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Old 12-27-2017, 09:23 AM   #56
8gv
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Regarding using an aluminum boat as an ice breaker...

My friend and I went fishing in my 12’ aluminum boat one March right after an early ice out. We encountered ice blocking our accees to a cove where the fish were congregating. A gentle push with the bow broke the ice so we headed in with increasing speed. When the boat climbed up on thicker ice a bit of rocking broke it and we continued.

The fishing was great.

A week later we tried again but with three in the boat. With cold weather the ice had reformed rather than decreasing. The previous trip had taught me how to break it so we continued.

My brisk approach to the first ice sheet came to an abrupt stop. The guy in the bow started yelling. With the extra weight the boat was sitting lower in the water. The bow hit the ice edge straight on instead of climbing up on it. Water as pouring in.

So what do three guys in their twenties do to save themselves from a sinking boat in ice water? Well, we moved the front two guys aft to keep the bow up and attacked the ice again. It worked and we caught plenty of fish.
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