What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

[RCSConstruction]

I am just getting acquainted with my boat and have had it out of the mouth of the bay into the open ocean. I do not know how swells are measured but I was encountering swells that would be at my chest level when I was standing up in my boat as the swell approached.
It made me feel uncomfortable as I was on the gas, at idle or stopped the boat just glided easily with the waves.
I want to be able to cruise up the coast. Not far out, just along (about 2-300 yards from the wave break) the coast.
My 2000 wellcraft 18'6" volvo penta 5.7/sx should be able to handle that kind of trip, no?
How do you cruise along the waves? I really didn't like the rolling feeling of the boat. I felt much better cutting the swells at a slight angle but this made me start to go to far out.
If they get big what changes are you supposed to make?
Should this "bay" type boat stay in the bay?
First time I ever was at the wheel of a boat in the ocean and I felt the power it had and that was a calm day...
Thanks for any tips,tricks or advice.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Well RC i have the same fear's you do, on one side it will cut a 3 foot chop with ease and keep you dry, that is as long as that chop travels at a certain distance
or spacing

It is fast and can get out harms way quickly but if your ten minutes from a bay that could be to late, it also has a big bow and a fairly poor drainge system for the ski locker, if your going ocean bound id get a second bilge pump with a 1" discharge hose for good measure, the Pafic is a nasty place to get caught.

I put on the bow cover and fish the Columbia bar often enough and 5 foot swells are not a problem, but land is only 3-5 miles away and if the freqency gets to tight im out like right now.... remeber it's only 19'

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

It is quite difficult to explain, what to do and what not to do, the best is to learn and gain experience yourself, without putting yourself and the people on board in any danger ...... when we have longhaul races along the east coast of south africa the seas can get really rough at times and 12 foot swells on a 13,5 ft inflatable is not a joke, we normally then just keep as close to the shore as possible behind the wave break, luckily the water that comes in just runs out the back as we have open transoms, but still the chances of us flipping the boat is very good, and with 16ft great white sharks around it is also not a joke ..... when we ride the surf we always take the wave head on with a slight angle, it is then up to the co-pilot to distribute the weight to the front which ever side goes up first to get the nose over without flipping over .......

 

[KCook]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

"I felt much better cutting the swells at a slight angle but this made me start to go to far out."

Taking swells at some angle is often a good technique. The way to avoid "going too far out" is to periodically alter course to the other direction, that takes you closer to shore. With sailboats this is called "tacking". It results in a zig-zag course instead of a straight line. But often a little of this zig-zagging fits the conditions better.

Kelly

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

I know a lot of guys take boats that small out into the ocean, but I wouldn't. Especially a bow rider. I guess I'm just not man enough.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

What type of 18'6" boat do you have? Is it a center console, bowrider, or what? Some boats are designed to take some water onboard and shed it quickly. I have an 18'6" center console that I take out in the gulf of Mexico frequently; I do encounter some pretty big swells at times and I have just learned how to take them where I feel safe and relatively comfortable. My boat is designed to cut waves as much as possible and to also quickly shed any water that happens to make it onboard. All of my floor hatches are either designed not to take water, or to drain it quickly to the bilge.​

I guess I'm just not man enough.

This could be due to the silly hat, or possibly the tank top.​

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

hahahahaha ......

 

[bjcsc]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

I know a lot of guys take boats that small out into the ocean, but I wouldn't. Especially a bow rider. I guess I'm just not man enough.

Same here...

 

[tommays]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

i go out to Block Island in the Alantic in a 19' cuddy i would not do the same thing in the open bow model OF that boat

It can not get out the water fast enough the day you stuff the bow and take on 100 gallons of water in 1.5 seconds


If you go out long enough this will HAPPEN

kinda of like leaveing the plug out when you launch we all make mistakes



Tommays

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Hmmmm.. Well I do thank everyone for their advice.
Might be time for a 2nd boat.....
I should have listened to QC when he said to get a 20+ footer but I didn't think I was going to become "adventurous" so soon...
What really got me thinking I could get into trouble was when the bow would raise really high and then crash down. I guess that's when you stuff the nose and fill the boat up in water???
Thanks again everyone.

 

[KCook]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Err, find a "buddy boat" to travel along with while you are getting the hang of this. Just in case .....

Kelly

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

In my opinion, an open bow boat is fine on a lake but not in the open ocean. I have come close to stuffing my bow on my 24" Cuddy Cabin boat with just a little water making it up over the windshield. I would have had a ton of water in the boat if it was an open bow.

Not sure how far you are going out but do you have a GPS, charts, compass, VHF radio?

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Got a GPS,Map,VHF,Flares,.. everything recommended by coast guard, mirror,whistle,etcc.....

