Swift water crossing

[Roadtorque]

I was just watching some youtube of ATV's crossing some swift rivers and it got me thinking. Assuming the river was shallow enough for ATV wheels to stay grounded and the engine running would it cross better than an AATV? It seems to me like it would for two reasons. The ATV has speed and doesnt want to try and float. Anyway thought I would toss the questions out to the pros

[brushcutter]

Roadtorque, generally our machines are not suited for swift water, because of their ability to float. Anytime the creeks are out of banks I don't go into water deep enough to float, never know where you will end up, or what position. Maybe some of the guys that run outboards will weigh in.

[lewis]

Outboard motor

Hi guys, since i have done a bit of lake time thought i would reply to this question. I have about 6 or 8 hours on the lake with the Avenger.

The outboard does give you a lot more speed and handling. I take mine to the lake with the wife and dogs. I have a 9.9 4 stroke Mariner and it works great. Swift, how swift is swift? There is probably are a lot of opinions of Swift. Over flowing creeks are not the place for outboard engines or anything else. Wrapping up a prop or a engine shutdown would be bad news, life or death may be a different thing. I try to stay away from those situations.

Even with the outboard you will not set any speed records with it. They are mostly for calmer waters in my opinion. My machine does draw a crowd when i take it to the lake and just drive in. People think i have some kind of JEEP

Mariner BMotor.JPG

[Roadtorque]

This is the clip I was watching. I hope Rockdoctor doesnt mind as it is one of his. When I am stuck at work I attempt to dull the pain by living vicariously through his videos. Anyway, simple question. Would you follow these ATVs in your AATV?

[kahn]

Swift Water!!

I'm like a lot of the rest, I try and stay out of swift water. Might see the wrong end up!

[trebmaster]

I would take my big foot through any thing i saw on vid,I might end up down river a little ferther then the quads but like wipper says "drive it like its a rental"

[countrycummins99]

funny

i think its hilarious how that quad was slipping and sliding over that little log that we could of drove right over without an issue lol

[LarryW]

I would take my big foot through any thing i saw on vid,I might end up down river a little ferther then the quads but like wipper says "drive it like its a rental"

Trust me, Trebmaster is serious with that quote!!!

I have witnessed.

[Rock Doctor]

It's not really comparable, but here is a clip of us crossing a deep, fast creek with Argos. Not comparable becouse this creek is slower, shallower, and narrower than most of the creeks in the Quad vid. I don't know how many times I swam a rope across this creek when the water was really high, but in this clip it's JUST at the point where running a winchline is a good idea. Good, becouse the next place that you would be able to exit this creek is almost 10 miles downstream, if you miss that spot, you will have about 90miles to the next one lol
How many of us carry a paddle in our AATV's? I don't, but a rifle stock works in a pinch

The first 2 Argo's went across the day before the next 2 Argo's. The water dropped enough over night that the Avenger driver with me didn't bother with a safety line. He was lucky, he lost traction for a moment, and I thought he was headed for the next trail, but he only floated for a moment before touching down and making it across. I had him holding the safety line for me, but you can see that it never really gets tight, I think I would have made it without as well

[lewis]

Didn't see anything there overly scary but the best one to ask would be Rock Doctor. Some of his videos have him crossing water that seems to be much swifter and they made it. Some teamwork may be involved with this type of crossing. The new Argo tires may help in this type of situation but haven't tried it.

[philipatmaxfour]

Creek Crossing

I was just watching some youtube of ATV's crossing some swift rivers and it got me thinking. Assuming the river was shallow enough for ATV wheels to stay grounded and the engine running would it cross better than an AATV? It seems to me like it would for two reasons. The ATV has speed and doesnt want to try and float. Anyway thought I would toss the questions out to the pros

I would cross that creek towing a quad and pushing an ice flow. b. John schwab had to stop filming at the Ledges after he went to the trouble of getting to the creek crossing early to film the AATVs crossing because the first arrival was a quad that sunk! then called for help! The AATVs all made it safely.

[Rock Doctor]

I had to call in a favor to get my friends and family across the creek (in the vid I posted), a couple weeks before. Through my work, I have friends in high places lol.
Just like hills, I don't think a camera does justice to the water conditions. Not to mention the handling of an Argo in water when fully loaded with gear and your entire family, one of which is still buckled into a baby seat
lol
On a side note, it takes me an average of 2hrs to make the trip in my Argo. It takes almost 2.5 minutes to make it in the A-Star.

[lewis]

top: All i can say.

[coosaridgerider]

Hi roadtorque,I creek ride in the summer on a preety challenging creek on quads.The reason they do beter in swift water is the simple fact that water can flow trough the frame.I ride a polaris sportsman 700 with extras weighs900#,As long as i don't let the water get over the racks it does really good.
This is my first 6 wheeler,Haven't taken it to the creek yet but i don't believe it would make it back up stream as good as the quad because you have to stay in running water for long distances at a time.Every type of atv has it's goods and bads.As long as your out riding and having fun choice of atv does not matter to me.I'm a dedicated rider,Almost every weekend so i know that there is no perfect machine.If anyone can find one please tell me what it is.

[kahn]

I wanna go!!!

Rock Doctor - I wanna come up there and play. Thats just TOOOOO KOOOLLLLL!!