Sallys Gut

[MeredithMan]

XCR...

You will be fine. I have the exact same ride as you, (270BR...I love your red color scheme), and go through there often without issue. Maybe because I am paranoid, I do put the outdrive up maybe 1/3 to 1/2 just to be safe. It does get very narrow on the Tommy's Cove/Fish Cove entrance/exit, so I would advise to stay dead-center right there for maximum depth.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

XCR...

You will be fine. I have the exact same ride as you, (270BR...I love your red color scheme), and go through there often without issue. Maybe because I am paranoid, I do put the outdrive up maybe 1/3 to 1/2 just to be safe. It does get very narrow on the Tommy's Cove/Fish Cove entrance/exit, so I would advise to stay dead-center right there for maximum depth.

What year is your 270/how long have you had it? Any advice about what to watch out for???

As for Sallys Gut, thinking my last trip might have been in my CVX-20, which needed about a foot of water ;-) This Formula is just a bit deeper,,,

Not so much worried about the hull as the twin Bravo 3 props, I dont need a $1000+ unexpected expense if I can afford it. Gotta pay for all that gas the merc 8.2 uses,,, Honestly its not bad, but our merc 5.7 in the Caravelle Interceptor was crazy fuel efficient. Almost like someone was refilling it for me when I wasnt looking.

[Dave R]

Been through there in a 35ish foot Regal. Plenty of depth, plenty of room.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Been through there in a 35ish foot Regal. Plenty of depth, plenty of room.

As things at the lake evolve over time, is there currently a preferred direction?

Thanks

[Winilyme]

going west to east, exiting on the Fish Cove side. Going the other way, there's a tendency to give way a little too far to starboard just before entering the channel. This is because it's difficult to see what's coming from the other direction and it's quite narrow. On that north side near the entrance there's at least one rock just below the surface that was unmarked one year ago. I found that out the hard way as I scratched my way across it on my two month old jet ski. It's marked by someones makeshift red buoy now but on a larger boat, I'd rather be on the south side of the channel heading east.

From Fish Cove, I'd take that boat south, east, and north up past Cattle Landing and around Bear. From there, south around Welch for the great view of the broads. Back up to Glendale and following the west coast north through the no wake and Governors Island bridge and onto Weirs or Meredith. On that boat on a nice day, your guests aren't going to want a short ride. As the pilot, I wouldn't either. Have fun.

[Descant]

Because it is narrow does not relate to depth, whether it is Sally's Gut, the Graveyard or Hawk's Nest. The state generally thinks anything 8 feet deep at full lake is "Navigable". A few exceptions, but if the manufacturer says draft is 4 feet or less, dry weight, every navigable water on the chart should be OK. No problem poking around in a deeper draft boat., but be prepared to back out slowly if you're playing inside the buoys (at some of the best anchor/swim) areas. The real story is "Local knowledge". Several places around he lake are marked based on the old steamship days that have nothing to do with current 22 foot boats with retractable motors. When was the last time you explored Middle Ground Shoals? Or even the dreaded Witches? Shallow, but not crowded, and no whining neighbors. Crank the music, softly, please.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Been through there in a 35ish foot Regal. Plenty of depth, plenty of room.

Yes,

It was with me on my boat. A fun ride, but it didn't seem like there was plenty of room at the time, but we made it through with no problems!