running in rough water

[John]

In the engine and boats group, the question of which boat is dryer/smoother/rides better comes up every now then. Often an answer includes: "It depends on how well the pilot handles the boat..."

Well, how should you handle the boat? Teach me (all of us) to be an excellent rough water pilot. Go ahead and describe your scenarios and how they should be handled.

I'll seed the conversation with this that I have learned: Trim the boat down. You don't want to throw the bow up as you crest a wave as it will come crashing down into the next wave.

John

[Ness]

This could be an interesting post if you'd get a
few responses. At least, novice that I am, I'd
considering it an interesting post :-) but in all
honestly I've already learned to trim down in rougher water. So guys give me some tips I haven't learned yet. Come on, don't be shy, all
you big strong Captain types...lol

[bglenn]

No one ever showed me I have learned by try and fail. I run a 16 ft 98' explorer ss w/ a 40 horse elpt on mille lacs. I have learned to 1/4 the waves if you can I've also found triming the motor out and keeping the nose of the boat up when heading into waves is best. trim the motor to far in and you will dunk the nose of the boat under water and also a wet ride I trim the motor as far out as I can to stay dry and let the nose of the boat crest over the waves. speed slow 5-10 mph max for my boat if any faster it gets harry. I do it this way when in 3-6 ft waves if it's wrong PLEASE LET ME KNOW I LOVE LIFE!!! The method I have explaned is self tought and it seems to work i.e it's never failed me "yet"... anyway I'm still learning and would like some tips...

thanks in advance

[Robertp]

I agree with this post. Quartering the waves is the way I do it. I too trim out to keep the bow up, or if I'm lucky, I have my fat a## buddy with me and he just sits in the back. That always trims it nicely. I will go a mile, or better, then turn and quarter in the opposite direction. Speed is also important. I constantly keep adding, or pulling back, on the throttle, to keep boat from slapping, and try to maintain the same speed as the waves so that you go to the trough and ride the next to the crest instead of it breaking over top of you.

[fordnut]

A lot depends on the boat that you are in. All boats do not handle the same. A lighter boat may not handle quartering as well as others. My point is you can be quartering a wave and get thrown completely sideways instead of capping beside you it is capping in your boat. A good captain will read each wave different as no two waves are the same. just my 2 cents worth.

[jeff reed]

You got it RIGHT. Too bad those two guys in the Ranger at the Wave Wackers Tourney that sunk their boat didnt read your post.

[Dodge 1]

Been quartering the waves and keeping the motor trimmed out for lord knows how long. Needless to say I also keep my hand on the throttle and play with the speed to match conditions.

While it may be nice to watch someone busting waves, I'll take the extra 15 minutes and keep my back in alignment. lol

[jeff reed]

Yea Buddy, You done said it All!!!

[FROGMAN]

Many years ago (more than I care to admit now!), when I first started fishing the walleye tournament circuits, I was discussing this very topic with a fellow angler from Minnesota. He and his partner, and my partner and I were setting down to dinner at a well known restaurant after a brutal day one on Saginaw Bay. Professional Walleye fishing was just coming into it's own, and there were many types of boats being used at the time, including the brand new Skeeter walleye boat with 135 horses on the back! My dinner companion offered up this advice which has served me well all these years. I qoute, "It doesn't matter what kind of motor or rig you have, if the waves are big NOBODY is going to go fast"! As far as I'm concerned that is the whole secret to running in rough water. Don't try to go too fast, and as the earlier post states, watch each wave they are different. Oh, by the way, my in-sightful dinner companion many years ago was none other than..........Gary Roach!
Good Luck, and Good Fishing! FROGMAN

[Hans]

I spent 21 years sailing in pointy grey boats for Uncle Sam, and have seen 70-footers (waves, not boats). The key phrase used by all real seaman is "meet the sea in such a fashion that your waterline is flat to the water". You don't want to crest a wave, or straddle two waves.

In short period seas, this means that quartering is a good strategy, so long as you have enough steering power not to go broadside. Watch your freeboard on the rolls.

In longer period seas, meeting the seas in a more straight-on attitude to minimize rolling.

Hans

PS: In heavy water, all hulls become displacement hulls.

[Earlybird]

Jeff,
Did that happen to be the tournament in Sturgeon Bay WI.? My wife knows a guy who sunk his brand new bass boat this spring.:(

[Scott]

Good point. Just goes to show, for rough water, it's best to prop for low end for control. Also another good reason to max out the HP on your rig when buying new. Having too much HP is like having too many bites or too much money.....no such thing.

[jeff reed]

Good Advice....because it WORKS. If you go TOO FAST BECAUSE YOUR LATE YOU END UP LIKE GREG HOROKY AND GET YOUR BOAT SUNK TOO.

[JEFF REED]

Yea buddy....I'll vote for that.

[Phil T.]

Low speed control is an excellent excuse to try a 4-bladed prop, even a plastic composite one. Comprops make very good spare props, and are better in nasty water than any 3-blade.

[Hans]

Comp-props aren't worth carrying home free from a garage sale, and are ESPECIALLY poor candidates for reliability in heavy seas. One little nick under power, and they're toast.

Hans

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[mlc]

Hans, ole buddy, you got it wrong, wrong, wrong. You did not sail in a boat. Any sub sailor will tell you that you sailed in a TARGET!!!!!!!!!!!

It's either a submarine or a target.

Good fishin.

mlc