Just got a 1462 V hull boat

[jweaver1]

I just got this Smoker Craft Voyager 14 and its been nice so far, it has a Suzuki df9.9b engine on it, and moves about 25 mph. I got it for lake Nockamixon and it is located near by, but I am wondering about a Delaware river adventure. I am new to this and was wondering if its possible to bring a bunch of gas and get it to Penn's landing from as close to Tinicum park as possible? Is this possible? Would I have to bring it to Trenton or farther down? will I get in trouble for not having a radio/gps? Will the boat even bae able to handle the water I want it to go in?

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Welcome aboard

 

[Don]

I just got this Smoker Craft Voyager 14 and its been nice so far, it has a Suzuki df9.9b engine on it, and moves about 25 mph. I got it for lake Nockamixon and it is located near by, but I am wondering about a Delaware river adventure. I am new to this and was wondering if its possible to bring a bunch of gas and get it to Penn's landing from as close to Tinicum park as possible? Is this possible? Would I have to bring it to Trenton or farther down? will I get in trouble for not having a radio/gps? Will the boat even bae able to handle the water I want it to go in?

Welcome aboard. I hope you have a blast with this boat, they're nice. You will really have some great memories.

A Few things (Granpa talk):
-I suspect that you did not take a boaters safety course. Sign up for it. Jan 13th at Peters marine. See you there. Not having this will get you fined. Surround yourself with boaters that have experience. In my Experience The Nock , Beltzville and Paupack are horrible places to learn from other boaters. You decide.
-If you had taken the required above course and passed it you would not have asked this questions about "Radio/GPS. It was all there.
-know all the on ship limitations you will face: legal lights for after dark, adequate anchors for this river, safety items like waterproof clothing bag and life preservers (must be worn)
-Know the legal weights for the boat and try to stay lighter than that.
-Stay away from other or larger boats. That little 14 can easily be swamped by a tug passing you. Move to the side....
-Have a spare prop
-We have not had rain in a long time. The river is slow and calm (I live near it in Easton). Once it rains enough to bring the levels up to near normal levels there will be a tremendous amount of deadfalls and organic debris in the water. Consider not going up on plane much if it has rained.
-Have a runner...a present to rescue you if you have an issue, Secretly obtain A-5's phone Number as he is always available, lol.
-Download the free version of the Aquamaps. you'll have a better Idea of what you're up against.

Those are just the Grandpa speeches. Have fun. Also be sure you have insurance of some sort to protect your investment.Furthermore you will be among hoity-toity boats in this area...scratch one of them and you'll be expected to fix it. Boat repairs are expensive.
When will you leave. I've done much of the river from Point Pleasant to the New York border by canoe in fine weather and it is awesome, good luck.

 

[Don]

Oh, One more thing, Don't tow with a Rav4. They can't handle any boat towing (tongue in cheek).

 

[pabassman]

Welcome aboard. Best of luck with the boat. The safe boater course is a good idea but not requied in your case. You will get good info from it. A Pennsylvania Boat License is required for anyone 12 and older who operates a personal watercraft, or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a motorized boat greater than 25 horsepower. If I were you I'd take it. It can be done online.
I think you would do best to stick to the lakes until you get used to the boat. You will need some buddies but float trips on a river can be a blast. I havent done it in many years but they were always fun. If you are staying in an area it was always our rule to fish upstream from the launch. Head downstream and having issues makes for an unpleasant day. Learning to read the water is important on the rivers. Finding a boulder when running isnt good lol. Safety equiptment is vital, dont skimp or go without.

 

[jweaver1]

Welcome aboard. I hope you have a blast with this boat, they're nice. You will really have some great memories.