Here's a map of the route I would like to take. (about 10 miles 1 way)
I would be going along the shore as close as I want/need to be.
I'm going to give her a small searun half way and see how I feel but first I am going to spend more time with her.
Thanks again everyone

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Looks like a reasonable trip; you can stay close enough to shore. If you take RubberFrog, you may want to make him remove the hat!​

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

If you were going out, that is probably one of the safer areas to go. Didn't realize where you were. Do it early in the morning and pick your days carefully since it is your first time. Go on the net and get buoy data before you go out.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Southwest_inset.shtml

Bruce

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

If you were going out, that is probably one of the safer areas to go. Didn't realize where you were. Do it early in the morning and pick your days carefully since it is your first time. Go on the net and get buoy data before you go out.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Southwest_inset.shtml

Bruce

Sound advice there agreed, dont give up on her yet RC, Youll find that boat rides and handles far better than most 22 footers, up in our neck of the wood's they say if your going to the sea take a 36' or stay home.... Actually all i have had to do is monitor the bouy's and know when it's time to stay inland, what is important for the water's in our area is the height of the wave and the distance between the next one coming. I have been on 8' roller's and as long as they dont change there spacing it's no problem.

SOme thing's i have done was to take the factory bilge pump and place it in the ski locker and put a high vloume pump in the bilge, just a few hundred buck's...... :redface: i know where does it all end....

Does that boat hit 60 ????? If i were a betting man id say 62=64 mph..

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Studly, thanks for your input. Maybe me and frog can go together, Thelma and Louise style..

Bruce, Thanks for the buoy link. I just noticed your in the "people's Republic" too? You up North? Thanks for your insight.

TailG, Ohh I am not giving up. I love this boat. I put the 22p on and like you said, she's a tractor. It's going to be a perfect prop for the river and towing my new 6x6 space shuttle tow toy.
It feels like I switched a trucks 2.55 gear ratio to a 4:56!!! When I hit 2800-3000 rpm the boat comes alive, real responsive with the throttle and she will kick your head back if you gun it. I haven't quite broke her in so I haven't seen WOT but I will post a GPS speed reading when I do..haha
Trim tabs go on next. I am excited to see how they will effect my ride. Right now I am getting alot of up and down (is that porpoising?) Bow goes up high and crashes down on, probably my inept trim skills but hopefully the tabs will help out. She also gets pretty slanted/rolled-over in a long turn.
Unfortunately I took the boat in for more repairs. I really didn't feel up to the bellows and u-joint changes, I also had them replace the transom/drive inlet hose and all cables.
I figure when I am all done she should be good for another 7 years.
p.s.
I am going to copy your bilge setup. Sounds like a damn good idea.

 

[KCook]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Here is another thread on using motor trim -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1339081

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

I am in the Los Angeles area. I haven't brought my present boat down there yet but might this summer depending on how fishing is going. I used to take my 20' Bayliner cuddy out to the Coronado Islands.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: What are my limits for my type of boat/skill level?

Studly, thanks for your input. Maybe me and frog can go together, Thelma and Louise style..

Bruce, Thanks for the buoy link. I just noticed your in the "people's Republic" too? You up North? Thanks for your insight.

TailG, Ohh I am not giving up. I love this boat. I put the 22p on and like you said, she's a tractor. It's going to be a perfect prop for the river and towing my new 6x6 space shuttle tow toy.
It feels like I switched a trucks 2.55 gear ratio to a 4:56!!! When I hit 2800-3000 rpm the boat comes alive, real responsive with the throttle and she will kick your head back if you gun it. I haven't quite broke her in so I haven't seen WOT but I will post a GPS speed reading when I do..haha
Trim tabs go on next. I am excited to see how they will effect my ride. Right now I am getting alot of up and down (is that porpoising?) Bow goes up high and crashes down on, probably my inept trim skills but hopefully the tabs will help out. She also gets pretty slanted/rolled-over in a long turn.
Unfortunately I took the boat in for more repairs. I really didn't feel up to the bellows and u-joint changes, I also had them replace the transom/drive inlet hose and all cables.
I figure when I am all done she should be good for another 7 years.
p.s.
I am going to copy your bilge setup. Sounds like a damn good idea.

You have so much tourqe and power along with that props stern lifting ability, im sure your going to have to learn how to trim her back in so you can get the bow to cut waves as it was meant to do. .. for fun you should have your wife take a pic or a movie when your at wot and she's trimmed out, ill bet the only thing making contact with the water is your cav plate.

My first high speed experience was chine walking and how fast that boat launche's when it hit's a small chop or wake @ speed, my boat has a 4.3 efi about 215hp and lands very smoothly aka no nose dip or stern bogging. You may want to google the weight difference and be careful of any weight dist problem's

Have fun and be carefull TG out.