Author Topic: River Hawk boats???  (Read 1738 times)

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Offline Michael H

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River Hawk boats???
« on: January 21, 2006, 11:38:29 AM »
Does anyone have experience with the River Hawk boats made in Georgia?  They are a hybrid canoe/jon boat/peerow.
Construction?, Long lasting, Durable? Good value?
Folks in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisianna, and Arkansas should know something about them.  Any and all comments appreciated.

http://www.boatingatlanta.com/River%20Hawk/riverhawk1.htm

Michael H
Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die tomorrow

Offline wncchester

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River Hawk questions ...
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2006, 11:23:06 AM »
OK, no one else has chimed in so I will.  You didn't say how or where you would use the boat, nor which model you might be interested in, and all that matters - a lot.

I have a basic 13 ft. "Ghneenoe" from which, I think, the RiverHawk is cloned.  Looks and specifications appear identical.  Got mine in '86 and it's still in good shape.  BUT, it is of light construction which must be considered in rocky or stump filled waters!  I go SLOW in such places to avoid punching holes in the very thin hull.

It is rated for three persons.  Ok, but at least one of them should be under 30 pounds or don't install an electric motor and battery.  I and my fishing buddy total about 400 lb, including the weights of the electric stuff and tackle.  We only have about 4 inches of free board at the transom, we MUST turn the bow into any oncoming wakes or waves or sink!

Power with a 5 hp motor was so poor it couldn't plane with just me on board.  So, I hung a 15 hp, electric start Johnson on it.  Now performance is good and is safe if driven intelligently.  Top speed over calm surfaces is around 18 mph but I am very cautious and slow down in any degree of surface action, that light hull really flexes a lot, but it plans and handles moderately stormy waters pretty well at 10-12 mph.  And that's important when you have such limited freeboard!  I am sure it would have swamped and sunk seveal times when things got a little rough if it had still been powered by the puny little 5 hp it's rated for.

That "reverse tumble-home" shape at the bow is, in my opinion, silly.  It makes for an unnecessarily wet ride for the guy up front in any kind of chop AND each time we drop down from a plane.  

It is fairly easy for two of us to work it from a pickup IF the motors and battery are removed first.  I usually haul it on an 8ft. flat bed utility trailer with add-on bunks and a lengthened tongue; I can drive it on just as I do my full size bass boat!  

They can be quite versatile.  I've added auto bilge and live well pumps, night running lights, compass, LCD finder with speedometer, trolling motor and padded swivel seats.  I also "jacked" up the motors, the big one about 3 inches and the electric about 8 inches to reduce drag while planning.  Over all, it now carries about everything my in Ranger but it's all much closer together!  It is a fun little rig when used within reasonable limits.

So, IF you want to work small waters and are a cautious boater, the basic RiverHawks will likely do a fair job at minimum cost after you spend the time and money to rig it out.  Otherwise, ... maybe not.  

IF I had it to do over, I woundn't, I'd get a small Vee hull aluminum boat instead.  Much tougher hull, more room, drier ride, more freeboard, generally safer, etc.   Would you want to buy mine? One owner, low miles!   :D
Common sense is an uncommon virtue