Ep:23/28 "...then the weather started getting rough" (The Shanty Boat Beagle Adventure)

For any shanty boat captain, Mobile bay looms on the mind for the entire trip. We knew it could be done (Wayne Diaries did it in far less of boat) I would suggest taking all the time you need to pick the best day possible--and don't put 350 extra pounds on the either :)
Thank you so much for coming along.
--Back Waters Brenton
PayPal Link: www.paypal.com...

[@davidnaismith2326]

The cardinal rule I always see pontoon boats violating is distributed your weight. When you are crossing a large body, get that scooter off the front deck. Bring it into the cabin and lash it down with the weight in the center. As a last resort, toss it over the side. Also, you need some large scuppers to get that water off the deck immediately. You can cover them on the outside with a rubber flap that will work as a one way valve.

[@phillippmorris4109]

glad to see you back on the water and sharing youe exciting and detail informational video safe and enjoyable adventures ahead

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thanks Phillipp ;) I can see the end of the adventure coming up (Carrabelle) I need to catch some fish before this wraps up! Stay tuned

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

Ya the neighbors will love the dog barking won't they? Mobile Bay as in Mobile Al.? If that is salt water that will not go well for the scooter or any motorcycle. Those three gallon buckets are not going to help things out if they get full of water too. Extra 120 pounds up there. And you were talking about taking it to the Bahamas out in the ocean. Not me. Need to tie the wheel off until you get that weight off the front end and put more midship or even in the back so the bow will be up higher and stop the water from coming over the bow. Need more holes in the skirting to let that water out faster too.

[@allhorses50]

Wow, that was exhilarating! Gilligan's Island theme music was a nice touch, I actually lol'd! Glad to hear you made it. Wavey must be happy 🐶

[@dwartfarquart9590]

If you want to drain the deck faster, mount the rails on blocks of 1 inch aluminum square tubing and wrap the front with a 3 inch long rubber curtain mounted to the botton tube of the rail to block water from coming in and allow fast drainage out if some comes over the top of the skirting.

[@glenwprice6684]

Wild ride! Be Careful! Safe travels! Do so enjoy your videos! Travel On!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thanks Glen;) I think that was the last open water spot to worry about. Mostly protected ICW the rest of the way to Carrabelle ;)

[@glenwprice6684]

I will be keeping you in my prayers for a safe trip! Oh and Life is too short to sit on the porch! Got to push the limits! Later Backwater!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@glenwprice6684 thanks Glen, prayers are welcome with me ;)

[@bigalsoutdoorexcursions1885]

Boy you had me on edge there for a minute! I know how the water can get. I was thinking while I was watching, man I know he made it or we would not be seeing the video but I was tensed. Three friends and I was in high sea’s one time and the waves came over the boat and we took on water till we went down it took us 8 hrs to swim to shore thank God we all new how to swim good. I respect the water. Glad to see you back my friend.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Holy buckets! You were in the water for 8 hours? Warm water I hope? That's a story I'd like to hear.

[@bigalsoutdoorexcursions1885]

Back Waters and Back Roads Yes it was in the spring of 1975. I’ll have to call you and tell you the story. I have your number now if it’s the same

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@bigalsoutdoorexcursions1885 Yes, please do. Number is the same. No hurry, I'm just putting my way to Carrabelle at 4 mph ;)

[@haroldpetersen5584]

That's normal for Mobile bay, My son and I came from New Orleans to Dauphin Island 7 to 8 footers strait into 30 mph wind for last 30 miles took 10 1/2 hrs, dam near ran out of gas. The home made Tooty proved sea worthy that day!

[@seanmcgivney7631]

Fantastic! THAT WAS THE MOST ENTERTAINING video I have ever watched on KZbin! The theme from " Gilligans Island" was a hoot. I had no idea the red scooter was a 50 cc, Your are crazy, and marvelous!!! Thank you so much Brento!!!.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Hi Sean, how the heck are you? The hip healing up? How's the farm going? Still looking to get another scooter? Yeah...50cc was a slow trip up, but got me home. I have a 250 on the front now and plan in doing some Florida back roads here soon. Maybe to the keys. ;) catch you later eh

[@dabprod]

Glad to see you back.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

It's good to know someone's paying attention...in case I go missing;) thanks man

[@mikedill7378]

Have some ideas for you...first...move the bike in....more to the back....tilt your engine up more....in case you need to lift the bow.....60 hp....should do it..in the front of your boat....for ruff water....a clear plastic will keep the waves out....hook to your top rails...I'd try rapping the front and sides of the deck...hope I helped

[@seanmcgivney7631]

Hi Brenton , Doing good hip, Is great, like new. Been phasing in the farm here and there. Now a 250, that's a real highway machine. I always wanted to visit the Keys.Mind Wavey, can"t wait for more!!!

