Misc newbie questions

[Adamf24]

Hey everyone, I've been pondering these questions for a while now and really can't figure them out so I'd really appreciate your input.

Q1) If almost all off-shore/hardcore fishing boats are open bows why do people make such a big deal out of open bow's being unsafe if they take water over the bow? It seems if these boats can handle the rough waves far off in the ocean, why can't a regular bowrider also do the same (assuming the deck is self-bailing)?

Q2) How do twin engine boat's throttles work in terms of operating them? I've always wondered how you keep them both at exactly the same RPM... and then I considered that perhaps they have a locking device to keep the throttles parallel, but then if that is the case, how would you be able to run one in reverse and one forward for tight maneuvering?

Q3) Can you run your boat with a light-weight camper (ie: one supported by just collapsible metal framing and not a hard-top) put on for those bad days on the water? I've seen boats with hard-top+campers running, but never a collapsible metal framing camper.
(Pic for reference of metal framed collapsible camper and sport-arch camper)

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Misc newbie questions

Q1) If almost all off-shore/hardcore fishing boats are open bows why do people make such a big deal out of open bow's being unsafe if they take water over the bow? It seems if these boats can handle the rough waves far off in the ocean, why can't a regular bowrider also do the same (assuming the deck is self-bailing)?

Because most regular bowriders are not self bailing..

Q2) How do twin engine boat's throttles work in terms of operating them? I've always wondered how you keep them both at exactly the same RPM... and then I considered that perhaps they have a locking device to keep the throttles parallel, but then if that is the case, how would you be able to run one in reverse and one forward for tight maneuvering?

The throttles are separate, It is ideal to run both at the same RPM but that may mean different throttle setting depending on conditions and tuning of the engines

Q3) Can you run your boat with a light-weight camper (ie: one supported by just collapsible metal framing and not a hard-top) put on for those bad days on the water? I've seen boats with hard-top+campers running, but never a collapsible metal framing camper.
(Pic for reference of metal framed collapsible camper and sport-arch camper)

Yes you can run them with the camper tops up. Just not at 50mph

 

[Adamf24]

Re: Misc newbie questions

Q1) If almost all off-shore/hardcore fishing boats are open bows why do people make such a big deal out of open bow's being unsafe if they take water over the bow? It seems if these boats can handle the rough waves far off in the ocean, why can't a regular bowrider also do the same (assuming the deck is self-bailing)?

Because most regular bowriders are not self bailing..

So would it be correct to say an open bow with a self bailing deck is no less off-shore capable than a closed bow?

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Misc newbie questions

For twin engine setup there is the synchronizer gage, to set even RPMs on both engines, or automatic engine synchronizer.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Misc newbie questions

So would it be correct to say an open bow with a self bailing deck is no less off-shore capable than a closed bow?

Hull design and conditions play a large role as well but the short answer is yes.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Misc newbie questions

#1 presents a serious issue you need to understand. Focus first on the shape of the bow: does it dip down like the typical Searaybayliner type boat? If so you don't use it in serious waves. Does it flair up and/or out, such as a spoon bow or dead rise? It would handle waves. I've never understood why anyone would buy one of those dipped-down boats in the first place, especially if the bow is open. A related issue is called recovery, an important concept in white water canoeing. Based on hull shape and weight distribution, the bow will recover, or pop up like a cork, when it reaches a certain depth. The object is to have that depth below the gunwales. You do not want to operate a closed bow so that the bow goes below the surface (other than a sea kayak). A third component is how the bow sheds water, from the use of chines, steps and rails.But just last weekend I saw a Boston Whaler montauk, one of the best for any weather boats, with 4 adults in the bow and the stern out of the water.
A self-bailing boat can still swamp, if it receives too much water, if the scuppers (drains) are small, blocked or below water, if there is no forward momentum or the bow is weighted down. The object is to have the boat/conditions so that no green water comes over the bow, not to be able to run, like an oil barge, "decks awash."
#3 They are called bimini tops. I pictured, from your question, a stripped out deck boat with a pop-up trailer lashed to it.

 

[Adamf24]

Re: Misc newbie questions

#1 presents a serious issue you need to understand. Focus first on the shape of the bow: does it dip down like the typical Searaybayliner type boat? If so you don't use it in serious waves. Does it flair up and/or out, such as a spoon bow or dead rise? It would handle waves. I've never understood why anyone would buy one of those dipped-down boats in the first place, especially if the bow is open. A related issue is called recovery, an important concept in white water canoeing. Based on hull shape and weight distribution, the bow will recover, or pop up like a cork, when it reaches a certain depth. The object is to have that depth below the gunwales. You do not want to operate a closed bow so that the bow goes below the surface (other than a sea kayak). A third component is how the bow sheds water, from the use of chines, steps and rails.But just last weekend I saw a Boston Whaler montauk, one of the best for any weather boats, with 4 adults in the bow and the stern out of the water.
A self-bailing boat can still swamp, if it receives too much water, if the scuppers (drains) are small, blocked or below water, if there is no forward momentum or the bow is weighted down. The object is to have the boat/conditions so that no green water comes over the bow, not to be able to run, like an oil barge, "decks awash."

Great info. Thanks!

#3 They are called bimini tops. I pictured, from your question, a stripped out deck boat with a pop-up trailer lashed to it.

Well yes that is a bimini top, but it has the extra front and side coverings which to my understanding make it a camper... Infact the url of the image is even called boat_camper_cover.jpg

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Misc newbie questions

Q1) If almost all off-shore/hardcore fishing boats are open bows why do people make such a big deal out of open bow's being unsafe if they take water over the bow? It seems if these boats can handle the rough waves far off in the ocean, why can't a regular bowrider also do the same (assuming the deck is self-bailing)?

A: Relatively speaking, the less water you take on, the better. Also, the skill and experience of the captain are as important as the boat design. A self bailing deck is good. A self bailing cockpit with a closed bow is better.

Q2) How do twin engine boat's throttles work in terms of operating them? I've always wondered how you keep them both at exactly the same RPM... and then I considered that perhaps they have a locking device to keep the throttles parallel, but then if that is the case, how would you be able to run one in reverse and one forward for tight maneuvering?

Grouse


As has already been said, the throttles are separate. You have two RPM gauges as well, so you can synch the motors. There is also a seat of the pants feel to it, you can tell when the motors are running in synch.

Q3) Can you run your boat with a light-weight camper (ie: one supported by just collapsible metal framing and not a hard-top) put on for those bad days on the water? I've seen boats with hard-top+campers running, but never a collapsible metal framing camper.

Yes, you can run with the soft top or the camper up, but there are limits. In high winds or if you take green water over the bow, the top could be torn off depending on the design.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Misc newbie questions

So would it be correct to say an open bow with a self bailing deck is no less off-shore capable than a closed bow?

If every thing else on the boats in question is the same, then I would say no. A closed bow offers more protection. But if it's that rough out, maybe one shouldn't be there.