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Couture,
Also have 170 CC. Mine is 2002 which allowed up to a 90 hp. on the stern. I have an 80 hp. 4-S Yam. (369 lbs.). Also have Bennett trim tabs and a Dole Fin. Mabe over-kill on a 170 but I can run on plane (18 mph min.) in 16-18 inches of water. Tabs down, motor tucked under; boat runs level to almost bow down. Three average size men on board with gear. Off plane, I need 2 ft. to putter along. Motor tilted up, bow mounted trolling need 9-10 inches of water to keep the Elec. prop under water. And speaking from experience, with no passengers and motor tilted up this boat can be walked along in 7 in. of water. Need 3.5 ft.to get up on plane which I can do within 3-4 boat lengths.
Fish 2-3 times each spring Chokoloskee (Everglades) and Pine Island, St. James City. Chokoloskee is very shallow in places. I use a depth finder and GPS to establish current knowledge at low tide on each trip to get comfortable with travel lanes to areas where we like to fish. Things do change. The 'Glades area has flat sandy bottom, flat muddy bottom and oyster bars that will eat your lunch. And there is a really bad coral rock ledge at the entrance to Chokoloski Pass. No bouys or day boards but PVC pipe and treated wood posts in various stages of visability. And I think they like it that way.
Basic seamanship watching for color, current, seagulls standing, will work for you if you keep in mind the major tides in this area. 4.5 feet is not unusual.
Anyone out there that has not got out and walked thier boat back to deeper water has never really fished the flats and bays of FL and NC. And probably any other shores washed by salt water on East or Gulf Coasts.
Last edited by Jim Jenkins; 01-19-2007 at 12:52 PM.
Reason: Add info detail
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