SoulWinner
Commander
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 2,423
Picked up my dad 
for a fishin' trip in Santa Rosa County's East Bay. We left the ramp at 11:00 AM and headed East around Garcon Point. Winds were from the east at 5 to 10 MPH. The bay was lightly tossed with 1 to 2 foot chop, mingled with rollers that came in predictable sets. In ten minutes we were at our fishing spot and I dropped anchor with 30 feet of rode and 12 feet of HEAVEY chain During the three hours we spent getting skunked the wind and waves built until we were taking water over the bow when the 3 to 4 foot rollers assailed my little boat. My boat BTW is a 17' Sundance Skiff. I have perhaps grown a bit overconfident in my little boat, but reallity was fully restored by the relatively small waves that just pounded the crap out of the boat and it's occupants When we headed in I rounded the point to find the following seas were lifting the stern to the point that the bow was being plowed into the waves forward of the boat, very nearly causeing water to board. I experimented with various throttle adjustments and course changes to minimize the problem, but nothing really helped much because I was forced to head toward the ramp which put the following seas directly off my stern. I think that if my dad hadn't been aboard I would have tried planing speed, but he would not have appreciated the beating that would have resulted <br />I learned a lot about my boat through this experience though No protected open water if winds exceed 7 MPH. Anchoring with all 75 feet of rode will still allow water over the bow if waves exceed 2.5 - 3 feet. Being out in conditions, albeit light, that are more than the boat was designed for is no fun I have a great little boat that aquitted it's self well, all things considered; but a 19' deep v is probably in my future
for a fishin' trip in Santa Rosa County's East Bay. We left the ramp at 11:00 AM and headed East around Garcon Point. Winds were from the east at 5 to 10 MPH. The bay was lightly tossed with 1 to 2 foot chop, mingled with rollers that came in predictable sets. In ten minutes we were at our fishing spot and I dropped anchor with 30 feet of rode and 12 feet of HEAVEY chain During the three hours we spent getting skunked the wind and waves built until we were taking water over the bow when the 3 to 4 foot rollers assailed my little boat. My boat BTW is a 17' Sundance Skiff. I have perhaps grown a bit overconfident in my little boat, but reallity was fully restored by the relatively small waves that just pounded the crap out of the boat and it's occupants When we headed in I rounded the point to find the following seas were lifting the stern to the point that the bow was being plowed into the waves forward of the boat, very nearly causeing water to board. I experimented with various throttle adjustments and course changes to minimize the problem, but nothing really helped much because I was forced to head toward the ramp which put the following seas directly off my stern. I think that if my dad hadn't been aboard I would have tried planing speed, but he would not have appreciated the beating that would have resulted <br />I learned a lot about my boat through this experience though No protected open water if winds exceed 7 MPH. Anchoring with all 75 feet of rode will still allow water over the bow if waves exceed 2.5 - 3 feet. Being out in conditions, albeit light, that are more than the boat was designed for is no fun I have a great little boat that aquitted it's self well, all things considered; but a 19' deep v is probably in my future