Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

as for water conditions, swells are nothing. Chop, standing waves, rolling breakers is where you sink or ride.

In tidal areas, and I suppose wide rivers, whether the wind is with or against the current is a huge factor. In that respect the bays/estuaries can be harder than the ocean and I suppose the Gulf.

 

[Philster]

Re: Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

^^Exactly, Home Cookin'.

Four foot swells is just like going up and down a hilly road. Contrast this with closely spaced four-footers coming at you on your way in = I hope you have a self bailing deck, or something to help you out.

Conditions in different areas and how fast they can change dictate a lot about what boat is viable from the outset. It's one thing to say, "Oh, if it looks bad, I just don't take my 18' bow rider out five miles. If it looks ok, all boats are boats and I just take the four foot swells and take it easy".

That's all well and good, but the issue is: Let's say your miles out and you need to get back in. Weather has changed suddenly, and you face a legit 4' chop closely spaced with a head wind. That can be a terrifying experience. It is rough with a high-gunwaled boat and self bailing deck, but you can just suffer through it. On a small bow rider, it's you and your bilge pump/battery.

 

[A/C Guy]

Re: Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

On a small bow rider, it's you and your bilge pump/battery.

Battery??? This is a fine example of the internet commandos posting false info to scare people and make a point.

If the engine is running, it is generating electricity. You don't need to worry about the battery losing charge.

Eskimos has been crossing big water in all types of weather conditions for centuries in small boats. Their boats had less freeboard than any modern 18' open bow. The size of the boat matters less than the skill of the operator.

 

[Philster]

Re: Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

A/C Guy's advice = no one ever loses power out at sea. I mean, it's only internet commandos trying to scare you! :facepalm:

Lose power at sea in a bowrider w/out self-bailing decks and you can get swamped. Your bilge will bail your boat as long as the battery is fresh. Forget even being out at sea; it only happens just about daily in docks everywhere. If a boat can get swamped in a dock, it can happen at sea. Tends to rain hard during pop up t-storms, too. Wait, that NEVER happens. It's internet commandos again!

If your boat ain't built for being offshore, you have an increased risk of disaster. Boats lose power all the time. Out at sea, it ain't no joke if your boat is taking on water (rain) or waves.

There ain't a facepalm icon big enough for this response to A/C Guy.

:facepalm:

 

[Philster]

Re: Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

Eskimos has been crossing big water in all types of weather conditions for centuries in small boats. Their boats had less freeboard than any modern 18' open bow. The size of the boat matters less than the skill of the operator.

Wow. Just wanted to highlight this incredible piece of safety info that must be right from the Coast Guard.

A power boat without power is controlled how by the skilled operator?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ballast bags for better ruff water riding ??

to add to Phil's point, around here, a change in tide also can change the surface of the water from safe to dangerous, if it starts running against the wind.

A/C Guy needs to stick to air conditioner repiars on land. A small kayak is about the most seaworthy boat there is. But that has nothing at all to do with the discussion, any more than noting that submarines handle choppy water well, too.