Hello,

I just purchaced a 14' porta-bote, with a 9.9hp 4stroke.  The boat would be very similar to a basic 14 foot aluminum craft.  It weighs about 115 lbs, and is rated for 800lbs total capacity.  I have little boating experience and mostly plan on trolling small lakes in the G.P. area.  However, I would love to boat on some of the local rivers.  This is where I need advice.  Would this boat loaded with 2 people be able to go upstream on the Wapati?  If not, would there be any slower moving rivers it could handle?  Would it be to risky using a propeller on a river?  or is it fine to do so, if one pays attention.  I do not care about speed, unless i could walk faster.   Thanks

Hello Ques,

You would be able to go up the river in some area's but I would be very carefull with your prop as there are shallow areas and if you damage it you will be floating down river the wrong way. Also pending on what time of year it is your 9.9 might not be able to keep up with the current as it can be fast in areas. You could travel between the wapiti bridge to Pipestone Creek as the current is a little slower but again there are some very shallow areas. I would recommend for safety purposes to stay on the small lakes in the area with your boat and you would probably have more fun. Hope this helps and I'm sure others will have opinions as well.

Take care and be safe;

Clarence

I've seen guys on the river with props.  That being said new guys in Jets get into trouble let alone running a prop.  If I was heading out for my first ever trip I would probably try the Peace.  Deep, wide and a little more forgiving.

If you were worried about current you could always have a truck down stream and yours at the launch.  Wapiti gardens-Magoos.  Cherry Point-Dunvegan. Little smoky-the golf course launch ect.  Learn the river and if blow up mattresses can make it so can you!

Be Careful!

Hey thx guys.  I think if I ever try it, it will be on the peace as suggested.  But for now I will stick to the lakes.

i think you would be nuts to do the peace first, yes its wider, but i think the current is like ten times faster. much more dangous a river, play in the wapiti.

Me personally wouldn't tell anyone that putting a prop on a river here in Northern Alberta is safe. The Peace is a dammed river which can cause large fluctuations in water levels and large sand bars which if you hit will claim your motor and possibly the transom of your boat.

The Wapiti is a very shallow river with large rocks, gravel bars etc which will if hit wreck your motor and boat. If you do want to get out on the Wapiti float it with a set of oarsand you will save yourself alot of headaches and more then likely a rescue from the boys with the jets.

I am looking at my first boat trrip of the year this week on the Wapiti should be a blast!

very true about the wapiti, suddun shallow spots, I should know I broke my neck a few years ago, on that river. I have seen some dude use a canoe with a electric go upstream.

  You guys should check out the Mudbuddy website.  I've been thinking about maybe buying one of these motors.  They would be perfect for Northern Alberta.  If anybody is in the market for a new outboard check these out.

I hunt with a buddy who has a surface drive motor.   Very good for shallow weed choked lakes and sandy/mud bottom rivers.  However big rocks/ shallow rapids still problem.  Have used a 14 ft teflon plastic lined flat bottom jon boat with a tunnel for years with 40hp outboard jet and it works as well as anything.  Big disadvantage is lack of capacity - 2 guys and 20 gallons of gas and light gear is all you can carry.  However have fished the Little Smoky with this rig for 25 years. 

Wow great information, This is my new boat, I havent put it in the water yet. I was thinking of  deep rivers but I think I will stick to the lakes.

It has a 60hp merc and i dont think i want to damage it. Are all the lakes around here safe for this boat>?

Thanks