www.iFourWinns.com

This is aimed mostly at the Kansas City area boaters, but all others please feel free to inject your experience.

I've been a big proponent of boating on ALL waterways over the years. I typically make at least one run a year on the Muddy-Mo, just for the scenery. The new toy is likely to follow the same wake as it's predicessor. Let me ask, any other locals do the same; Or are you just "Lake-Lubbers"?

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Lake lubber only here, but I've wondered about doing that sometime. I'm not familiar with what dockage facilities (if any) are available anywhere on the river, how concerned one has to be about debris, etc. - the usual waterway familiarity stuff.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

As far as debris, it's just like any other body of water. It picks up plenty after a good storm, but otherwise, no different than any area lake. Dockage facilities are nil. Over the last few years I've been in contact with a gent involved in putting a marina near the Cheuteu bridge, at the new boat ramp. Other than that new ramp and a few others (Sugar Creek, Parkville), nothing yet, but he indicated they were working with the city to get one soon. The nearest fuel is St Jo. I havn't gambled the trip that far, if I can't get gas, it's a long paddle back (down stream, at least). I usually go upstream to about Atchison. That's around 50 miles by water each way. A full day (and a full tank of gas) on the river to say the least.

I hope others get interested enough to get some demand for a marina!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Never been down there as of yet

Up here we have the Red River which runs from Winnipeg all the way up to Lake Winnipeg. There can be debris on the river but keeping a good eye on the water in from of us has proven to be enough to avoid the nasty stuff. I love the trip from here up to the lake (About 2.5-3 hours) and even have the opportunity to pass through the locks to do it!
We're lucky to have 2 marinas on the river for fuel if needed.

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

We were locked into being lake lubbers last season, due to the lack of a tow vehicle, but this season coming we plan to tour the Ottawa river, and the Trent-Severn Waterway (not really a river, but kinda close in spots!).

Is it April yet..... I'm already tired of cleaning snow!

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

I'm a lake lubber when it comes to my pleasure boats. I'd take my 16' aluminum fishing boat on the MO, but it only has a 25HP motor and I would think that would make for long trips upstream.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Not really..... just short trips downstream..... to the next boat ramp. FYI I've had my 18' Maxum on plane within arms reach of the shore..... not moving! I turned around, and punched it. Yea Haw what a ride. My GPS was showing about 62 mph. Not too bad for a 47 mph boat. The new one should register 75 under the same conditions.

Just like your guys describe up north. I do wish we had some other waterways to run locally. I'm <15 min to the ramp on the Mo River, and <20 to Smithville Lake. Tough decisions.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

An update, especially to Busacharger.... Smithville raised thier prices from $90 to $120 for a season pass w/boat. Re-damn-diculous, if you ask me. The developer of the local river projects is upbeat, but with the economy as it is, I doubt any funding will be available soon. I expect to spend more time on the river this summer, if only to get away from the crazies (or protect the other crazies from me!). Also, I expect to visit other area lakes such as Perry. Perhaps we'll have a KC area FW owners get together as well.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Much as I hate to give away our "secret" down here, you guys should come give my lake a try. I've been trying to get 230Mike over there for 2 seasons now, and my brother (a FW owner who is on this board as well) makes it over from time to time.

Let me know if you'd be up for it. Going to Stockton Lake would be an option, too, as I go over there to my brother's home lake a few times here and there.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

If gas prices stay down this summer, I may try some of the other lakes... Stockton included. Sadly, summer is a long ways away!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Paul, I haven't updated you in awhile, but we're moving the boat over to that area somewhere, this spring. Which will mean one of the following will happen:

1) We will no longer use the boat at all because it's too far away, or
2) We'll be seeing you over there

We love PDT, hope #2 ends up being the case.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Good news (hopefully)! Keep me posted.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

....or you'll have the best waxed boat in the whole KC area!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Man, I'm holding back on this one

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I know I tossed you a bone on that one, Brent

We did end up using it more later in the season last year than we ever have before, even getting out a couple of times after school started - which we've never done before. We'll just have to see how it goes.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic