Boat recommendation

[Grant Hall]

Looking to make my first trip to the white river. Planning on putting in at Cotter and running up. My question is would a 17ft tracker with a 60 prop be ok on this stretch of river with a good flow from the dam? I also have a jon boat with a 25 jet, but it’s definitely not as comfortable and would prefer the tracker. I run the current and 11 point frequently and can read water pretty well. I just don’t want to get into trouble with shallow water or rocks! Thanks!!

[jdmidwest]

I would think the Tracker would draft too deep in that area unless a strong, predicted, flow is going on.  Trouble is, tailwater streams can fluctuate alot in the course of a day and it all depends on the demand for electricity.

Stick with the jet and hope you don't get caught in low water. 

[netboy]

The bigger boat should be no problem with the current flows. They are running around 4 units in the mornings and bump it up to 6 or 7 in the afternoons.

[Jerkbait1]

On 8/17/2020 at 9:43 PM, jdmidwest said:

I would think the Tracker would draft too deep in that area unless a strong, predicted, flow is going on.  Trouble is, tailwater streams can fluctuate alot in the course of a day and it all depends on the demand for electricity.

Stick with the jet and hope you don't get caught in low water. 

 

[Jerkbait1]

I suggest 25hp jet.  I took mine couple yrs ago to cotter and glad i did.  They were renting jon boats with 9hp outboards and knocking props off left and right $$$.  Good luck. 

[jdmidwest]

My thoughts too. 

If you have a jet, use it on a river.  Keep the props on lakes to save the lower units.

[sfiser]

its doable but there are alot of spots you would have to be careful in that bigger boat... even on our current large flows due to having a bigger boat with a prop motor.  you are probably going to need 3-4 feet of water to keep the motor from hitting the bottom when you drift.  Even with the river high, there are lots of places that dont have that depth especially if you get off to the sides of the river.  Those bigger boats also toss a huge wake as you run up river and its dangerous to the folks in the john boats. There is a reason you don't see those type of boats out there much at all.  That jet is a better option and will allow you to move around the river with ease and you wont have any issues right now.

If you have to use the bigger boat, I would take it down and put in around the town of norfork.  The river is wider there and easier to run with less obsticales for you to avoid. Also the current is a little slower even when they are running big water so you dont have to be as concerned on your drifts since you have more time to react if you are drifting and see a log or rock.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Low water this morning so you better know the levels throughout the system with low water.  Could get sketchy quick if you get caught off guard with low water.