Does size matter when it comes to boats and deeper water?

[superdave1984]

So I have a 14 ft v hull jon boat. 15 hp Zuke. I normally stay in what I would call medium shallow water of no more than 25 ft. I am somewhat skittish about going out to deeper water in this thing. It seems like the fish on KY lake have moved out to deeper water or I just cannot find them.
So what are y'alls thoughts on taking a boat this size out into the main lake/channel? We normally fish Jonathan Creek and don't venture out to the main lake much at all except a few times when we did but stayed near the shore because of the really large boats making wake that really rocked my boat.

[SuperDave336]

I would say stay with what you’re comfortable with. If you’re not comfortable going out to main channel then don’t.

[DockShootinJack]

Water depth doesn't effect a small boat any different than a big boat. Wave action is a lot rougher on a small boat. Growing up on the coast a being in the salt water waves are just a part of it. Nosed into the waves a small boat will take a lot more waves than one would think. Ultimately as Dave said. Stay where you are comfortable

[GreenLine]

It’s more the wave size you will have to deal with in a little boat. Not water depth. If you get caught trying to out run a storm or have any other problems on the water a little boat can be a big problem. Be careful, wear your PFD !


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[keeferfish]

If a boat floats in 2 foot of water it will float the same in 200 foot of water and handle the same. What will effect it would be open water, nothing to block wind and the amount of boat traffic. Those are the things that would concern me not depth. Also wear a PFD, material things can be replaced. Good luck and catch some.

[Atimm693]

If a boat floats in 2 foot of water it will float the same in 200 foot of water and handle the same. What will effect it would be open water, nothing to block wind and the amount of boat traffic. Those are the things that would concern me not depth. Also wear a PFD, material things can be replaced. Good luck and catch some.

Same with people, gotta tread water just the same in 15ft or 200ft.

There are a lot of factors that go into how dangerous a body of water is, how it lays in the landscape, amount of big boat traffic, predominant winds, currents, etc. Water depth alone is not one of them.

There is a good size reservoir near me that runs north/south. The main lake area is wide open, about a mile wide, and 10 or so miles long, uninterrupted. So with a strong south/north wind it really gets rough in a hurry.

A small boat can take a lot more than you probably think, especially being a Semi-V. I had a 14' Alumacraft for a few years, had it in some big waves now and then. I never felt really unsafe in that boat, but it was a little scary at times. It did make me learn how the wind and weather affects that particular body of water, and how to plan my outing to make the best of it.

The biggest things with a smaller boat is to not spear a wave, or get swamped over the transom. If you have to, run slow and ride in the trough, if you're going faster than the waves in a following sea, work the throttle to keep the bow up when you come over the top, that is when you'll spear one if you're not careful. And make sure you've got a bilge pump that is dependable.

[DockShootinJack]

Road out a pop up thunderstorm in a little 14 Crosby Sled wind pushing 3 foot waves under that bridge. Had to cut the bow rope loose and hold it in place with the motor. Slamming down into the next wave and water spray everywhere.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

[jay the baptist]

First thing is you have a respect for the bigger water.I don't think anybody can be to safe. PFD is a must in that boat at all times. It's all about having an escape plan. Track the weather with your phone. Wind and wave direction and heavy boat traffic. Pay attention at all times. Don't take chances. Once your boat is swamped, it's not going to end well.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

I watch the weather as well and have a plan. If it looks iffy weather wise we just don’t go even with a 20 foot boat. PFDs are always on while moving and oftentimes I leave mine on while fishing.