I grew up on the river and have always been in a 21' higher freeboard boat. We normally take the in-laws 21' bow rider to Parker, but I'd like to take the Ranger out this year. Other than being stupid rough on busy weekends, any issues running low freeboard?

Upper sandbar I plan on anchoring bow out; have a box anchor. Lower sandbar I'll have no problem with just a sand spike.  Will probably only float engine off near the dams and avoid floating the main stretch.

My biggest concern is tying up to the docks? For example, the gas docks at Riverland or Buckskin? The bigger boats get bounced around pretty good and I'm not sure how mine will do. We spend a lot of time cruising and floating, so I don't expect the two 10 gallon tanks to last that long and I'd rather not pull the boat out to refill.

Also, is safe to tie up to the inside portion of Roadrunner's dock?  I haven't seen anyone anchor bow out downriver there and I'm not so sure about beaching it. Same thing with Pirates; the inner docks should be fine, but I'm not sure the boat will survive the main dock, and the beach takes some good rollers, so I'm not sure about beaching with the bow up on the sand.

Am I over thinking this? 

Here are some images of how the boat sits beached at Elsinore and at the newer city dock, yes it's still strapped at the bow, and barely floating, but the only shot near a dock that I have.




And one just cause I like it.

You're fine anywhere in Parker with that.

X2
I have a low profile hawaiian
And its rougher than shis on busy weekend, but no problems with water coming in


SRC

I pulled out of Badenochs one morning after having breakfast, about 8 people in the boat, heading just to the other side of the river and a wakeboard boat passed in back and a big ass 30',+- boat passed in the front. Within seconds we had about 8 inches of water in the boat. That was the last time I put my boat in Parker. I thought we were gonna sink.


RoB~SoCalJetBoats~

I was in robs boat when that happened,and I made up my mind the only time my boat would go in the water at Parker would be Tuesday to Thursday it's way to busy on the weekend for a 18 foot jet.


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We've been tossed a few times after being caught between large wakes; bad situation all around.

I'll give it a few runs early in the season before it gets too crowded and see how it goes. My biggest fear is getting pushed under a buoy, or taking a wake over the side while tied up to a dock. 




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This is Parker mid summer on a weekend never again spent the whole time either standing next to it babysitting or paranoid when I wasn't. Just too nerve racking.


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I take my daytona to parker and its not to bad. Its pretty rough on busy weekends. I don't have a splash guard and I get water in the boat. You just have to pay attention like you would have to with any boat. I personally love parker, but my boat isn't the best for big weekends. Also I never tie mine to anything. This isn't parker but gives you an idea about how low the ass end is. I have a video on youtube with some runs in parker and its smooth once you are past all the bars.

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Very nice boat!, as most of us have rather shallow V hulls you just have to keep aware of the water conditions. I really don't get into going to Parker Strip during the crazy weekends, too many boats, booze and ruff water. I enjoy going on the off weekends during the season. I was at River Island during Thanksgiving weekend and the weather was great and we had the river to ourselves minus a few other boats. I'm not a fan of pulling up to a dock to get fuel, plus it's much cheaper off the river, for example from fueling up at Buckskin vs River Island gas/store it's about $1.50 cheaper per gallon. When at Buckskin I'll anchor the boat and tie it up just off the beach with the nose towards the waves, it does fine. When floating down from Parker Dam, I fabed up a plastic splash gaurd and it works wonders. I'm planning on going to lake Elsinore on New Years Day as well for the Tom Papp Memorial, hopefully the weather remains nice, just overhauled the jet, have to try it out with the new mods. If anyone is interested in having a fun screw off day let me know.

I have stayed at both big bend and the blue... have boated down to the shallow across the blue on a holiday weekend. There is rocky areas but just boat smart and you will be fine. Watch for larger boats...

be careful!  this cole was sunk recently from a wake.



http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?112674-Beautiful-Cole-sinks-at-Pirate