A Few things (Granpa talk):
-I suspect that you did not take a boaters safety course. Sign up for it. Jan 13th at Peters marine. See you there. Not having this will get you fined. Surround yourself with boaters that have experience. In my Experience The Nock , Beltzville and Paupack are horrible places to learn from other boaters. You decide.
-If you had taken the required above course and passed it you would not have asked this questions about "Radio/GPS. It was all there.
-know all the on ship limitations you will face: legal lights for after dark, adequate anchors for this river, safety items like waterproof clothing bag and life preservers (must be worn)
-Know the legal weights for the boat and try to stay lighter than that.
-Stay away from other or larger boats. That little 14 can easily be swamped by a tug passing you. Move to the side....
-Have a spare prop
-We have not had rain in a long time. The river is slow and calm (I live near it in Easton). Once it rains enough to bring the levels up to near normal levels there will be a tremendous amount of deadfalls and organic debris in the water. Consider not going up on plane much if it has rained.
-Have a runner...a present to rescue you if you have an issue, Secretly obtain A-5's phone Number as he is always available, lol.
-Download the free version of the Aquamaps. you'll have a better Idea of what you're up against.

Those are just the Grandpa speeches. Have fun. Also be sure you have insurance of some sort to protect your investment.Furthermore you will be among hoity-toity boats in this area...scratch one of them and you'll be expected to fix it. Boat repairs are expensive.
When will you leave. I've done much of the river from Point Pleasant to the New York border by canoe in fine weather and it is awesome, good luck.

Thank you so much for this !
I will check out the boaters safety course, I didn't even know it was a thing. No wonder people were flipping me off on the jetskis at lake Wallenpaupack a couple years ago... woops.
And I like to imagine my 2011 es350 has the same towing capacity as a rav4 (it probably doesnt) but so far so good since I put a couple 50 pound sand bags in the front of the boat for towing. The 120 mile ride home it was swaying alot and I didnt realize it until I took it off the hitch and it almost flipped over backwards.

A couple things I learned in the past month since owning it:
how to get a nj trailer registered in pa (difficult)
Trailer tounge weight
Boat covers are necessary
Clean gas is important, (dont leave the vent open)
How to use trim
propeller size matters for acceleration or top speed.
you can over rev boat engines, but if theyre new enough theyll cut out a bit to let you know to throttle down.

Some people (me) NEED some of this grandpa talk !!

What is a runner? Someone that could help like sea tow?
I also find it wild that I work at an insurance company and it didnt even cross my mind how expensive it could be to hit or scratch another boat.

Lastly, I am not sure when I plan to do the Delaware but after hearing all this I should wait until at least the begining of the season after the next one. Luckily, I have an Intex Mariner 3 with a 3hp motor on it that can easily float and move in 6 inches of water or less, that should make scouting easier.

Thanks again for your reply its a big help!!!!!!!

 

[Melvinp]

How do from Wyoming county and just don’t do anything stupid

 

[Don]

JW, Just watch out for them Rav4. They're killers.
In PA it is mandatory to have completed a boaters safety course before operating a boat. It seems to me that things have changed. See PA Bassman's post above.
Many don't bother with the course and they're missing out. Freaking Idiot Harrisburg boat commission, or someone in the state, decided to have these courses online. You come away with nothing because you don't get forced to discuss with others in the course and discuss solutions and best practices. Instead the focus, as is usual for online courses, becomes that of passing the course in the fastest and least memorable way and move right on to being a boater. The local Coast Guard version of the Course is being sponsored by the US Power Squadron. It is being held at Peters Marine, on Union BLVD in Allentown, on January 11-12 9am til Noon.
Once you pass the course you get a card for your wallet and you'll feel real important, superior perhaps, lol, but stay away from Rav4's.

I hope you understand that I'm attempting to use dry PA Dutch humor. But the course is real.

Where are you living.

Oh, on the trailer, move your stanchions and bunks forward 4" at a time until you have the correct tongue weight on the ball. On a light boat you can figure 60% or more of the boat weight should be ahead of the axle.

I don't use boat covers but, I wish I had one, there are plenty of retailers that have them if your boat is a factory boat. If you need a few names let us know.

Do you know what WOT stands for? Wide Open Throttle. If your motor is correctly propped for you boat weight then there is no danger of over revving the motor. If you experience over revving then you need a slightly bigger prop. Next, find out what your WOT speed is for your motor, It is likely 5500rpm. if it is supposed to be 5500 and it runs at 6000 then your prop is too small. When you are wearing the right prop and have the throttle fully open while under way the rpms are at WOT. If you can't get up to WOT then you have too big of a prop and your engine will be lugging. Your dealer knows or can find these numbers if you bug them. Some this sites members have factory built boats that are correctly mated to their motors right from the factory and so they've never have to work much at this. But they are recipients of the safety and performance of this arrangement.