[@lhendrix278]

Thanks for the vid. Ole home grounds kinda. Live above Sacramento. Was on beach at Navarra beach on the gulf today. Mild weather.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Howdy, I'll look those spots up. Theres another "Sacramento" from the one in California? I grew up an hour from that one. Wouldn't return for all the tea in China,)

[@outlaw7x77]

I just found your channel today. Kudos to you for doing it. I believe that the best way to travel is usually the cheapest.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

I'd say the same. Some comfort is nice when we get older, but its blown way out of proportion these days. I never felt like I was lacking anything on that trip ;) thanks for watching man

[@cycledaze]

Oh boy! That looked a bit nerve wracking. Throwing the anchor over the side that night mustve been a huge relief. I doubt you will hit water that nasty again but putting the bike in the center of the deck perpendicular to the sides might ve helped. You would've needed one of those thingies to hold the front wheel in place though. PFD'S please! You scared me. Safe travels Brenton. Have fun!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Wavey is wondering if she could spend the rest of the winter hanging out with you? ;) homemade dog food is a must though

[@cycledaze]

@@backwatersandbackroads of course she can. Lol

[@wizardman42]

Green plastic pipe makes excellent rub rail .ment for high pressure water real tuff

[@johnjohnson8700]

Hey bud just re watching this gem. Love the Mobile Bay area iv got some folks down in fairhope! Made me think of it since I saw "Fairhope" on your GPS. Anyways keep on choochin in the free world.

[@everchevy]

Well Brenton. You gave me flash backs to when my grandson and I finished our Wabash River trip in October. The rough water looks just like what we experienced when we got onto the Ohio River. It was a trip he will never forget. I will send you a video by text. Good to see you back on the water and safe. You have to have a little excitement along the way.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Awesome. I received the video and figuring out how to play it. Thanks! :)

[@edfrhes]

You did fine. Much less stressful it things are not flying around the boat. If I remember correctly you have protected water until Destin. Pick a nice day for the open water parts of adventure is about all you can do. Will the scooter fit through the door?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thanks Bubba, I agree...picking days is about the only control one has here. There was only one spot that had me worried, when the entire nose buried into the wave and the outboard screamed. Stayed at Lulu's last night. Putting on shortly. ;)

[@thesamsons9683]

Mobile Bay light house if no one said. Also the CG aviation training center is in Mobile. They practice over the bay all day.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I just watched and subscribed and will go back to ep 1, thumbs up!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thank you. Welcome! Another shanty build up and trip coming...,)

[@RichTravel1010]

Love the theme music

[@raybrdjr]

that house in the bay is Middle Bay Lighthouse. Google some older ics to get a before and after visual!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

I was surprised to see it. I'd live there :)

[@raybrdjr]

Brenton, if you would have raised the trim on your motor it would lift the bow of the boat to manipulate them waves try it next time on any boat. I crossed dauphin island to bayou la bare in a bass boat way rougher than that. my girlfriend didn't have a clue what I was doing wasn't prudent..lol! I had that 17ft bass boats 150 hp motor jacked up and rode a wheelie across the bay...haha! also, the earlier you cross in the day, before the sun creates wind the better you are (unless its a front that creates wind).

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Good advice! ;) thank you

[@raybrdjr]

@@backwatersandbackroads , yes sir! plus the slower you go in those rough seas the more you get beat around. its always best to find just enough speed to ride em with the motor trimmed up, although ive never operated a pontoon boat id have to get a feel for it but know it could be done. my friend is a dr and he owns a fancy pontoon boat and takes his shit to the oil rigs in the gulf...haha!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@raybrdjr catamaran hulls are very capable! :)

[@williamjordan811]

Well that was different! haha... Glad to see you're back. Thanks for sharing truly an adventure... Cheers and God bless

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thanks William. ;)

[@doc8683]

I hope you have a good bilge pump. I’d personally have at least two.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

I do. One auto and one manual

[@markJones38133]

Dude, that trip look scary on the boat. I have 2 Yamaha wave ventures jet ski, I take them to the ocean 3 to 4 time a yr. not to mention a couple big lakes. I have had waves to almost knock me off the ski.

