14' Lowe V in rough chop?

[AaronR]

The weekends here on my local lake get pretty rough and I see chop and boat wakes in the 1-3.5' range. I was looking to purchase a larger boat but with the season running out I just want to get what I have put in the water and use it if it will be safe. I feel fairly confident that I can use it during week days, but weekends are when the lake gets rough.

How safe will a 14x48 lowe V bottom be on the chop and wakes I've described?

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: 14' Lowe V in rough chop?

No safer than the experience and knowledge of the captain!!!

That said, and the recommendation to attend a safe Boating Class, observe your approach angle to wakes, keep an eye on the sky and realize that you may have to tack to return to shore if the chop catches you.

A four foot wide Vee bottom should be quite stable inland.

 

[AaronR]

Re: 14' Lowe V in rough chop?

I've been boating since I was 12, I'm not inexperienced, I just haven't been out in much rough water in a small boat, I bought it for use on small rivers. I take my jetski out about every weekend in the rough but that's a whole different ball game. The lake isn't huge so if a storm does come in fast I will be able to make it to the safety of the shore pretty fast, the main reason it is rough is over crowding...ten pounds of potatoes in a two pound bag so to speak.

Thanks for the reply!

I mostly just needed reassurance.

 

[arks]

Re: 14' Lowe V in rough chop?

How safe will a 14x48 lowe V bottom be on the chop and wakes I've described?

It should be fine as long as you use some care when running in the rough stuff. I have a 14' Lowe BigJon (flatbottom) and we've been thru similar conditions a few times without incident.
It's pretty uncomfortable, but not unsafe IMO.

 

[AaronR]

Re: 14' Lowe V in rough chop?

It should be fine as long as you use some care when running in the rough stuff. I have a 14' Lowe BigJon (flatbottom) and we've been thru similar conditions a few times without incident.
It's pretty uncomfortable, but not unsafe IMO.

That sounds painful, not just uncomfortable LOL. I have had a flat bottom and it was rough in 6" chop let alone 3'. I feel much more comfortable from hearing your story, I should be fine.

 

[mandopickr]

Re: 14' Lowe V in rough chop?

We were in a similar 14" deep v aluminum boat with a 25 hp motor on Santee Cooper when a storm came up. We were fishing with others, who were all in bass boats. The 2-3 seas w/20+mph winds weren't something that I'd like to be in every weekend, but the boat did fine. Unlike the bass boats, that plowed into the waves, our boat just floated up and over.

As mentioned above, maintaining the correct speed, and angle for the waves are also important.