Newbie Question

[bmoore3]

Hey everyone, and thanks for future replies. I'm very limited when it comes to being a Captain of a boat! I've operated a few electric trolling motors, but never an outboard. I live in the Western Maryland area and very close to Deep Creek Lake, for those of you who don't know this is lake thats 3900 acres with 65 miles of shoreline that receives an incredible amount of boating traffic from Memorial day to Labor day and is also prone to some wind. I've recently purchased a used aluminium V hull which is a 1988 Sears gamefisher 61355 that is almost 14 feet long and has a beam of 63 inches with a cutout short transom. I found a heck of deal on a new 15hp tohatsu the other day and pulled the trigger on it. My question to all that are much more knowledgable than me, would this boat be safe on larger bodies of water like a Deep Creek? No way in the world would I operate this boat on that lake when tourist season begins, but for the off times, and at night would I be safe for fishing purposes?

 

[Silvertip]

Safety on any body of water involving any size watercraft begins with knowing your limitations and understanding the capabilities of the vessel and the capabilities of the captain. By your own admission, you are not experienced with power boats so it's difficult to assess whether or not you or the boat are safe. It's a good choice to not initially plan to be out on big water during peak tourist periods. Attend a safe boating class and then I suggest you get accustomed to the boat and motor on much smaller bodies of water. Once you have the two mastered you will be better prepared to for the multitude of surprise situations that go along with boating. It is imperative that you fully understand the engine and how to keep it in proper operating condition.

 

[firstcatch]

Safety on any body of water involving any size watercraft begins with knowing your limitations and understanding the capabilities of the vessel and the capabilities of the captain. By your own admission, you are not experienced with power boats so it's difficult to assess whether or not you or the boat are safe. It's a good choice to not initially plan to be out on big water during peak tourist periods. Attend a safe boating class and then I suggest you get accustomed to the boat and motor on much smaller bodies of water. Once you have the two mastered you will be better prepared to for the multitude of surprise situations that go along with boating. It is imperative that you fully understand the engine and how to keep it in proper operating condition.

This is a great answer and just want to add a few things. You should have some basic safety equipment on board and make sure you have an anchor and vhf radio.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

The best advice I can give you is to take a good recognized boaters course as said above, absolutely take a course.. Here in Canada anyone running any powered boat no mater size is required to take a test and pass, even that course that can be done online is not enough in my opinion, there are better courses to take after that. That is a very small boat. Know what safety equipment is required for your state. Always check the weather forecasts for that area first. As far as limitations that's a question only you will soon be able to answer. If you can talk to a regular boater of the body of you are going out on many questions may be answered for you such as what to look for on that particular water. A local marina will also be able to give you a few tips. Like I said you have a small boat and it will have many limitations, the thing I see most as far as poor safe practice on 14' tinnys is being overloaded with equipment and people.

Congrats on the new to you boat and please, safety first, second, safety next..

edit: operating at night in a tinny would not be advisable until you know that boat and body of water really well. I would rather boat on a busy lake when I can see rather then at night when I can't see. We used to night fish but that was when I was young and invincible.

 

[Woodonglass]

Also, get a Friend that is Boat Savvy and have them ride with you for the first couple of outings. Make SURE to have PFD's AT ALL Times. Never get more than 50 yds from shore the first couple of times out until you're 100% certain about the boat and motor. Totally understand the Unloading and Loading procedures for the boat. Practice, Practice, Practice all the procedures associated with this. Make sure and have TOOLS with you on the Water!!!! Make sure someone ALWAYS knows you are on the water and when you Plan to be Back on Shore. Always Make sure the Drain Plug is IN!!!!