[@davecarter34]

Drop the mirrors off and move the scooter from the bow to the center or maybe the stern. I have small runabout and its amazing the difference in ride when moving people or gear around.

[@billybell5286]

Brenton any time you have shollow water and opsoing tide and wind any where on the loop or earth it is bad.Hi from north Carolina. Just found your stuff bud and am really impressed of your undertaking. Keep em coming.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thank you! I love getting feedback. These little boats can take a lot more weather than people think.

[@cliffandrews]

Started watching your adventure yesterday at Ep:9 and continuing to watch them today. That a journey !

[@justindrake6161]

My wife and I get into bed for the evening. She turns the news on for the weather forecast and I turn on you tube to watch your past videos...

[@markmoffett6813]

WOW , I was nervous for you two and I was just laying on the couch

[@gemfaceter]

Glad you made it ok thanks for a great video that didn't look like water it looked like mud.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thanks for watching my little adventures flyer ;)

[@LOJOMarine]

Man what a ride did the box and grill slide out the open door. with me not having as much experience as you do I would have never made it Ha I know you told me about it on the phone but it looked worse than you said. but glad your ok we got about 6 inches of snow Friday night and supposed to snow all day Saturday the 12th the KC game starts at 3:35 pm going to set inside and eat chicken wings and drink beer Be safe will talk soon.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Howdy Lloyd, yeah....we went be seeing the yellow case in the scenes anymore! Lol. Dumb of me not to have brought it inside. :( I think I got enough snow over Christmas to last me the winter,) talk to you sooner eh

[@PidasianHippie]

Welcome back Brendon! I hope you had a wonderful time with family for the holidays. The bigger scooter must have made the trip back to the boat much easier. Wow! Those waters were scary for your crossing. You handled it like a Boss! I hope your trip has gone well since the crossing. I am behind on my videos but I will eventually catch up. Safe travels!

[@desertdanblacksmith1394]

Holy Crap Gilligan! Those rollers reminded me of "Deadliest Catch" crabbers! You need a better anchor rope....get some before you need it....Replace that other anchor also?

[@clayholliman3724]

Dang man im at 15:52 and im about to dail 911 for you lol you worry me ! ! !

[@waterdog1580]

That was a really exciting video. I'm glad you were able to get to keep going. I was a nervous wreck watching you. You seem to be very calm in the video. Hope you don't have any more rides like that.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Hi Eric, it was pretty white knuckle for sure. I'm glad that passage is over. I've heard the bay near Pensacola can be similar, so I'm going to time that right also (or try to) ;)

[@_onesimpleidea]

Educational, and a bit hair-raising. Two thumbs up for the 7am idea. ICW - Intr_a_coastal (not "inter"). intra = within. Very common mistake. (just doing my part to help ;-) I'm sure you said somewhere along the way, but can you say now ... what was the length of that pontoon shanty boat?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@_onesimpleidea howdy. Thank you for the correction. That boat was 26x8.6 catamaran cruiser

[@FradyKatt]

my experience with 4 and 2 strokes it takes a 60 hp 4 to do the job of a 40 2 so keep that in mind also plus 1/2 the weight on a 2 stroke..

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Yes! But 4 stroke gets twice the MPGs and no mixy

[@gstone42]

Holy Cow man...you drove all way home from FLA on that scooter with wavey in a duffel on the floorboard?

[@dale3858]

That's the worst place on any small boat for a scooter to be stored in any sort of sea. In this case it would be better off on the port side with the heaviest end of the bike toward the center of the pontoon. Then try to offset that port side weight with other equipment on the starboard side. Always try to keep heavy items off the ends of the boat. Cool videos!!!

[@maggieward1892]

And neither of you puked at any time? Brown stripes? Yikes a tribute goes out to the fine builder of the shanty that obviously did hold together.