Unless you're storing the boat in heated garage be sure to winterize your motor for winter storage...do you know how? use up any of the old fuel, or treat it heavily. Change, or have changed, the oil in the lower unit. Replace your water impeller.

The tow capacity of the es350 is 1000 lbs for 2024 so you should be good.

Study, learn and get back to fishing.

Like PABassmen said don't skimp on safety items.

 

[troutspinner]

1642 V with a 9.9 doing 25mph???

 

[Don]

1452 empty is only 350lbs. They have no liner and probably twart seats. So One person, not my lard ass, but one normal person should get it up onto plane nicely. With the prop sizes available, and unless he is timing it, I doubt he is going 18mph. But that close down on the water in a tin can feels great...feels like light spreed. But then add a dog (like I do), then add A-5 and Solitario and it won't even go onto plane anymore, as you've tripled the weight of the vessel.
Yrs ago I built my then 14 yr old son a 10' boat and it covered the lake very quickly up on plane with an 8 horse. It was plywood and had a floor and center console. It was about 300-350 lbs and was almost too fast for him at the time. We had a blast.

 

[pabassman]

We need to see pics!!! Before..... then more after you trick it out!!

 

[jweaver1]

1642 V with a 9.9 doing 25mph???

its got an efi tune and internal parts to boost to 20hp, I thought it was snake oil, but it seems to be real. I had my girlfriend on my seat and my friend whose about 250 pounds (probably more) at the front. He was measuring speed with gps up there and it slowly crept up from 19 to 20 up to 27 and then capped out there. The power trim really helps with getting on plane I think.

 

[jweaver1]

JW, Just watch out for them Rav4. They're killers.
In PA it is mandatory to have completed a boaters safety course before operating a boat. It seems to me that things have changed. See PA Bassman's post above.
Many don't bother with the course and they're missing out. Freaking Idiot Harrisburg boat commission, or someone in the state, decided to have these courses online. You come away with nothing because you don't get forced to discuss with others in the course and discuss solutions and best practices. Instead the focus, as is usual for online courses, becomes that of passing the course in the fastest and least memorable way and move right on to being a boater. The local Coast Guard version of the Course is being sponsored by the US Power Squadron. It is being held at Peters Marine, on Union BLVD in Allentown, on January 11-12 9am til Noon.
Once you pass the course you get a card for your wallet and you'll feel real important, superior perhaps, lol, but stay away from Rav4's.

I hope you understand that I'm attempting to use dry PA Dutch humor. But the course is real.

Where are you living.

Oh, on the trailer, move your stanchions and bunks forward 4" at a time until you have the correct tongue weight on the ball. On a light boat you can figure 60% or more of the boat weight should be ahead of the axle.

I don't use boat covers but, I wish I had one, there are plenty of retailers that have them if your boat is a factory boat. If you need a few names let us know.

Do you know what WOT stands for? Wide Open Throttle. If your motor is correctly propped for you boat weight then there is no danger of over revving the motor. If you experience over revving then you need a slightly bigger prop. Next, find out what your WOT speed is for your motor, It is likely 5500rpm. if it is supposed to be 5500 and it runs at 6000 then your prop is too small. When you are wearing the right prop and have the throttle fully open while under way the rpms are at WOT. If you can't get up to WOT then you have too big of a prop and your engine will be lugging. Your dealer knows or can find these numbers if you bug them. Some this sites members have factory built boats that are correctly mated to their motors right from the factory and so they've never have to work much at this. But they are recipients of the safety and performance of this arrangement.

Unless you're storing the boat in heated garage be sure to winterize your motor for winter storage...do you know how? use up any of the old fuel, or treat it heavily. Change, or have changed, the oil in the lower unit. Replace your water impeller.

The tow capacity of the es350 is 1000 lbs for 2024 so you should be good.

Study, learn and get back to fishing.

Like PABassmen said don't skimp on safety items.

Ill take a look at the in person class, I am not the best at taking courses online.

