the intercoastal north some day and circle down the Mississippi (in a bigger boat).

The Great Loop? Sign me up.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

The Great Loop? Sign me up.

Really? Here is a little read for ya.



For Cruising America's Great Loop

Go or No Go" Your Great Loop boat restrictions:





1.) Your boat must be able to clear a 19' 1" fixed bridge.

This means, after
taking off or taking down, any removable objects on your boat such as; Bimini, Masts,
Antennas, etc. Your boat's super-structure must be able to pass under a fixed
bridge between Chicago and the Illinois River with a height above the water of 19' 1".
There is no alternative waterway route around this bridge.

2.) Your boat must have a draft of less than 6 feet.



3.) Fuel - your boat must have a minimum fuel range of at least 250 miles.
This is the farthest distance between fuel stops if you take the Tennessee-
Tombigbee route. So, unless you plan on carrying additional fuel in jerry cans, your boat’s fuel tank(s) capacity must allow you a cruising range of at least 250 statute miles.
NOTE: (optional route) If you plan to cruise the Lower Mississippi River route
from Cairo to New Orleans, your "diesel powered" boat will need a cruising range
of 376 miles.



Your comfort both inside and outside is critical



Length - between 28 to 36 feet is as good as it gets for couples. This is big enough for comfort, but not too big to be

Unsafe or excessively expensive. Singles or "back packer" types can do it in smaller boats, and those that have the bigger budgets can do
long term cruising expenses..

2.) Height (above the water line) - you vessel's super-structure (with mast, bimini, antennas down)

must be able to clear a 19' 1" fixed RR bridge in order to avoid
turning the Great Loop into a Great U-turn. If you can clear 17 feet you can cruise right through downtown Chicago.

If you can clear 15' 6" you will have totally unrestricted
cruising on the Great Loop, both in the USA and Canada's Champlain Route and
Heritage Canals.

Depth (below the water line) - The Cruising Guides will tell you - that you can do
the Loop with a 6' draft. Maybe you can, but I (personally) wouldn't even try it. Less
draft is better - much better. I've run aground twice on the AICW with a 3' 6" draft (this
is why I always cruise on a rising tide). Your draft must be less than 5 feet on the
Champlain Route and to cruise the Canada's Heritage Canals. Other than that, the less
draft you have, the more worry free and relaxed you will be..

Fresh Water capacity - It depends on how often you want to stop and get water.
Usually, 5 days worth will be about perfect - you will probably go ashore more often then
that anyway. If your plans include boating the Lower Mississippi, you'll have to stretch
your water to last 10 days (maybe more depending on weather).

Holding Tank capacity - guys need 9 gallons, girls need 900 gallons. (lol) Both
fresh water capacity and holding tank capacity will depend much on your lifestyle, type of
boat, and individuals aboard. If your boat has a shower, couples will need a 300 gallon
water tank. Your holding tank should be at least 30 gallons.





Electrical Power - depends on your amenities aboard. We recommend two - 30
amp versus one 50 amp. In addition, you will need a 30 amp female to 15 amp male
reducer).







Top-side and Deck –

We highly suggest vessels with unobstructed walk-a-rounds
with flat, clear, easy access from Bow to Stern. For working docks & Locks, the flatter
and wider the walkways, the better. You will pass through over 100 Locks on your
journey around the Great Loop



Boat size: In our experience with both power and sail, and with sailboats, cruisers and trawlers. . . We have found a vessel in the 28' to 36' range (for couples) is about as good as it gets. After 36' it gets much more expensive and difficult to handle. Smaller is not only more economical, it is safer and easier to handle.

Trawlers: Are very popular (if not the most popular) vessels for cruising the Great Loop.
The main reason for this is they provide the most living a-board space and comfort of any boat of comparable size. If you are cruising on a budget, a small (full displacement hull) Trawler with a small single engine offers the very best in comfort and amenities, as well as economy.

Cruisers: Live a-board size powerboats such as Cruisers and semi-displacement hull Trawlers (and any other vessels capable of planning) will be your very most expensive type vessel to take around the Great Loop. These vessels simply were not designed for fuel economy, nor were they designed for slow speed. For an example, years ago, a cruise down the Erie Canal (at 10mph and less) in my twin-engine 32' Chris Craft Cruiser, cost me $200 a day in fuel, and that was long before gas reached even $3.00 a gallon

 

[ziggy]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

Just an FYI: a barge underway can take a half mile or more to bring to a stop.

and i'll add that the barge skipper most likely can't see you if your close to them (maybe even when your not to close to them too). they won't be able to change course if your in trouble near them.

The best advice I can give is STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

yep, i agree with that advise and do my best to abide by it.

a good place to go for info on bouys and markers is chapmans seamanship and boat handling.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

Sometimes true, lots of times the Mississippi has little or no moving water above St. Louis. Oh wait, you didn't really care about that, you thought it was a chance to make a negative remark aimed at me. Pfftt.... try harder.

Austin, I was actually trying to figure out why you thought they were different!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

Like haulnazz I've spent some time on the Arkansas River in the Mclellan Kerr channel except of course I'm an Arkie. It's really nice to be able to leave the house and have the barge in the water fifteen minutes later. Compared to the Columbia, Big Muddy and many others it's pretty tame, but one must still use common sense and stay in the channels to mitigate risk. The ramps are huge and really nice. Four boats can launch abreast. There's quite a bit of barge traffic, but as Bubba says it's generally pretty easily (and best) avoided. One thing that hasn't been mentioned; river cruising often means tempting sandbars. Before you decided to beach on one consider the effect the sand will have on your impeller. I usually give the throttle a good goose then kill the engine and trim up to glide in. The sandbars are generally soft enough that hull abrasion isn't a concern. When it's time to go I wade and push the boat way out before firing up again.

We have so many fantastic lakes within an hour and a half of the house we rarely go to the river, but sometimes we get a wild hair and head out after work on a Friday, cruise to a sandbar while some burgers and brats sizzle on the grill, beach at said sandbar and splash around, check out baby turtles, play horseshoes if there are others boaters there and just have a great family evening. Then we cruise back to the ramp after dark and enjoy the city lights along the river. I highly recommend it.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Boating on a River vs a Lake

I always treat a barge on the river like I treat a train on land: it ain't gonna stop for you. Just stay out of it's way!

It's really not hard to avoid barges on our stretch of the Mississippi, but on the Illinois it can be interesting sometimes, especially if you meet a barge at a narrow part of the channel and/or on a bend in the river. At worst, you just wait for the barge to clear the narrow area, then you pass it.

When pulling tubes or water skiers, we do our best to stay far away from the barges. If everyone is inside the boat, it's not really a problem.

Jim