[@MS-hp9om]

Awesome

[@RichTravel1010]

When you upload your videos try POP under the magic wand when you upload to KZbin. Your colors look decent but it might help a little more. It ads new dimension to the videos. Your colors look good but it might help more.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Okay. I'll look that up. Thanks man ;)

[@texasbk1333]

🛟 May Day~ May Day ~ Whew! What a Wavey Ride! 🛥️ 🌊 🤢 🐶

[@dalaillamathepctme6957]

Brenton, I'm wondering why you didn't move the scooter into the center of the cabin so the weight was more evenly placed (like a second person) instead of riding on the bow and dropping it into the waves.Also wondering why you chose to cross all that open water of the bay instead of crossing over at Mobile and hugging the east coast down to the ICW? Great job getting across! So relieved you made it!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Howdy, it would have been a good idea. That scooter was quite a bit heavier than the 49cc I started with. I did have to move it to the middle later when I grounded near Panama city beach. Thank you for watching

[@lakemeadguy5621]

great job

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thanks Michael ;)

[@curtismarean6963]

congrats on your big water crossing!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

That was a long nail biting day Curtis! ;)

[@jmichna1]

Well, now my Friend... doin' any re-thinkin' about that Ontonagon-to-Isle Royale 65+ mile open water Beagle crossing on Lake Superior? ;)

[@cycledaze]

Lol, he should be rethinking it. He will just have to ride along with us.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Hi John, why yes I an rethinking making that trip with the shanty ;)

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@cycledaze even caravanning over would be fun ;)

[@tomcop668]

I'm glad you're back! Your adventure is my favorite thing to watch on youtube. Do you think the salt water is going to hurt anything on your scooter? Stay safe!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Hi Tom, thanks for putting up with me. I didn't edit this one much hoping to be helpful to future shanty boat captains. I can't imagine the salt water is helping the scooter much. It's my beater battle scooter, it's been through hell already,)

[@Lk4ahro]

Make ur front deck expanded metal so water falls through. What sort of fuel consumption do u get?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

That's not a bad idea. I mostly went really slow on this trip and got amazing MPGs. Spent about 450 dollars on fuel over 3.5 months.

[@Lk4ahro]

@@backwatersandbackroads cool I've been planning something similar

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@Lk4ahro best adventure ever man

[@Lk4ahro]

@@backwatersandbackroads I actually think any deck not part of house might be expanded metal so u cant be boarded by a following wave. Throw astro turf onit to avoid losing little pieces.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

@@Lk4ahro The best part about a shanty boat is....almost anything goes :) Have you seen Wayne Diaries legendary trip?

[@ES-xc6fk]

Was beginning to wonder when you were heading south, wonder how that trip was? Wondered if you ever keep in touch by email with any of the followers that have similar interests as you? Say Hi to Wayne for me if you talk to him, you seem like a good caring friend.

[@tomirwin4819]

How much water was in the bilge after this crossing? Auto bilge pumps I hope..

[@backwatersandbackroads]

The design of this boat doesn't allow water into the hulls. The water that makes it on deck rolls off

[@littledeel]

What a terrible boat choice for this specific journey. Haha! Love the content though. Maybe a mesh floor up front with a Velcro carpet that can be rolled up would be nice and nifty. That way ZERO water can stay up in the front? I’m not sure though.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Hi Joe, this particular part of the trip would have been better serviced by a different boat ;) but the rest of it was the perfect boat for the job. Thanks for watching eh ;)

[@ang8158]

Just curious, does Wavey ever get sea sick or does she have her "sea paws"😄 pretty use to the waves and whatnot?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

She's pretty good at going anywhere, on anything. I take her on my motorcycles, boats, cars, laps...just don't leave her home! :) Thanks for watching

[@jimmarplediy2024]

Can you hear me laugh my ass off in shear terror!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MrJeffDemme]

Where are you headed? I live in Riverview, FL off of Tampa Bay. Are you coming this far?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Hi Jeff, I'm headed to Carrabelle. Currently tied up to a state park dock on the Florida/Alabama line. Looks like the wind shifted to following seas today :)

[@fritters56]

in most of the sailing vids I watch, you can't really tell how big the waves are or how rough it is...You can here, I had to skip to the end....yep the dog survived....lol

[@backwatersandbackroads]

I can't lose my Gilligan! Lol ;)

[@rhettbutler3525]

Hey that's home.

