Big Water Boating

[HighTechRedneck]

Took my 191 for the first time onto lake michigan and as soon as i got out of the harbor the waves were 3 to 4 footers 15 feet apart. I am new to big water boating and going into the wind at 2 MPH I would take waves over the bow of the boat. Question is would I be nuts for trying to get up on top of the waves at say 20 to 25 MPH or would i just swamp the front end.
Waves like this are the norm and i need to get out 5 to 10 miles to get to the fish.

thanks in advance.

[Lucky]

That's some nasty chop.

You'll take quite a pounding trying to go 20 to 25 in chop like that, but you may find 15 to 18 mph to be pretty comfortable.

The key will be trimming the engine so the bow rides at a good angle to the waves and just clears the top of the next crest so you don't ship water over the bow. Get the bow too high, however, and you'll be slapping the waves with the flattest part of your hull.

You just have to practice and be willing to get a little wet as you learn what speed and trim works best.

BTW, I hope you wear a life jacket (e.g., a self-inflating one) in conditions like that... a surpise wave can quickly put you or your passengers in the water, even if the boat isn't moving.

[rscott]

I boat in the Great Lakes too (Lake Erie), so I know the kind of chop your talking about. First off if your new to this kind of boating now is not the time to learn. Water this cold is very dangerous, the ice just went out a few short weeks ago. What I've found is to throttle up to the point where your bow is high but your not quite on plain either, its a slow go but it doesn't pound and don't get wet. 20 to 25 MPH would just about finish off any kidney/liver function you have left.

[glehav]

i have always been told to hit big waves at a 45 degree angle. you might have to zig zag to your fishing hole but i think it will help keep so much water comeing over the bow. good fishing

[BarryB]

Hi GB,

All are great suggestions. I boat off the SE coast of Florida. During winter, the seas regularly run from 2 to 8 feet and higher in the gulf stream.

I try to keep to 2 - 4 as the max, not because the boat can't handle it, because the ride becomes too tiring. The boat can handle the pounding, but, everything else comes loose. I've tightened all the screws on the deck, CC rail, Bimini top, etc. after a rough ride in the ocean. The passangers don't appreciate it either. With rough seas, I take it slow. riding up the crest and over again at about 45 degrees (adjust for your comfort). Taking the seas head on will cause the boat to slap on the trough of the wave when you go over the crest.

Also, you may want to look for your local US Power Squadron group. They teach classes on seamanship and small boat handling. Cost for classes are minimal. Good folks there.

By all means, wear a PFD in that weather and attach the dead man switch to the PFD. If you go over, it kills the engine. You would not want to see the boat run away from you.

[HighTechRedneck]

Thanks all for your replies
I am 25 years young and don’t have much of a problem taking a beating from the waves but being young I respect the words of seasoned experts who have been there and know the limits. I was reluctant to try to get up on top of the wave for fear of driving the nose underwater. I have done that on a pontoon and not fun at all, and If I filled the boat with water that would be the last time my wife went fishing with me. She was concerned when only a gallon came over the bow. Especially because the 45 degree water poured on to her and her blanket.

[Old Barney]

Big Water Boating

These are all great ideas...I tend to feel, like Lucky, that about 15-18 MPH is the max in water like you were describing. I took my new 195 out of the Barnegat Bay into the infamous inlet and beyond a few days ago. The boat handled well and tracked best with the most comfortable ride after some trim and throttle adjustments. I was also facing 5 footer's in a following sea coming in...I'm very pleased with the Triumph (my days of kidney crunching are behind me). It just takes time to get used to how your individual boat handles. Keep your life vest handy, or better on, as you learn. Safe boating-John