CajunPete wrote:
A few questions about the pa14. I've read a few reviews on the pa14 in rivers, how is the md up river? ive only read about how great it was going down river. On a river like the Kaskaskia in illinois (10 min from my home) could one navigate up and down river without excessive effort?
I've had my PA 14 on the Illinois river in various places between Channahon and Peoria, and never had a problem pedaling up-river - with one exception. That was on Wightman lake (a backwater of the Illinois near near Lacon). The wind was very strong from the north that day (waves constantly breaking over the bow), and recent floods had the water up higher than normal. We crossed the river into the head of Sawyer Slough, not realizing that the current into the slough was very strong. We had to peddle like mad for awhile to get back out onto the river proper. Once back in the normal river current all we had to contend with was wind. The waves were actually quite fun!
I put close to 75 miles on the Illinois River last summer, though, and that was the only day where I had any difficulty with the current. I've also been on the Rock River in the area of Castle Rock State Park. The current is a bit faster there, and we had to work somewhat hard to go upstream.
I'm a big guy and not in great shape, but I can easily maintain 2.5-3 mph with the Mirage drive pretty much all day long. So any current less than that is workable.
Now, the Kankakee river, that one flows pretty fast. I don't think I'd even attempt it in the Pro Angler, unless I had a motor or sail.