I was wondering about the prop and how to tell what size I should have, I am going to look up a few youtube videos and see what I find.

Is it a bad idea to continue taking the boat out until its freezing? I have been running the gas out of it before pulling it from the water just incase, but I have been using it every weekend and havent really gotten annoyed at the cold yet, but I am thinking that this might be the last weekend of the season for me if its a bad idea to keep going.

Thanks everyone for the responses !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jweaver1]

We need to see pics!!! Before..... then more after you trick it out!!

Of course!!! I just need to get some pictures on the computer or maybe log in on my phone.

 

[Don]

its got an efi tune and internal parts to boost to 20hp, I thought it was snake oil, but it seems to be real. I had my girlfriend on my seat and my friend whose about 250 pounds (probably more) at the front. He was measuring speed with gps up there and it slowly crept up from 19 to 20 up to 27 and then capped out there. The power trim really helps with getting on plane I think.

Maybe others have an opinion here. Mine is that any mods made incrementally decrease reliability. If you need a 20 buy a 20. Think fishing not speed. There are so many places that, due to its size, you won't be able to remain up on plane safely. Unless you plane to race it keep it dependable and easy to service. Think fishing.

Ill take a look at the in person class, I am not the best at taking courses online.

I was wondering about the prop and how to tell what size I should have, I am going to look up a few youtube videos and see what I find.

Is it a bad idea to continue taking the boat out until its freezing? I have been running the gas out of it before pulling it from the water just incase, but I have been using it every weekend and havent really gotten annoyed at the cold yet, but I am thinking that this might be the last weekend of the season for me if its a bad idea to keep going.

Thanks everyone for the responses !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just put the engine down and let it drain and dry each time you're out. PABassman has more cold water experience than some or all of us and maybe he will chime in here. I never had issues.
What are you doing for cold water safety. Once the really seasonal weather moves in you will have only a few minutes to save yourself should you end up in the drink. I keep a dry bag with lots of dry clothes. But that does not help until you're out of the water. There is some excellent cold water trout fishing coming up soon and I will recommend everyone else fish for them. But I'll be watching the Holliday fireplace on the cable channel.

 

[pabassman]

Ill take a look at the in person class, I am not the best at taking courses online.

I was wondering about the prop and how to tell what size I should have, I am going to look up a few youtube videos and see what I find.

Is it a bad idea to continue taking the boat out until its freezing? I have been running the gas out of it before pulling it from the water just incase, but I have been using it every weekend and havent really gotten annoyed at the cold yet, but I am thinking that this might be the last weekend of the season for me if its a bad idea to keep going.

Thanks everyone for the responses !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A 9.9 motor probably doesnt many prop options. If you're getting up on plane easily you're probably where you should be. No reason to worry about the cold. Me and several of my buddies bump ice sheets around in the late fall and very early spring. Just make sure you get all the water drained. Trim all the way down, then up a couple times. If its near freezing we ofter give the key quick turn. Not starting it just a bump to kick the last water out.

 

[pabassman]

Charge batteries as soon a you get home, If you have a trolling motor just tap the pedal with the motor nested to get ant excess water out of the prop area too. I'll be out until it looks like the lakes are ready to freeze. There will be bass tournaments on Harveys until the lake caps over.

 

[Don]

That is dedicated and awesome.

 

[jweaver1]

A 9.9 motor probably doesnt many prop options. If you're getting up on plane easily you're probably where you should be. No reason to worry about the cold. Me and several of my buddies bump ice sheets around in the late fall and very early spring. Just make sure you get all the water drained. Trim all the way down, then up a couple times. If its near freezing we ofter give the key quick turn. Not starting it just a bump to kick the last water out.

Getting the last little bit out by cranking is super smart!! I am going to try that, the efi engines start pretty instantly so ill have my finger on the kill switch! You guys are awesome, cant wait to keep you updated with my adventures

 

[pabassman]

Nice rig. Dont overlook trailer maintenance. Grease the wheel bearings, use WD40 or Blaster on the jack, winch and trailer coupling. When you decide you're done for the year cover the coupling with a couple plastic grocery bags after you spray it. Pull the drain plug and keep the trasom tilted down