A draft question on a 74 196 with a 115 Johnson

[Jolly man]

I have a 15 foot tracker topper with a 15 hp motor that I fish the flats and in some rocky creeks.  Took the wife and son fishing for redfish and she determined I need a new rig that is a little larger.  She was going to buy me a 16 ft G3 with a 50 HP Yammie on the back.....for around 5k.  I can turn my current rig into cash pretty quick...I found a 74 196 on craigslist.  It has a few soft places on the deck but all in all it looks to be a good rig.  What could I realistically expect to draw with wife and 2 kids, gear and cooler?   It is a cool rig though will posted pics if it comes through and also need to post pics of my ladder/stripper pole...but that is another story.

[RickK]

Hi JM,
With the weight distributed you should draft about 9" engine trimmed out of the water.  The front keel of these boats drop down a couple inches so sometimes that point drags in shallow water and you have to shift toward the aft to get through some stuff.  The 170/175s draw about 8".
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3442&title=pricelist-1975-p3&cat=583

[Jolly man]

Thanks that is awesome info.  If the deck isn't too far gone I will buy very soon.....

[Aswaff400]

my 200 osprey with a heavy 200 evinrude, jackplate, 25 gallon livewell, cooler, 36 volt trolling motor, full fuel, id draft around 12 inches. when i had the boat bare bones with a 112 johnson i could pole across in about 8 inches