[@gstone42]

Mobile bay crossing was scary as hell

[@arlanmontgomery7830]

That'll get your blood movin'!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

And rattle your cage! Lol ;) get your boat done buddy

[@c39v26]

How fast were you going,to fast for me under the circumstances 😵

[@texasbk1333]

When did you realize you’d lost your grill? At the time or afterwards?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

I think I saw it go off the side in real time ;) that yellow case was handy too

[@phillippmorris4109]

why did you change bikes and did you ride it back down 49

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Howdy Phillipp, I want to do some looking around Florida down here before heading back home to Michigan in the spring. A bigger 250 is a lot more useful for that. ;)

[@phillippmorris4109]

sounds like a plan shine on@@backwatersandbackroads

[@jholan3]

The bay looks a lot like Lake Erie muddy looking and rough.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

I've heard that joe. That's a shallow lake...can't help with the wave action

[@philharris349]

That's Middle Bay Lighthouse.... Been there since just after the Civil war

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Wow! No kidding. Is it still used? Thank you for that

[@philharris349]

@@backwatersandbackroads , up until about 20 years ago...

[@texasbk1333]

🌊 🏠 🌊 🧐 Private House out in the middle of the Bay …? ~ Is that possible …? 😮

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Someone informed me it's an old lighthouse. That would be remote living;)

[@gregmueller2265]

Its a pontoon boat, you will be fine

[@pwb0511]

Radio handy, mayday, mayday, mayday, going down, SOS?

[@Hugh-Glass]

shame that the railings don't have a watertight skirt.

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Super shanty will! Spring 2020

[@Hugh-Glass]

@@backwatersandbackroads awesome. btw..im glad you know what freedom is. live it brother.

[@Hugh-Glass]

@@backwatersandbackroads and thanks for the efforts you are taking. you are showing lots of people what life is supposed to look like, entertaining to boot.

[@ALayne08]

Let me get this straight, you were in a shipping channel with a pontoon house boat? I made the mistake once and trusted someone to take me across the marina, But this fool headed out into the shipping channel getting close enough to the barges that I could see the chips of paint that it had lost (way too close). Needless to say, the Coast Guard pulled us, we boarded them and I told everything from the start, including the fact that the flat bottom boat he was driving was not even his 😲. That is why I will never board another boat, Ever! Have fun. I will just keep watching your other videos and not the one's on the water. Take care!

[@backwatersandbackroads]

The "cuts" out there are plenty big for ships and boats to pass each other and stay out of each others way. It's not as dangerous as it sounds or may seem, though I did have a few close calls. Thanks for watching :)

[@ALayne08]

@@backwatersandbackroads At least you're a better driver than I had, lol. Happy New Year

[@johndavidgillies3223]

I don't understand why you would think to put extra weight on the front of your boat???? Also, why would you cross the center most rough area of the bay????🤓

[@backwatersandbackroads]

That was the second scooter I had up there. Needed a bigger one for some trips coming. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing....somehow survived. ;) even had a coast guard helicopter hovering around all day. What a day.

[@adonaiyahteemann4030]

I have an 08 jonway gator

[@robertthompson9455]

Bigger heavier scooter, why ?....

[@backwatersandbackroads]

To explore at faster than 25 mph ;) I rode that one to St Augustine and back several times.

[@patanthony9286]

You need a button that changes from flat to v hull, just joking

[@backwatersandbackroads]

That would be handy :)

[@patanthony9286]

What happened to the inflatable boat?

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Which one? On the Shanty beagle? It was always there, we just used the kayak. On the Beagle Barge, we deflated it and used a kayak. Now we have a Portland Pudgy

[@gangsterghost7200]

Hi

[@shanebeaudrot777]

I would be, so selling Buick's before I'd make it across the bay. 🤢🤮

[@maryburt3114]

It is a bird house sanuary

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Thank you Mary ;)

[@ahk0341]

That's supposed to be a shanty boat, not a submarine bro hahabaha 😂😂

[@backwatersandbackroads]

That was a scary day, but only in hindsight;) there's a line in a song, "I was only a kid, didn't know enough to be afraid." I wasn't a kid (45 I think) buy definitely didn't know enough;) God always looks after fools

[@ahk0341]

LOL I know thats right! Just turned 40 this year and sometimes wondering, "why am i doing this knowing darn well its not a good idea?" HAHA @@backwatersandbackroads

[@slimturner9711]

Mark 4:39

[@backwatersandbackroads]

Very fitting. Thank you.

[@farmer998]

bike on the front is the total problem

[@backwatersandbackroads]

It certainly didn't help! Lol ;)