How shallow??

[sfef84]

As some of you might know, I am in search of a boat once I can sell my robalo.

Boat would be at a dock in Laffite's and need something that I can get across to N shoreline in one piece. Im young so don't really care about getting splashed, bumped around etc.

You guys already had good suggestions from a previous thread on recommendations. HOWEVER... never being able to get into greens, karan lake and others because of my draft I ask you this...

How shallow are these places on low tide?
What kind of draft is needed to get into these places without a worry?



Being a member now for almost 8 months... Coe, I know you can drive your gatortail through a wet lawn, just saving you the time to write it HAHA

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions!

[imhammer]

Low tide into Karankawa you better be running in 8" or so. Greens is a little easier and you can get in there in 1' on winter low tides.

[WestEndAngler]

Aluminum or Fiberglass would be my first question... Shoalwater or comparable hull / draft for a shallow water fiberglass boat... Aluminum hulls, SeaArk or Boat Right Marine makes a good aluminum boat that James & I took one all over the place. A tunnel hull will help you run shallow. Pods will help you get on step faster a jack plate is a MUST!

[lurefisher]

Hammer said it right ,Karankawa is a little skinner.

[sfef84]

I was looking on craigslist and see a 17 rockport V tunnel hull and a 2000 nautico cat. Have you ever heard of these boats?

[TXSHOCKWAVE]

You should come by my shop Boat Right marine. Glen or myself would be happy to show you what BR has to offer.

here is my old scooter boat that I used to have before I bought my first GTR in 07.



here is a vid just cuttin through some marsh.

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q123/txshockwave/?action=view&current=AllPictures174-1.flv

this one is running in to the gou hole ramp

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q123/txshockwave/?action=view&current=100_0272.flv

[Baby Tran Cat]

Those are my primary spots...you need a boat that can scoot through just about anything in order to get to certain spots, especially in the winter. Also simply knowing the right routes is huge. Once you know the how to's you can get by I think with a 12" draft...just avoid the bad spots.

As you see from my user name I have a tran cat. I would suggest a cat number one because these hulls force the water to the middle of the boat, giving it more rise, and keeping the water flow on the prop. I also think that a cat will have less hull slap than a flat bottom. It is a much smoother ride across the bay during choppy weather.

Coe mentioned having a jack plate as a must and I agree whole heartedly. I run a 70 hp on back which is plenty for me at 16 feet. I feel that too much more would weigh me down too much BUT I know there are folks on this site who also run tran cats with more hp on back. I typically set my plate to 5 in the skinny stuff and can still smoke across pretty quick.

One last thing...I have the center console raised up with a casting platform off the seat. Standing up that high allows me to see much more and now I am spoiled.

So as you can see I do love my cat and would suggest that if you want to run the skinny stuff...

[imhammer]

That is pretty sweet TXSHOCKWAVE.......Great Video. I may stop by and see you at Boat Right. I live right behind there. I really need a jack plate for my flatbottom, but don't want to shell out the cash.
Like BTC said, if you know the routes, you can stay out of the bad stuff most of the time.