If you’re a boating enthusiast who likes to challenge yourself in different water conditions, you must have thought about boating in shallow water. If that’s the case, but you’re worried about not owning a vessel specifically designed to float on shallow water, there’s nothing to worry about. That’s because whether you have a shoal draft or not doesn’t ultimately matter when you know the essential tips and tricks to get the most out of your water excursions.
Therefore, to help you out, we’re delineating the best four tips to remember when boating in shallow water so you can have the time of your life without encountering any hassle!
1- Keep an Eye Out on Patches Where Water Changes Color
The deeper the water level, the darker it will appear in color on the surface. However, it’s imperative to understand that color changes might sometimes fool you due to dark-looking weed beds underwater. Therefore, assume you’re sailing comfortably in a particular colored water area. When that’s the case, it’s best to avoid switching your spot in favor of another depth range based on the change of colors.
2- Slow Down Where You’re Unsure of Water’s Depth
Not to mention, if you’re unsure about a particular patch’s depth when boating in shallow water, it’s best to slow down your boat until you pass the potentially dangerous area. That’s because if you run aground sailing at high speed, your vessel may be damaged severely, and it will be unlikely for you to return to the shore with your boat safely.
3- Give Your Outdrive the Room to Wiggle Out of Tricky Situations
Another of the best tips to remember when boating in shallow water is not to trim your boat as far as possible. Because if you do so, you might likely run aground, which will leave you out of all options but to desert your boat.
Therefore, it’s better to leave the outdrive at least a couple of inches down so that if you run aground, you can still tilt up. This will make it possible for you to back off and find a deeper water patch.
4- Know Your Boat’s Draft and Consider Extra Weight
If you don’t know your boat’s draft, it’s best to learn about that before heading out in shallow water. This will help you make a good guess regarding how much depth you can safely take your boat out to without any trouble.
Lastly, it’s imperative to realize how the weight of other passengers, your boating gear, and even a full load of gas can change your boat’s draft.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can make the most out of your shallow water boating trip, no matter the type of vessel you own. Furthermore, if you’re in search of a top-quality dock under a minimal budget to keep your boat safe on the shore, EZ Dock has you covered with its wide range of products. For further information, you can either contact us through our website or call us at (800) 654-8168 at your convenience.
