Minimal depth to run FSH in?

[Matt Wetzel]

Realistically, what is the minimum depth I can run in without risking the impeller with sand, rocks, mud, etc?

I've been looking at navigation charts and I'd like to get somewhat skinny chasing after Reds.

Please advise

 

[SoftballBryan]

When it goes below the top of my shin, I turn around...

 

[veedubtek]

Somewhere around 1'8" or so I see mud clouds forming and I start to panic to find an exit strategy.

 

[Earfixr]

How fast do you want to go shallow? 18" with the trolling motor chasing reds all day, full fuel load, 3 adult anglers, full ice chests, full live bait well. You'll know when it gets to 14-16" and the boat stops. A slow stuck makes getting un-stuck easy with a little more trolling motor. Now if you're on plane and get skinny you will be there a while waiting for SeaTow. I've run in 16-18" of water but stayed on plane. You can take off in 18" easy because of the inline thrust and no stern squat like prop boat experiences. It looks like a 180hp salad shooter in shallow mud/grass.

 

[swatski]

I would say a lot depends on where you are and what do you know about the type of the bottom you are dealing with. If mud or silt and you are familiar with the area 16-18" on plane is plenty of depth.
But once there is any chance of finding rocks/gravel I would not want to be in less than 3ft. I never start those engines and/or run in reverse if there is any chance of gravel in less than about 3ft (these pumps are like vacuum cleaners and it is easy to ruin the impeller or even wear ring).