Members Donn Posted February 26, 2010 Members Posted February 26, 2010 I'm curious if you would be alright using a normal outboard (w/ a prop) on the Meramec around the Valley Park and / or Fenton area. Obviously you would have to be more careful with a prop as opposed to a jet, but I would think you'd be ok. Those of you with experience on the Meramec in that area, please let me know what you think. Thank you.
Al Agnew Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 There are times during the low water of summer when you'll find a few riffles that could be really tricky to run with a prop. Most of the river in that area is slow and reasonably runnable. Your worst obstacles would probably be sunken logs in slow water.
Kicknbass Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 I'm curious if you would be alright using a normal outboard (w/ a prop) on the Meramec around the Valley Park and / or Fenton area. Obviously you would have to be more careful with a prop as opposed to a jet, but I would think you'd be ok. Those of you with experience on the Meramec in that area, please let me know what you think. Thank you. What size motor? If your running a small motor like a 25, you will be fine. Just slow down and grind through the shoals. We use to run small motors on the river all the time. Anything larger and your at risk of tearing up a lower unit. " Too many hobbies to work" - "Must work to eat and play"
Members Donn Posted February 28, 2010 Author Members Posted February 28, 2010 What size motor? If your running a small motor like a 25, you will be fine. Just slow down and grind through the shoals. We use to run small motors on the river all the time. Anything larger and your at risk of tearing up a lower unit. I have a 90hp 2 stroke with power trim on a 18' 8 degree modified V aluminum boat; I have a skeg guard on the lower unit and would be running trimmed / tilted up in the shallows, and otherwise slow and cautious as I'm used to running the bigger rivers (MO an Mississippi) in the area, however have navigated a lot of shallow water in the bigger rivers while duck/goose hunting. The trim definitely gets a workout.
sms_alum Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 If you put in at George Winter park you should be fine. There is plenty to run down stream as long as you use common sense. I have a similar size boat and have never had any issues with that part of the river unless the water level was down.
Kicknbass Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 I have a 90hp 2 stroke with power trim on a 18' 8 degree modified V aluminum boat; I have a skeg guard on the lower unit and would be running trimmed / tilted up in the shallows, and otherwise slow and cautious as I'm used to running the bigger rivers (MO an Mississippi) in the area, however have navigated a lot of shallow water in the bigger rivers while duck/goose hunting. The trim definitely gets a workout. Like SMS said. Put in at winter park and you'll be fine in higher water. If the water gets low, be careful. I'm not that familiar w/ the water up stream until you get to hwy 141. There is a shoal at 141 that you likely won't be able to go above. Take care. " Too many hobbies to work" - "Must work to eat and play"
Members Donn Posted March 9, 2010 Author Members Posted March 9, 2010 Well I made it out this weekend and put in just downstream of the 141 bridge in Valley Park (nice new boat ramp) and was able to go upstream quite a ways; I made it up past Castlewood before turning around. I didn't have any luck fishing, but it was nice to get out on the river. I had to be careful b/c it is definitely is shallow in spots, but did fine and my prop is still in one piece. Like SMS said. Put in at winter park and you'll be fine in higher water. If the water gets low, be careful. I'm not that familiar w/ the water up stream until you get to hwy 141. There is a shoal at 141 that you likely won't be able to go above. Take care.
Kicknbass Posted March 11, 2010 Posted March 11, 2010 Well now for the most important question. Did you catch any fish? " Too many hobbies to work" - "Must work to eat and play"
Members Donn Posted March 11, 2010 Author Members Posted March 11, 2010 Well now for the most important question. Did you catch any fish? No, only threw a few casts, did more exploring than anything. Next time I go I'll concentrate more on fishing. Any of you have any tips on what type of water (fast / slow, or deep shallow) I should focus on for Large mouth? Smallies?
Gatorjet Posted March 12, 2010 Posted March 12, 2010 I have been told that when the water gets low, the rapids at the 141 bridge isn't a problem with a jet, but below the bridge it is just a big mud flat, and extremely shallow. Is this Correct? I don't mind bouncing the Gator off a few rocks or logs but it really sucks to get stuck! Real men go propless!
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