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How big a boat do you guys prefer for running big rivers? I have access to a 1648 with a 25 HP but have had bad boating experiences in the past and am a little hesitant to push it nowadays. I was thinkin bout purchasing a 40 or 50 HP to put on the boat eventually..is a 1648 sufficient?

As in MS river? If thats the case no IMO that's not big enough. Granted my MS river is much worse than yours to the north, but it still can be a tough cookie. For me I wouldn't consider getting in the river in less than an 18' boat and 150hp motor.

I run the river up here around memphis in my 1754 war eagle. My boat has a 40 tiller on it. I dont think I would want to be in anything smaller though.

I have a 1648 War eagel with a 40 tiller, I run the Pascagoula river with no problems.

Im not gonna be too much help but what would be your purpose in the river? Fishing, running trotlines, duck hunting, just riding, etc? That would clarify what size boat I would have for the Mississippi River. I mean when the river is LOW, I have ran a jon boat with a 15hp motor several times. Would I get in there now with that with the river like it is now? Heck no! I wouldnt be in there with it being high unless I had a BIG boat!

I've run the river with my 1651 with a 60hp for years. You have to be VERY careful with a boat like that. I would go no less than a 17ft boat with a 60hp motor.

You have people that say that's too small but all the old timers ran the river with 14ft boats with 9.9 hp motors. Done it for 40 years. Never had a problem.

I'll sell you a 1866 f&f with 115 mercury (loaded). 1 year old. More than enough boat for the mighty Mississippi !

I have ran it in a 15 foot with a 25 and don't recommend it unless you are bascially crossing or summertime its usually pretty safe. I now have a 18 with a 100 on it and it can even get harry in it during duck season at high levels with barge traffic or a strong south wind.

I was in a 24' boat with a 225 on it about 1 month ago when my freind swamped it in 7' rollers on the MS river. When we left the dock the river was calm.

Hope that helps.

Jeff the river down there at the end and up here are a huge difference.

I have been running the river my entire life. I learned to run the river from my Dad who has also been out there his entire life. I will say this, I would not want to be out there in to small of a boat, but a big boat can get you in alot more trouble. I have a 17ft F&F with 24 inch sides and a 60hp Yamaha. Alot of people want to put a big motor on their boat. That adds more weight to the transom and gives you less clearance. I have been out on the river in the worst weather there is and I have never had a problem. F&F boats were made to run the river. Im not talking bad about other boats, but look at how some War Eagles and G3's sit in the water. They sit like a bass boat with the transom really low in the water. Thats good if you want alot of speed, but if you are trying to get into shallow holes or be out there when the river is white cappin, I would prefer my F&F with high sides and a light weight motor.

If it aint a river barge I aint gettin on it in the Mighty Mississippi

Thanks for the info guys. I'm thinking more along the lines of the White River / Arkansas River. And I was talking about duck hunting, so I would really only want to get on the river when it is flooded.

Sounds like I may need to give it a few test runs before the H2O gets cold next winter!! Or save up a couple grand and buy me a bigger boat!