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Author Topic:   Running an Outrage 18' in shallow waters

txcoastgal posted 04-14-2004 01:34 AM ET (US)
I've been researching this sight and reading posts for information on a 1986 Outrage 18 and it seems to be a great offshore boat, but I need to know how it will handle in very shallow bay waters?
erik selis posted 04-14-2004 06:22 AM ET (US)
Welcome to the Forum.
The classic 18-foot Outrage is a wonderful all-round boat. It has a 10-inch draft when the engine is tilted out of the water and it handles well in shallow waters.
What is your definition of very shallow bay waters?
For more information on this model see the reference section on this website.
For more feedback and response to this question I would suggest you post the same question in the "Classic Whaler: General" section of this forum.
Erik

BW23 posted 04-14-2004 09:43 AM ET (US)
>How much water does the boat require to get on plane?
minimum of 3 feet.
>How shallow can I run the boat while up on plane ?
too many variables to comment on.
prm1177 posted 04-14-2004 02:25 PM ET (US)
By definition, a boat draws much less water when on plane than when sitting still at full displacement. I have an Outrage 17 and get extremely nervous when my depthfinder reads less than 3-4 feet at speed. The reason is that while I may clear the bottom, the depth finder reads the depth at the transom (not ahead) and there may be obstructions I don't know about. I'm actually more at east when motoring about at 3-5 mph, since it's easier to spot bottom trends and shoaling within the reaction/stopping time of my boat.
Had a friend in high school who ran his boat through the inlet at 20 mph in 1 ft of water-low tide, only to get stuck when his engine stalled.
Tom2697 posted 04-14-2004 08:03 PM ET (US)
This post does belong in the "Classics" section but, since you're new... :-)
I am running an '89 Outrage 18 (same hull) in the skinny Texas waters of the Lower Laguna Madre. The boat does not do nearly as well as a Shallow Sport or a Dargel but you can always drift into the REALLY shallow stuff. For water in the 1.5' range, you can run into it or across it but your problem will be getting out. The boat does need at least 2 feet to get onto plane. I've poled my way through to deeper water and it can be tough. An eletric trolling motor is definitely a good idea with this boat if you go skinny often.
Oh yeah! It is also AWESOME to chase the kings, snapper, AJ's, cobia, and tuna around the rigs!!!
txcoastgal posted 04-14-2004 11:48 PM ET (US)
Thank you for the information. I am learning more and more about Boston Whaler, specifically the 18' Outrage -- the owner testimonials are contagious.
This will be our first boat, to be used mostly for fishing really shallow waters of Laguna Madre near Corpus Christi and Baffin Bay. It has a jack plate (?)
The boat needs a little TLC, and it has an old Johnson 120 motor but after reading so many posts on this site, I am convinced it will be well worth the time and effort.
Thanks again. I look forward to being a Whaler.
hooter posted 04-15-2004 02:13 PM ET (US)
With a jack plate you can navigate the 18" stuff in that boat without a hitch. Learn a trick and you can prob'ly get on plane in that much water by turning the wheel all the way to starboard and throttling up in a spin. That tends to put more water "under" the prop, 'cause she's kicked out to the side. Not for the faint of heart but reasonably safe after well mastered. Get you a 24 volt trollin' motor (Ah like MinnKota's) and a pair of batt'ries to drive her, apart from your crank batt'ry, and you can float into and out of plenty of flat stuff with the main prop trimmed mostly out the water. You'll never regret havin' bought that Classic Outrage 18' is mah bet:-!
Tom2697 posted 04-17-2004 09:30 PM ET (US)
That jack plate will allow you to run much shallower. I considered getting one when I repowered but decided against it. I am still trying to figure out why...

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Author	Topic: Running an Outrage 18' in shallow waters
txcoastgal	posted 04-14-2004 01:34 AM ET (US) I've been researching this sight and reading posts for information on a 1986 Outrage 18 and it seems to be a great offshore boat, but I need to know how it will handle in very shallow bay waters?
erik selis	posted 04-14-2004 06:22 AM ET (US) Welcome to the Forum. The classic 18-foot Outrage is a wonderful all-round boat. It has a 10-inch draft when the engine is tilted out of the water and it handles well in shallow waters. What is your definition of very shallow bay waters? For more information on this model see the reference section on this website. For more feedback and response to this question I would suggest you post the same question in the "Classic Whaler: General" section of this forum. Erik
BW23	posted 04-14-2004 09:43 AM ET (US) >How much water does the boat require to get on plane? minimum of 3 feet. >How shallow can I run the boat while up on plane ? too many variables to comment on.
prm1177	posted 04-14-2004 02:25 PM ET (US) By definition, a boat draws much less water when on plane than when sitting still at full displacement. I have an Outrage 17 and get extremely nervous when my depthfinder reads less than 3-4 feet at speed. The reason is that while I may clear the bottom, the depth finder reads the depth at the transom (not ahead) and there may be obstructions I don't know about. I'm actually more at east when motoring about at 3-5 mph, since it's easier to spot bottom trends and shoaling within the reaction/stopping time of my boat. Had a friend in high school who ran his boat through the inlet at 20 mph in 1 ft of water-low tide, only to get stuck when his engine stalled.
Tom2697	posted 04-14-2004 08:03 PM ET (US) This post does belong in the "Classics" section but, since you're new... :-) I am running an '89 Outrage 18 (same hull) in the skinny Texas waters of the Lower Laguna Madre. The boat does not do nearly as well as a Shallow Sport or a Dargel but you can always drift into the REALLY shallow stuff. For water in the 1.5' range, you can run into it or across it but your problem will be getting out. The boat does need at least 2 feet to get onto plane. I've poled my way through to deeper water and it can be tough. An eletric trolling motor is definitely a good idea with this boat if you go skinny often. Oh yeah! It is also AWESOME to chase the kings, snapper, AJ's, cobia, and tuna around the rigs!!!
txcoastgal	posted 04-14-2004 11:48 PM ET (US) Thank you for the information. I am learning more and more about Boston Whaler, specifically the 18' Outrage -- the owner testimonials are contagious. This will be our first boat, to be used mostly for fishing really shallow waters of Laguna Madre near Corpus Christi and Baffin Bay. It has a jack plate (?) The boat needs a little TLC, and it has an old Johnson 120 motor but after reading so many posts on this site, I am convinced it will be well worth the time and effort. Thanks again. I look forward to being a Whaler.
hooter	posted 04-15-2004 02:13 PM ET (US) With a jack plate you can navigate the 18" stuff in that boat without a hitch. Learn a trick and you can prob'ly get on plane in that much water by turning the wheel all the way to starboard and throttling up in a spin. That tends to put more water "under" the prop, 'cause she's kicked out to the side. Not for the faint of heart but reasonably safe after well mastered. Get you a 24 volt trollin' motor (Ah like MinnKota's) and a pair of batt'ries to drive her, apart from your crank batt'ry, and you can float into and out of plenty of flat stuff with the main prop trimmed mostly out the water. You'll never regret havin' bought that Classic Outrage 18' is mah bet:-!
Tom2697	posted 04-17-2004 09:30 PM ET (US) That jack plate will allow you to run much shallower. I considered getting one when I repowered but decided against it. I am still trying to figure out why...