advice for a newbie

dave_hogan

Hi guys , I have recently gotten a 17ft fiberglass lake boat with a 4hp 2 stroke engine and an electric engine, I have spent the last few weeks getting it ready to go, painting, replacing a few bits etc and I am hoping to get out in it as soon as the weather gets better.
However I haven't been on the water since I was a child, the advice I am looking for is would the boat I have be too small for Lough derg, and would the engine be underpowered. I have had contradicting advice from a few friends and thought someone here with greater experience would be able to help. Also is it true u don't need a licence to fish Lough derg as long as u only take one pike a day and release any trout under 14cm?

Thanks for reading

fergal.b

Hi Dave congrats on the new boat, a 4hp 2 stroke should be ok for a 17 foot I'd prefer 6hp or more. Take her out for a spin and see what you think if she meets your needs then stick with it. As long as you are not out in rough water you will be ok with a 17 foot there are plenty of them on it.
You don't need a licence but you might need a permit for some rivers controlled by clubs, here is some info http://derganglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=468




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dave_hogan

fergal.b wrote: »

Hi Dave congrats on the new boat, a 4hp 2 stroke should be ok for a 17 foot I'd prefer 6hp or more. Take her out for a spin and see what you think if she meets your needs then stick with it. As long as you are not out in rough water you will be ok with a 17 foot there are plenty of them on it.
You don't need a licence but you might need a permit for some rivers controlled by clubs, here is some info http://derganglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemd=468




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Thanks fergal, was thinking alright that I would have to watch the weather with Lough derg being so big and open, have gotten familiar with my engine as well and will be taking a spare plug and a couple of tools with me just in case hoping to explore a couple of the islands on the lake as well.. will have to do some research about other lakes nearby as well

fergal.b

If you don't know the engine I would get the impeller changed before I headed out on the water they only cost a few quid but if they fail they can reck your engine and leave you dead in the water. A lot of people selling boats will say it's just been serviced but unless I see the receipt and it's less than a year old I'd replace it just to be on the safe side.




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VinLieger

dave_hogan wrote: »

Thanks fergal, was thinking alright that I would have to watch the weather with Lough derg being so big and open, have gotten familiar with my engine as well and will be taking a spare plug and a couple of tools with me just in case hoping to explore a couple of the islands on the lake as well.. will have to do some research about other lakes nearby as well

Loguh Derg can be bad if the wind is coming directly down or up the lake as the waves can get quite big for a lake, the bays are usually quite sheltered though and there are many places around where you can launch easily

dave_hogan

VinLieger wrote: »

Loguh Derg can be bad if the wind is coming directly down or up the lake as the waves can get quite big for a lake, the bays are usually quite sheltered though and there are many places around where you can launch easily

Thanks VinLieger, one of my main concerns would be weather but if the weather is bad I won't go out, I know there is a slipway in killaloe but are there any other handy ones, I am living in limerick city so was wondering where would be handiest for me to launch from.

VinLieger

dave_hogan wrote: »

Thanks VinLieger, one of my main concerns would be weather but if the weather is bad I won't go out, I know there is a slipway in killaloe but are there any other handy ones, I am living in limerick city so was wondering where would be handiest for me to launch from.

Well theres ones in dromineer, terryglass, mountshannon, basically anywhere theres a harbour