Econ river attempt

Last night in Deep Creek was very peaceful. Except for between 9-10pm when about 4 or 5 clowns came in on airboats. I'm pretty sure one of them circled C-Traveler. The boats are quite loud and also put out a wake.
So, we didn't quite make the Econ river today. We grounded a couple times at both ends of Lake Harney where the St. John's River connects. At the north end, I was able to back off and then find another way through. Still only showing about 1.3 feet under my hull. At the south end, there are poles on both sides marking the channel thru a very shallow area. Still, getting in, even with the main outboard trimmed all the way up, it's skeg was being pushed thru the sand/mud bottom. Back into the St. John's then on the south side of Harney, was ok. However, once we got close to the Econ, just beyond the highway bridge by the Jolly Gater Fish Camp, and C.S. Lee boat ramp, there was a bar I had to cross from one channel to another, and no way I could clear it. No matter where I tried to get through, the hull would go hard aground. I ended up watching a small fishing boat try to cross it on plane, and he grounded. He was able to trim his motor all the way up and power thru. However he likely only drafted 6" and weighed a lot less than C-Traveler. I tried a couple other different ways to get into that channel, but all were too shallow. Guess it gives me a reason to try again in future years. Back north on the St. John's River, with a lot of weekend boaters, and anchored in Butcher's Bend tonight. Another nice spot off the main river to anchor. Very quiet, and we are the only ones in here spending the night. Watched a paddle wheeler come thru before dark.Läs mer