I have seen it this year driving over the bridge to get to Big Creek. Tons of stumps sticking out now.Saylorville can be really bad when lake and river levels are high. I never feel very comfortable on a boat on there.
I have seen it this year driving over the bridge to get to Big Creek. Tons of stumps sticking out now.Saylorville can be really bad when lake and river levels are high. I never feel very comfortable on a boat on there.
Not sure what your motor is but Merc's have a beeping system for alarms. I have an I/O with vesselview so that helps with information.Any other boat owners just live in a constant state of anxiety while using their boats? I'm triple checking the plug, trailer straps, chain, worry about every little noise difference I hear in the motor etc. I just have a newer Lund 16ft fishing boat. I still love to use it, but almost always think I screwed something up either trailering it or using it.
Thus the migration to Lake of the Ozarks. A complete sh*t show Friday/Saturday/Sunday until late afternoon. Sunday evening to Thursday not so bad. I wonder how many folks from Iowa have a place there? 500? 1000?What sucks about Iowa is that we just don't have many places where you can boat so many a lot of the lakes are really busy. Okoboji and Clear lake are absolute sh!t shows.
Thus the migration to Lake of the Ozarks. A complete sh*t show Friday/Saturday/Sunday until late afternoon. Sunday evening to Thursday not so bad. I wonder how many folks from Iowa have a place there? 500? 1000?
Yeah I don't even know the min length of boat necessary. High 20s?Oh for sure. I'm just not a fan of the Ozarks, it can be flat out dangerous.
I'd recommend min 50 foot Sea Ray ... with hookers and blow.Yeah I don't even know the min length of boat necessary. High 20s?
Yeah my 50 HP Merc has that I/O. I need to get that mainly as my tiller doesn't have an RPM gauge to try and figure out best cruising speed/rpm for gas mileage. I haven't had any major issue, just always think I will.Not sure what your motor is but Merc's have a beeping system for alarms. I have an I/O with vesselview so that helps with information.
It becomes habit over time. We forgot to put the plug in when putting the boat in this weekend. First thing to check when putting boat in or parking at a dock. We were actually still hooked up to the trailer when I noticed so we just pulled back out and drained it quick. Other than that, always check to make sure you're shooting water out the motor any time you go through some weeds.Any other boat owners just live in a constant state of anxiety while using their boats? I'm triple checking the plug, trailer straps, chain, worry about every little noise difference I hear in the motor etc. I just have a newer Lund 16ft fishing boat. I still love to use it, but almost always think I screwed something up either trailering it or using it.
Kids definitely stressful, I have 2, 4, and 6yo and none can swim. We have pontoon and 18ft jon boat and take both out so we do a lot of switching in between depending on the kids. The 2yo spends very little time in the fishing boat, pretty relaxing when all 3 are in the pontoon.Long time boater and came from a boating family. The process JP described in post 25 is the exact process my father and I had when I was a younger teenager.
Wife came from a boating family and we were fortunate to be able to buy a condo (w slip) at Tablerock Lake while we were DINKs.
Fast forward to today with 4 kids ages of 18months to 9yo. I manage anxiety with almost everything related to my kids and boating is now really stressful.
Luckily the 9, 6 & 3 yo enjoy boating/tubing and the two oldest are good swimmers. The most stress comes from the 18mo and 3 yo not being able to swim.
I can’t imagine my family getting out of the boating lifestyle.
I should add there is also stress with being on the dock and keeping track of the 2 younger ones. Some of the best days so far this summer have been when the boys are napping and being on the dock with the girls during those naps!Kids definitely stressful, I have 2, 4, and 6yo and none can swim. We have pontoon and 18ft jon boat and take both out so we do a lot of switching in between depending on the kids. The 2yo spends very little time in the fishing boat, pretty relaxing when all 3 are in the pontoon.
Yep. I have 0 interest in either of those lakes, or really any lakes in Iowa, because of that. Easily worth it to drive an extra hour or two north of both clear lake/boji.What sucks about Iowa is that we just don't have many places where you can boat so many a lot of the lakes are really busy. Okoboji and Clear lake are absolute sh!t shows.
I have a similar situation that I have 6 and 9 yo boys. Both are ok swimmers and always have life jackets on, but I always worry.Long time boater and came from a boating family. The process JP described in post 25 is the exact process my father and I had when I was a younger teenager.
Wife came from a boating family and we were fortunate to be able to buy a condo (w slip) at Tablerock Lake while we were DINKs.
Fast forward to today with 4 kids ages of 18months to 9yo. I manage anxiety with almost everything related to my kids and boating is now really stressful.
Luckily the 9, 6 & 3 yo enjoy boating/tubing and the two oldest are good swimmers. The most stress comes from the 18mo and 3 yo not being able to swim.
I can’t imagine my family getting out of the boating lifestyle.
Try during the weekday. We'll go on a Thursday and it's much better.Yep. I have 0 interest in either of those lakes, or really any lakes in Iowa, because of that. Easily worth it to drive an extra hour or two north of both clear lake/boji.
Any other boat owners just live in a constant state of anxiety while using their boats? I'm triple checking the plug, trailer straps, chain, worry about every little noise difference I hear in the motor etc. I just have a newer Lund 16ft fishing boat. I still love to use it, but almost always think I screwed something up either trailering it or using it.
I did my 1st year of owning a boat. After that it got lots easier.Any other boat owners just live in a constant state of anxiety while using their boats? I'm triple checking the plug, trailer straps, chain, worry about every little noise difference I hear in the motor etc. I just have a newer Lund 16ft fishing boat. I still love to use it, but almost always think I screwed something up either trailering it or using it.