Anyone know the approximate draft of a 1999 epic 22 direct drive

[dallasboater]

I can't find any info on the draft of the toyota's  most direct drives are 22-24 inches ?

[eagle1wi]

I would say that my E21 is about that.  The 22 may draft a little lower. 

What do you need to know for? 

If you are in super shallow water there are more considerations than the "spec".

[dallasboater]

My cove is really shallow during the late summer.  i was hoping the draft would be 18-20 inches.  This issue impacts whether i can buy an epic so anyone who has operated one in skinny water pls let me know how shallow you have been able to operate one..

[Bitzco]

So, the last few years here in UT it was a serious drought and all of our lakes were way low. I became an expert at getting my X-22 out despite low water. It was direct drive. The shallowest I was able to get it out was 16 inches. To do that though, I left the engine off and just pushed/pulled it out manually. A pain to do, but I was highly rewarded by being the only boat in the lake. We did actually get it out in one foot of water once but that was with six guys pushing it. The prop was dragging through the mud, so it was a chore. I wouldn't reccomend it. Good luck. I know the manual gives the actual draft, but my boat is in storage and I can't get to the maula easily. Maybe someone else has it handy.

[dallasboater]

Thanks, this is exactly the information i was looking for.  Based on the water in our cove I should buy a seadoo utopia 205 as it only needs 12 inches of water, but i just can't seem to do it.  Once you have owned a direct drive or v-drive it is hard to go back.......

[Rambling Wreck]

I have to agree with Eagle1wi that there are more considerations than draft when in very shallow water. My big concern would be what you might suck up into the cooling system in such shallow water, i.e. sand, silt, sediment, etc. This applies to either vessel you are considering.

[eagle1wi]

As in most things - it depends.  Our house "up north" (Wisconsin) has two boat launches on the lake, one that is rocky and one that is soft.  Last year the water was low so I drove the extra 15 minutes to launch at the "soft" one and walked the boat out.  Underwater gear is expensive so as much as I hate to direct you away from an Epic - it might be the best choice not to have fixed gear.  If you are willing to get in the water with the boat every time you launch and can get to deeper water you may be able to make it work though.  I choose to make it work since our "regular" lake we have no issues with depth.  Either way, you can suck up some bad stuff into the JetBoat as well - they aren't cheap to fix either.

[Lakeside]

Eagle1wi, is Browns Lake near Burlington?

[eagle1wi]

Yes, Burlington township, although the city just incorporated across the street. 

Not a far ride if you live in the Milwaukee area, 45 minutes or so.

[highflyn]

I would say it's about an RCH more then then the cut-through at the Desert Aires boat ramp. What do you think Cal?