14’ Jon boat with Swamp Runner mud motor with 13 HP Lifan engine from Home Depot. On the Potomac River with lots of big rocks, ended up with big hole in the boat.
See all the different ancient rock V fish traps? That’s cool. I love these. Got a 1440 with the 22hp and medium swamp runner kit. Go all over the Florida Everglades with that boat.
I've been looking for videos like this and asking questions, I'm in the south but above the coastal plains so all my rivers are rock bottom and sand , clay. I've been throwing around the idea between a long tail, surface drive or building a smaller jet Jon. See the issue is in these mostly slow moving rivers is you will be good along on a mostly smooth surface and bam there's a school bus size rock right under the surface! It will sure get your attention if you are just trolling along especially with a front mounted trolling motor. I understand the skeg will protect the prop from a rock underneath you but what if you catch the side of one these big square boulders? I have been looking to see if there was a cage or a plate that will protect from a side strike. I know a jet setup will do away with this issue but there's still vegetation in places that will cause problems.
I carry spare props. I hit rocks many times. They do sell a round cover to fully protect the prop. I ran my job boat on some rocks and eventually got couple holes in it. Now I run an inflatable boat by Saturn with the long tail.
I use mud motors and don't trust this lie. I have had rocks punch holes if u get to shallow. Have bilge pumps and carry 5 minute white jb weld underwater mixing stick. White one. Or u will be sorry.
