Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
skinny water
I recently did a drift on one of my local Rivers. A River/run that I'd not done below 5 feet, which for most is as low as they'd go.
At 5 feet and drifting with a front seater in place, we've never had a bang or bump.
Before heading out to drift the same River this past Sunday, I checked the gauge. 4.7. I was drifting solo and thought maybe without front seater I could take it on. 4 trailers confirmed some were doing the same.
I saw only two boats on the drift. One of the boats had 3 guys, the other 2.
In places that I thought I'd find problems, none. In places that I thought would be a breeze, problems. One big bang, no damage.
A question if your still with me. In skinny water and having someone with you in the front, where would you prefer they be sitting, a bit forward or more towards the center?
thanks,
mitchell
At 5 feet and drifting with a front seater in place, we've never had a bang or bump.
Before heading out to drift the same River this past Sunday, I checked the gauge. 4.7. I was drifting solo and thought maybe without front seater I could take it on. 4 trailers confirmed some were doing the same.
I saw only two boats on the drift. One of the boats had 3 guys, the other 2.
In places that I thought I'd find problems, none. In places that I thought would be a breeze, problems. One big bang, no damage.
A question if your still with me. In skinny water and having someone with you in the front, where would you prefer they be sitting, a bit forward or more towards the center?
thanks,
mitchell
Views: 103
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on
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Trim your boat so it has neutral balance in the water. Level front to back and side to side. As a general rule the people in the boat should be as low as possible and as near the center as possible for best performance; however, I think you are asking if moving the person in the boat will change the depth that the boat drafts.
The answer is no. The depth of the draft is dependent on the displacement (weight of your boat, gear, and people). If the boat is properly trimmed the draft will be the same no mater where in the boat they are. The performance won't be the same but the draft will.
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Permalink Reply by Robb Grubb on
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Mitchell,
Ironically, I too experienced "skinny water" this past weekend. My Dad and I went and ran from Frizzel down to Bruckhart on the McKenzie in my 16 foot Don Hill. Last spring I replaced my UHMW bottom with 20 oz glass on the bottom. For 14 years, I have been happy with UHMW but decided to go with glass this time around after the working screws rotted out the first bottom.
It was my Dad's turn to row and he decided to support the "Rib Building Department" in a little class 2 riffle we both have ran dozens of times. Somehow two little "sharpy" rocks were strategically placed between the two boulders we parted and the #5 and # 8 ribs were split as was the plywood pushed up.
I guess all that mumbo jumbo you hear about rivers changing from season to season is true! or my Dad is going blind...
I degress, regarding passenger loading, my boat has a sliding seat up front like most which is pretty handy. Obviously back for two passengers and forward if desired for one. If running technical water, I try to make sure there is plenty of "oar sweep" room between the oar handle and the passengers, just in case I loose one or have to move forward for some reason.
Even with one passenger, I like to move them back to the center or most rearward travel position available to keep the weight in the center of the boat. This allows quicker turning, more rocker out of the water and more leg room for them.
I am just glad that I am not the only one who supports the "rib building department". I will be spending the rest of the week grinding, sanding, replacing, cussing and epoxying...
Cheers,
Robb
www.RiverTraining.net
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