Ohio River ??
Reply With QuoteIs it a V-hull or a flat bottom? I think I'd be more inclined to do so in a flat bottom as they are more stable and somewhat less prone to do a bow dive, even though they ride firmer. Do you have running lights? I'd not go on the Ohio without them, as even if you just plan a day trip, a dead motor, or foul weather, or a unexpected set of very high winds that causes a delay in a return trip could put you in the dark. I just under no circumastances would go the Ohio route without lights in case I got caught in the dark. Do you wear a life jacket? In a smaller boat, I'd wear it constantly. What is your plan of attack for confrontations with tugboat wakes? These can throw up 3-4 foot wakes. Do you plan to turn tail and run clear of them? Will you be patient enough to cut the engine, and wait them out? I ask this becasue on a 20 foot pontoon, I occassionally have to take the stop the motor and bob around for a while routine to be sure I don't dive the bow. How experienced a boater are you? I'd not hit the Ohio in a 12 footer with out plenty of boating experience in rough water. Do you have a trolling motor to act as a back up propulsion system if teh engine dies, and you need to get safely to the bank or out of the way of a tugboat? Are you willing to stay close to the bank, so your speed handicap will not put you in harms way trying to dodge push boats? Are you going by yourself, or with someone else, what is the safe load limit for your boat?
Not trying to discourage you, Have seen 12 footers on the Ohio before, some with closed bows, some flat bottoms, some V-hull jons. I'd say weigh the degree of risk prudently, unemotionally, decide if its really worth it, then if you decide to give it a try, do so very cautiously, equipped with all the right safety gear, and then do so in small trips until you gain more and more experience. Try a very short trip at first, just say 300 feet from the ramp and close to the bank. Experience your first tugboat wake from that distance. Experiement carefully until your are sure what you and your boat really are capable of. Always operate just short of your max capability, and short of your boats max capability, allowing a margin of error. The Ohio can throw all sorts of unexpected conditons at you, like converging tugboat wakes, unexpected fog or rain, high winds, and of course stuff drifting around that ought be on dry land like docks, and trees, etc. Man, just be careful! I've seen 12 foot jons on Cumberland in 30 mph winds who made out okay. I've also seen folks in 12 jons get into serious trouble on Taylorsville, just by getting caught between the boat wakes of boats far smaller than a tugboat.
I can't and I won't in good conscience say "yes" or "no". It's just my opionion. I'd just say know exactly what the risks are, decide if you really are prepared, and in any and all cases, exercise caution. I think I'd be happier fishing safer.
Originally Posted by BASSKING
