Bowrider Power

[NYBo]

Re: Bowrider Power

Back to part of the original question: The reason bowriders are more of a problem in heavy seas than a comparable cuddy is that open bow. Where a cuddy will shed the water that comes in over the bow, a bowrider will start to fill up, and each successive wave will make it ride lower and lower in the water until the boat is swamped. No bilge pump will be able to keep up.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Bowrider Power

One quick clarification question: Are you talking about wind-driven waves or just the chop of a hundred wakes coming together on a busy lake?

They usually are in areas that are easy to spot...just follow (or avoid...) the Lake Lice. At Folsom, there were always groups of wakeboard boats on a part of the lake sheltered from wind by a hill...learned to skirt the shoreline through there to get back to the no wake zone.

I know that once I got to know the areas to avoid on Folsom lake, I had less white-knuckle rides back to the launch in the afternoon. I had an 18' bowrider that would jar your teeth out of your head if you didn't pay attention and hit a bunch of big wakes wrong.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Bowrider Power

That Caravelle would be a rippin good deal in CA, if it runs as good as it looks.

Just adding a swim platform to a boat will run you $1500 (if you are lucky!)

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Bowrider Power

I agree with the bigger is better crowd on here. I grew up with a 16' Glastron vee front boat that went all flat by the transom. Then we got a shallow vee hull 18 footer with a Trihull bow section. They both would loosen your teeth in the 25 Mile long 5 mile wide lake where I boat. Now I have a 20 footer with a 21 degree deadrise which is approaching deep vee territory. It's still not enough but it's what I can afford. It's fast when all the traffic dies, and it has a big heavy iron block Chevrolet V8 engine to help it absorb waves. if you are going to be in chop get the pointiest, heaviest boat you can. Believe me.
And don't fear the bigger engines for fuel consumption, since they don't require full throttle as much they can be more economical than medium size and small size engines.
Have fun shopping, it's a buyers market around here this time of year and in the current economic climate. I hope it is good shopping for you too.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Bowrider Power

Not going to happen. 2 to 3 foot waves are BIG waves and will throw a 24 foot boat all over the water, a 19' will be even worse.

2 to 3 foot waves are BIG???? Are u kidding me?>> Cmon! thats a great condition to Full Throttle all around