Dumb question but timely
- Thread starter Mark W
- Start date
Pete McMiller
Well-known member
Not unless the operator was being crazy - actually not even then but I imagine it could happen. I've broken 1" quite a lot with my old 14x48 Jon boat as well as my BB3 and not had any issues with either hull. The one area that I always worry about is the motor's prop. The prop could easily get damaged before the hull would. Best bet is to just take it slow.
Mark W said:
Mark,
I've seen some "camp boats" (vee bottom 14 ft fishing boats) That have had damage from trying to break ice in the spring of the year. Best thing is the keep the bow high so the boat rides up onto the ice and breaks downward. Forcing the bow into the ice like a wedge is when damage is more likely to happen.
I would think you will be okay. You have a v bow with a heav keel. Just slide up on it and let the weight of the boat do the work. I have a couple of dents in my Lund bow. But nothing that looks like it would penetrate. The dents were from the previous owner BTW.
Ron Schuna
Well-known member
Going slow so the front of the boat climbs up onto the ice and then falls through may be better than ramming the ice. I have had a friend nearly drown in icy water when he tried doing this with a small canoe in Alaska. The canoe broke through however sent it sideways and tipped him into the water. Fast action by my two other friends on shore with a Grumman Sportboat got him rescued. One of those unforgettable moments.
Mark W
Well-known member
Went out yesterday knowing e were going to encounter ice and probably lots of it. We weren't disappointed.
Broke through 1-1.5"'s and it was slow going. Probably had to break a mile of so of it. A couple of times I was thinking it may be smarter to turn around but knowing it could be the last day of the season for me, we kept going. I also was pretty certain the ice would be less on the way back due to wind, me cutting a channel on the way out to the hunting spot and the fact that it was 39 deg. F. outside.
Got out to the spot and got set up. Last time in this spot there were literally hundreds of ducks in the air - non stop. This time we didn't see but maybe 5-6 on the way out and then a few more sitting in the boat. A couple came in and due to stellar shooting by your truly, one didn't leave [frown]. Should have easily been two in the bag but the gun barrel is bent and I had to adjust on the second shot......
We packed it in early as I didn't want to get lost with possible ice building. Got out to the area of the ice and couldn't find our original path. Bummer. Looked towards shore and we could see what appeared to be open water. Motored over and lucky for us, it was open water. Ran into maybe 100 yards of ice on the way back to the landing but that was it.
Another great day in the field. Hopefully the weather will hold through next Tuesday which is the last day of the season. Haven't missed the last day of the season in a long time. Will be struggling this year to find a spot with open water I fear.
Mark
Broke through 1-1.5"'s and it was slow going. Probably had to break a mile of so of it. A couple of times I was thinking it may be smarter to turn around but knowing it could be the last day of the season for me, we kept going. I also was pretty certain the ice would be less on the way back due to wind, me cutting a channel on the way out to the hunting spot and the fact that it was 39 deg. F. outside.
Got out to the spot and got set up. Last time in this spot there were literally hundreds of ducks in the air - non stop. This time we didn't see but maybe 5-6 on the way out and then a few more sitting in the boat. A couple came in and due to stellar shooting by your truly, one didn't leave [frown]. Should have easily been two in the bag but the gun barrel is bent and I had to adjust on the second shot......
We packed it in early as I didn't want to get lost with possible ice building. Got out to the area of the ice and couldn't find our original path. Bummer. Looked towards shore and we could see what appeared to be open water. Motored over and lucky for us, it was open water. Ran into maybe 100 yards of ice on the way back to the landing but that was it.
Another great day in the field. Hopefully the weather will hold through next Tuesday which is the last day of the season. Haven't missed the last day of the season in a long time. Will be struggling this year to find a spot with open water I fear.
Mark
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Lance Pardee
Active member
We split an aluminum boat 3/4 times one year breaking ice. We would just tig it when we got home. What you have to look out for is the ice on the side after you come down. Some times you'll get pressure and that will split the seems. I have punched a hole once in an old boat when didn't get bow high enough. Keep bow high, set don on it, and move, if thicker ice 1.5"+.
wendell avery
Active member
We tried to break a rock at the end of a breakwall last year. It was only about 10' long and 6' high above the water. Hit it dead center. It didn't move.
I break 1"-2" at landings pretty frequently late season. I trim the motor way up to try and slide up on and break downwards, I will push sheets with the lund when necessary. The bottom of my lund is the thickest available from the model year, and it works great. just paint scrapes.