Boat and bad weather question

[AllenW]

The 185 Alumacraft Tourney Sport I have now is a bit bigger than my older 16' Fisher and I'm finding I can get out when the weather is far worse than the old boat, but did have a few questions, what's the best way to attack rougher weather, bow raised or lowered, things like that?

Had most of that figured with the old boat, but this new one handles waves that the old one wasn't happy in and seems to be a different ballgame.

tia
Al

[bluegill 1]

Go slow

[AllenW]

Go slow


Well in the old boat that was the only safe option, but I see boats like mine running in the rougher (to me) waters and doing fine, just wondering how they're set up and such.
I don't mean 4-5 footers or more, just the smaller stuff
I figure I'll figure it out sooner or later, but I'd like to shorten the learning curve a bit.

But yes, going slow is what I do now.. :)

Al

[San Chan]

Well in the old boat that was the only safe option, but I see boats like mine running in the rougher (to me) waters and doing fine, just wondering how they're set up and such.
I don't mean 4-5 footers or more, just the smaller stuff
I figure I'll figure it out sooner or later, but I'd like to shorten the learning curve a bit.

But yes, going slow is what I do now.. :)

Al


I dont' know if I am doing it right but I take them head on 3 footers and 4500Rpm if I have to ran fast......but thats rushing back to the Weight-in........normally I will just ran slow and enjoy my smoke.

[Tim Ellis]

Go slow and learn how to quarter the waves with the boat.

[AllenW]

Ya going slow is my first choice, but I'm thinking that time your across the lake and you see lighting coming your way, then I'd like to go as fast as I can safely.

Tim, you mean going at a 45 degree angle to the waves??

Al

[TomP.]

If it is rough out I keep my trim down more then normal. Running high trim will lift the bow more and slap the waves harder.
With trim down it lets the bow cut the wave instead of going over.

[KHedquist]

Time on the water, I guess for me I find a slight positve trim and a speed I can be comortable without jaring.

BTW pm your # I switched phones:fishhit:

[Smitty]

I'd agree with trimming down more than usual and letting the bow cut the waves instead of banging them harder. On the 45 degree quartering waves thing, for me that's more for BIG waves and not those you're actually trying to "run" in. If I'm going to put the boat on plane in waves I'd rather be in line with them (directly into or with them) than at an angle. Easier to get thrown around with cross waves when you're running higher speeds.

[bob oh]

Don't hit them head on! You need to find your boat's comfort zone and I'll bet it isn't 45 degrees off the wave. Start in waves that you can take head on and with a bit of a jar. Get on plane and pay attention to how the boat feels. Now start playing wih the tabs, find the spot that feels best. Now slowly steer the boat right or left of head on and find he angle that the boats likes best -- ie smallest amount of jarring. Next time you have a chance at bigger waves try that approximate angle and trim and see how it feels. Move the bow right or left and notice the change. You will find the spot (may have to make minor adjustments. When you find waves that just plain beat you up, slow down or stay off the lake. Taking waves head on can eventurallylead you to spear one and that can be very dangerous. if you just want to keep the water off you, raise the bow and slow way down, but still find the right angle. Everyone says quarter the waves -- thus the 45 degrees -- but I've never found that to work very well. Long winded so I hope it makes sense :-)

Bob

[Dodge1]

Sometimes going faster in semi-rough conditions provides a smoother ride then by going slow. The key here is to have the ability to bridge the troughs with your boat, via either your boats length and/or increasing your speed. The only way to learn how your particular boat will respond in these types of conditions is to increase your speed, while using your trim to lower the bow, without being beat to a pulp. It’s sort of like driving on dirt road that’s got a lot of small ruts; if you go slow you and your vehicle get beaten up but by going a little faster the ride smooth’s out.

FYI, quartering (taking the waves at an angle) when it’s really rough is a good practice to learn but in these types of conditions you also need to slow down. When it’s so rough that you have a death grip on the wheel and memories of your childhood are rapidly flashing by the best course of action is to slow way down, raise the bow, keep your hand on the throttle (to have the ability to instantly adjust your speed) and quarter into the waves with just enough angle and speed to ride over them. Boating in these conditions can be a real pucker tester and should be avoided at all costs because you and your boat can take an unintentional dump at the same time ;)

[AllenW]

Good stuff guys, thanks, this should cut the learning curve down by quite a bit.
I'll have to wait for a windy day and play a bit, but at least I have a good start..once again, thanks all

Al

[mcdee]

It only takes 5 min to figure out the smoothest line! And it's 90 degree's to the waves !