We headed off to Hidden Lake for some relaxing boat camping with the new puppy. Leaving Kenai the weather wasn't looking favorable but upon reaching Sterling Alaska it had cleared up and the rain had stopped. We arrived at the boat launch at around 9 AM and were under way by 10. Hidden Lake is a federal campground and there was no launch fee nor parking fee. This was a real nice surprise as most all State of Alaska Campgrounds have raised there fees over the winter.
The lake was calm on the lower leg and only a mild northerly chop was present past the first island. We decided to play around for awhile as we tested out the new boat and broke in the new engine. After three hours of idling and light cruising at 2000 rpm we tested the boat for planing times, cruise speeds and full throttle operation.
Getting on step was a breeze but cruise speeds noted the need for 4500 - 4800 RPM to lift the stern. We had been somewhat skeptical about a 90 HP engine on a boat this size and this confirmed our apprehensions when we purchased the boat. With full fuel, 4 people in the boat and gear, there was just to much weight for the small Honda four stroke to push.
We took it easy on the motor and spent most of the time exploring the scenery along the beaches and on the islands. At one such stop along the southern shoreline, I nosed the boat to shore, jumped out and tied of the bow to a stump. There were some twigs on a branch that overhung the bow so I broke them off to allow my wife and kids to get out without scraping their heads. As I broke off thew first branch there was a heavy thud of crushing deadfall directly behind me. I looked at my wife and asked, Did you hear that? The look on here face alone confirmed that she had indeed and I requested rather sternly that she lower and start the engine as I untied the boat and shoved off. Deb backed us away and turned the boat to motored out from shore. Needless to say we went looking for a more open area to get out and stretch our legs.
Hidden Lake is located off Skilak Lake Road on the Kenai Peninsula. This large clear lake is one of the most beautiful on the Kenai and well worth checking into. If camping with a family, don't pass this one by.
The lake was calm on the lower leg and only a mild northerly chop was present past the first island. We decided to play around for awhile as we tested out the new boat and broke in the new engine. After three hours of idling and light cruising at 2000 rpm we tested the boat for planing times, cruise speeds and full throttle operation.
Getting on step was a breeze but cruise speeds noted the need for 4500 - 4800 RPM to lift the stern. We had been somewhat skeptical about a 90 HP engine on a boat this size and this confirmed our apprehensions when we purchased the boat. With full fuel, 4 people in the boat and gear, there was just to much weight for the small Honda four stroke to push.
We took it easy on the motor and spent most of the time exploring the scenery along the beaches and on the islands. At one such stop along the southern shoreline, I nosed the boat to shore, jumped out and tied of the bow to a stump. There were some twigs on a branch that overhung the bow so I broke them off to allow my wife and kids to get out without scraping their heads. As I broke off thew first branch there was a heavy thud of crushing deadfall directly behind me. I looked at my wife and asked, Did you hear that? The look on here face alone confirmed that she had indeed and I requested rather sternly that she lower and start the engine as I untied the boat and shoved off. Deb backed us away and turned the boat to motored out from shore. Needless to say we went looking for a more open area to get out and stretch our legs.
Hidden Lake is located off Skilak Lake Road on the Kenai Peninsula. This large clear lake is one of the most beautiful on the Kenai and well worth checking into. If camping with a family, don't pass this one by.
