Comments on: Alaska Boating Adventure http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure Glimpses From Bert & Jane Gildart's Travel Adventures Tue, 22 May 2012 00:20:47 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Bert http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure/comment-page-1#comment-27422 Bert Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:03:44 +0000 http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure/#comment-27422 Tom, greatly appreciate the comments--and still keep hoping our paths will cross. Regarding prop vs. jet, all folks along the Yukon seem to use prop-driven boats, even though the water is often shallow. Still, they know where to go and how to avoid hitting the bottom, something I spend the summer trying to learn,but never quite accomplishing. It's called "Reading the River," and I must admit, I have a long way to go. But the reason for using a prop is part economics, part weight. Hundreds of miles separate these villages and jets seem to get only about half of what a prop-driven boat will get. What that means is that in a small jon boat, we'd have to pack twice as much gas as we did, and then, weight and space become real concerns. We took four props along with us, and I often found myself banging out the dents over a fire at night. Tom, greatly appreciate the comments–and still keep hoping our paths will cross.
Regarding prop vs. jet, all folks along the Yukon seem to use prop-driven boats, even though the water is often shallow. Still, they know where to go and how to avoid hitting the bottom, something I spend the summer trying to learn,but never quite accomplishing. It’s called “Reading the River,” and I must admit, I have a long way to go.
But the reason for using a prop is part economics, part weight. Hundreds of miles separate these villages and jets seem to get only about half of what a prop-driven boat will get. What that means is that in a small jon boat, we’d have to pack twice as much gas as we did, and then, weight and space become real concerns.
We took four props along with us, and I often found myself banging out the dents over a fire at night.

]]> By: Tom Palesch http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure/comment-page-1#comment-27412 Tom Palesch Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:45:34 +0000 http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure/#comment-27412 Bert and Janie,we too have a jon boat (16' all welded Alumicraft) powered by a 40 hp Susuki Jet Drive. I'm wondering if you are Jet driven too? We use ours on the upper Mississippi River above Monticello, MN. It's a wonderful way to enjoy a rock strewn river and the small mouth bass and musky fishery. I've often thought it would be the way to go for an all-upstream camping adventure, But, not at 70+, I'll leave that to the grand kids. Thanks for the great adventure stories. Tom & Sandi Palesch Bert and Janie,we too have a jon boat (16′ all welded Alumicraft) powered by a 40 hp Susuki Jet Drive. I’m wondering if you are Jet driven too? We use ours on the upper Mississippi River above Monticello, MN. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a rock strewn river and the small mouth bass and musky fishery.

I’ve often thought it would be the way to go for an all-upstream camping adventure, But, not at 70+, I’ll leave that to the grand kids.

Thanks for the great adventure stories.

Tom & Sandi Palesch

]]> By: Mike http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure/comment-page-1#comment-2915 Mike Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:41:22 +0000 http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2007/05/03/alaska-boating-adventure/#comment-2915 Great pictures - so exciting to see the glory of Alaska! Great pictures – so exciting to see the glory of Alaska!

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