Boating Courtesy...my Dilemma!

[Gatorjet]

As mentioned in Phils last report on upper Taney, boating in some areas is becoming quite challenging. With no rudder, and steering being done solely by thrust from my jet, the steering response with my engine at an idle is very slow. This makes it extremely difficult to weave in and out between boats bunched up in or near the channel. Because of the weight in the back of the boat, I draw about 2' at idle, plus my intake sucks up about everything for another foot or two below that. That means that at idle or no wake speeds I have to stay in the channel like a prop boat.

I once saw an inexperienced operator of an inboard jet on Truman lake attempting to weave around many boats fishing the weir in front of the dam. He hit no less than 6 boats in about 15 minutes.

In order to get through all the boats bunched up, I need to hit the throttle some to get enough thrust to steer. This causes more wake, and jet wash from my boat.

If I keep on plane, and stay up on the pad which requires about 30mph or so, I can swing way wide of all the boats in and near the channel, and go over the shallow gravel bars near the shore. I only need inches of water, and make a normal wake. I think this is better than boaters I see with 3 or 4 people in their boat at 1/4 throttle "plowing" the stern 3' deep in the lake throwing monster rollers at everybody.

So I ask, for those on this forum, which would you prefer I do, go way around the groups of boats in the congested areas, even though I make somewhat of a wake, or try and thread my way through.

BTW, I am not the guy bumping into 6 boats at Truman. I do have better control of my boat than that. It just gets a little loud, and throws a little water when I have to goose it to steer tight, or stop.

[gotmuddy]

I personaly would say to stay on plane and out of the way. My riverboat throws less wake when on plane than when I am going 5mph shoving water.

[mosouthpaw]

im in the "little wake as possible" camp. Id rather fish and wave at you then grab hold of somethign solid as you putt on by then wave a finger while im trying to hold on..

[gary2400]

I was at Lilleys fishing off the dock for relaxation just waiting on dark for my favorite time below the dam when a gator came from up the lake and pulled into the dock. That's some sweet boat gator! It was great to meet you. Just from watching boats....I'd rather see you on plane than like all those "bulldozers" out there. I don't see how Phil's dock takes all the punishment.

[Gatorjet]

Thanks for the complement on the Gator. It was my pleasure to meet and chat with you for a while. I always enjoy meeting OA members when I'm there. A really great bunch of people.

[loo10]

I understand where you are coming from.

I drive a large Lund tiller and I throw much less wake with more throttle

than I do scaled back as it then really plows.

That said, at idle, with gears just engaged...

I can ease thru an area fairly easily.

I understand the dilemma and am doing what I can to help situation.

Good fishing to all.

[BIG K]

Ever feel like your darned if you do and darned if you dont? my Ranger up on the pad leaves less wake than it does down plowing.but i also figure that lookout to short creek is going to be idle speed on the avg summer morning. if i can get to one side and run safely on plane i will but it draws some reel go to heck looks from some folks and when forced to idle i need to be in the channel were undoubtly there will be a bunch of boats anchord with rods and tight lines in every direction and they aint movin its almost like claim rights. I try to explain to these folks that i need to pass were they are anchord some understand and some have talked nasty about my mother ( im a pretty big guy and not as good as i once was but dont talk bad about my mom). I think the best last laughs i ever had was when a boat was anchord in the narrow spot above fall creek and i couldnt get by so after tiliting the motor all the way up and holding the trolling motor up to get by i was able to see all 30 or 40 trout hanging on the stringers and there pink power bait bait floating nicely off the bottom a quick call and luckily a warden near by and i havnt seen these folks since

[Bman]

Hey Gator,

My hats off to ya for really caring how others are affected. A fine example.

Speaking for myself, if I'm in the channel drifting, jump that Gator up on shallow running plane and run up the skinny side like you can.

I see this problem up above Fall Creek in the "narrows" with 0 units. Sometime folks even anchor right there in the narrow channel. I've seen them out of their boats wading right there blocking the channel. I've idled up to these folks asking if they would rather me excuse myself and idle by at their rod tips, (since they are BLOCKING the channel) or would they get rattled by me running on plane a safe distance away in a few inches of water. Now after hearing the opinions, I run on plane up over the shallow gravel on the skinny side.

[DoveTail]

Having a boat on top and not plowing through the water is the way to go, those with common sense will realize that is the polite thing to do. However you are dealing with some that block travel lanes also.

[Seth]

I was having this problem a few weeks ago when we were down between short creek and fall creek. After idling through everybody a few times I said heck with it and just started running across the shallow flat around everybody. The only thing people did was wave frantically at me to not go that way because of watching all the prop boats smoking logs and bottoming out. They didn't realize I had a jet unit on the back.