 

[bmoore3]

Guys thank you so much for the sound advice! It is very much appreciated! Being new to something is always a scary ordeal, and not having the answers I needed before going out has sent me into a nervous frenzy. I practice safety first with everything I do, firearms, wading a cold trout stream, my job. Its an absolute must that I keep myself and passengers safe regardless. I'm lucky enough to live in an area that has a smaller nearby lake of 952 acres and doesn't have the traffic like a Deep Creek Lake. This is where I'll absolutely do 90 percent of my boating, and where I'll learn how to use an outboard. I have expierence with the boat itself on a 240 acre electric only lake, but I'm sure the bigger the lake, the bigger the waves, bigger boats and never using a gas powered outboard before that changes things dramatically. Some safety gear I do have is navigation lights, two anchor's(anchor mates), a drift sock which is awesome, several pfd's, a fire extinguisher and I plan on purchasing an air horn in the near future. I'm decently savvy when it comes to small engines, knowing what is required for an engine to run(Air, fuel, spark) Outboards are a different animal for sure so I'd be sure to add some tools to the tool kit that came with the outboard. Thanks again for all your replies!

 

[89 resorter]

I'm very familiar with Deep Creek and agree with your concerns learning to pilot a 14 footer during the tourist season. We always joke that its as if all the people on Deep Creek meet in the middle at bout 9am then go full throttle in different directions all maintain the chaos all day long. I guess that's why some time ago they put size restrictions on boats and time restrictions of when jet skis can operator. I personally prefer nearby Youghiogeny lake which has many boats your size running all day (and night). The lake is narrower and for the most part, boats keep to their starboard shoreline much like driving a car.

 

[bmoore3]

89 resorter, the area sure is rich for boating expirences. I have thought of the Yough, putting in friendsville actually would only be about a 35 minute drive for me. Also Jennings Randolph Lake gives me another option to avoid the absurd crowds at Deep Creek. I will not in no way launch my boat at DCL during tourist time. I want relaxing, safe, fun expierence, not the chaos DCL gives you. In your opinion (after I gain some expirence of course) since you know the area, and DCL, that I could during the off season boat safely, staying in the coves, taking it slow and responsible so I could fish for the sought after bounty that DCL produces?

Also its sad that DNR doesnt do more about the jet ski's on DCL. I think Maryland DNR is amazing compared to what WV has (grew up there) but, There are laws in place for the PWC that are not enforced!. Thats why I will avoid this lake for the most part.... I'm more interested in early spring and late fall for that lake.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Sounds like you have the idea ​get comfortable with your set up and then you'll know when the time is right for the big water.

For years I only boated/fished 12' - 16' tiller boats on 250-800 acre lakes with no hp restriction but no wake speed limits. It wasn't until I got a 25hp for my 16' and was very comfortable in my abilities that I even had the urge to get out on the local big lake. After the first trip out to the big lake on a busy weekend day I learned quickly that off days were a better suit for me and my smaller tiller boat on that lake.

Best planning tip I got is to figure out where you want to be on the lake and find the closest boat ramp but after Googling Deep Creek it looks like that strategy will be limited as I didn't see many. Perhaps only one boat ramp?

 

[bmoore3]

Yes only one boat ramp, makes for an adventure when people don't know how to back up a trailer, I've seen waits over an hour for people to launch or retrieve. That part is one part I am confident in as I can back up anything! Near that one boat ramp, closer to the state park bridge is a shallow, narrow area where I believe is a no wake area. Could never clear the bridge back there in a pontoon, but wouldn't be any trouble for the tinny. Probably would spend a lot of time in this area regardless If I had a 22 footer I'd still fish this area!

DCL is a tourist trap! and thats ok, to each their own, but for me, and my passengers It'll be a different body of water when that place is rockin like the pacific.

 

[KD4UPL]

I boated on Deep Creek once in my 20' boat with a V8. Never again. It's crowded, choppy, busy, and I had to pay $30 to get in the state park and launch the boat.
I personally wouldn't want to be on that lake with a boat that small unless it was winter or night time or something. I found boating on larger lakes like Lake Anna and Smith Mountain Lake, and Raystown Lake in PA to be more enjoyable with more room and smoother water. You might give those a try.

 

[kcassells]

Lots of great answers for you here. Use all the above and in particular as said already:
A boat smart friend
Boat courses
Coast gaurd internet classes are available too.
Take it slow and have fun.

 

[goatnad]

Wow. I wish they had lakes that size here in ms. 3900 acres? Holy cow! I would be gone for weeks on a lake that size. 900+ acres is still large for here. Most lakes here are 100 to 250 acres. You lucky dog.