What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- bottom

[randy1981]

I have a 14 ft sem- v- bottom sea king with a 18 hp evinrude outboard also a 40 lb thrust minnkota trolling motor. I want to take out on Broken bow lake in se Oklahoma. just wondering what is the best way to boat through the waves that are white capping if caught in that scenario. it is 5 foot wide and has a very deep bow that cuts waves pretty good . its probably 40 inches deep and sets about 8 inches in the water. it also has a 3/4 in plywood deck ( bass boat like) real nice set up it is great on small lakes and big or small rivers. it planes out with 2 adults and 3 small children with all the gear fine . it will run 10 to 25 mph depending on the people on board or wind etc.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

I would try to cut at a 90 degree angle if possible, but be carful of the wind flipping the bow around. Why would you want to play with white caps with a fishing boat? That is what jet skies are for.

 

[randy1981]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

im talking about if this happens y im fishing a cove or mouth of creek and am having to head back to boat ramp.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

White caps in a 14' tiller, no thanks.

Make sure your life insurance is paid up and the kids are at home if you decide to do this.

If you'll practice the scenario you'll see what I'm talking about. Wait 'til the lake white caps and launch your boat, then see how far you travel out into them before turning back.

Safe boating isn't overrated and you have to use common sense.

 

[randy1981]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

so your saying juststay close to the shore on the bigger lakes. I know what your saying I was jw what to do if you get caught in a high wind situation. im not going across white capping for the hell of it. I generally stay on smaller lakes and on the upper resevor ( river of broken bow lake) or the feeder creeks . I do real we'll on pine creek lake that's located also ikn se Oklahoma if you want look nat map quest and youll see the size of these lakes. Broken bow is 3 miles wide and 12 miles long. and has many coves which is some on the south end of lake that I want to fish I could stay close to the shore and fish them or I geuss just stay on north side of lake upper mt. fork river.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

Assuming you get caught in this situation unintentually.....

If heading into the Waves, Head Seas, take them nearly Square On. A little off to the side produces some rolling but reduces the Slam as you come over the top.
Throttle Back as you come down the backside and then throttle back up to maintain headway as you climb the next one.
You may need to turn to cross the trough to avoid stuffing the Bow under.
You will not be going over 5mph and will be likely to make 2-3 mph headway, it is going to be a long slow tedious trip.

You must have power to Maneuver, loosing the engine can be critical.
If you lose the engine get the anchor out FAST!
It will keep the Bow into the Waves. If you drift you will turn broadside to the Seas, and will be in tomorrows News Paper.

If heading with the waves, Following Seas, the trip will be less stressful.
You are going to stay between the Crests and go with the flow, kind of like surfing.
Find the sweet spot in the trough, The farther back you go the more the bow will be down, Not Good.
The farther forward, the more power needed to climb the wave ahead that you have no intention to climb.

If the waves are not going the way you want to go, Too Bad! You are going to need to Tack back and forth.
When turning from Head Seas to Following Seas, do it briskly and with confidence; You do not want to EVER take one sideway.

The seas may settle out before you make it to the destination.
This is no time to get impatient. Getting to the Dock is NOT important. Staying afloat is all that matters.
>>> Many times the option to stay in the Cove and get soaked is the best option. <<<

You should Have at least 2 "De-Watering" Devices on Board, 3 or more is even better, and one should be completely manual.
One motivated Seaman with a bucket will out pump most any bilge pump common to most small craft.

I boat on Lake Erie in an 18' Bow-rider.
The Great Lakes can take down 300 foot freighters.
They have been described as the Ocean, only Worse.

The boat will take more than you will, if you don't do something stupid.
Don't panic, Take your time, and you will be surprised at what you can handle.
Just don't go out looking for it.

There are Old Seamen and there are Bold Seamen.
But there aren't any Old, Bold Seamen.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

BTDT.

Our family boated in a 12 tinny for years, and have gotten caught out in some rough stuff a few times.

You have 2 choices.
Stay put in the cove, or chance the rough stuff.

If you chance it, directly into the waves at 2-7 mph is your best bet.
But going into the waves may not be the direction you need to go to get to the ramp.
In that case, hunker down in the cove or pull up to shore, and wait.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

playing in white caps in that boat means you already screwed up and are fighting for your life.... one mistake and ur done... on bigger lakes, study the weather before going out, watch it closely, and carry a weather radio or smart phone with weather app...

The only GOOD way to handle white caps in that boat is to never let yourself get caught in em

 

[saumon]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

UncleWillie post in spot on. We too, when I was younger, have fished 3 in a 12ft tinny for years. It was on small lakes but, in the mountains, weather changes are rapid and wind can pick up real fast.

Only one thing to add: if you choose to head to the ramp instead of staying in a protected area, you may be tempted to run close to the shore, by a false sense of security (being close to land) but that's one of the worst thing to do. First, the waves are higher because the bottom goes up and you also take the risk of being thrown on the rocks, directly on the bottom or on shore.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

Best take a USCG Aux class. You never want to be in the trough between waves in a following sea. The possibility of one breaking over your stern is great and the next wave takes you down. Climb one and ride it-- do not go over it. If/when it breaks throttle on the next one. In a head sea you will want to take them at a 14 - 45 degree and tack..... just my .02.... most depends on the boat and level of experience of the captn. I'd suggest not putting yourself in such a position with a 14'er with a tiller.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

practice practice practice

everyone needs to know how to handle his own boat in bad conditions. You will need to read each wave and know how to vary your speed both to stay in control and to raise the bow as needed.

don't miss an opportunity to practice on large boats' wakes. Look for safe opportunities to practice in bad conditions.

good advice about not being too close to shore. You need a margin of error. Of course a lot depends on whether you are on the lee or windward shore.

Uncle willie describes good techniques.

sometimes you have to let the boat have its head but don't let the wind turn the bow over (canoers and kayakers know this).

there is a technique for running parallel to the waves in the troughs but it's tricky and depends on a lot of circumstances.

Those who say "never get caught in bad weather" are like those who say "never break down." The rest of us humans aren't so perfect so as boaters we know how to deal with adversity.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

Very good info here, thanks UncleWillie!

 

[mrdancer]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

I've had to surf the waves a few times - I've always stayed on the wave crests, never down in the trough.

It's also a good idea to have a drift sock handy. They are like a wind sock, but you tie it to the bow eye and throw it overboard if your engine fails. Then you will drift with bow into the waves until you hit the shoreline.

You can get square 4- or 5-gallon buckets that make bailing a little easier than round buckets. Check with your favorite restaurants as they often get condiments, pickles, etc. in these types of containers.

There is also the possibility, if running with the waves to your destination, to run the boat in reverse with the bow pointed toward the waves - this will help tame the waves, but is really an advanced technique for extreme circumstances (you need a good reliable motor and good boating/driving skills to pull it off).

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

don't get me wrong.. not saying it can't be done but my point is the boat isn't built for that kinda weather and best not to get caught in it... I've seen a fair size lake blow up FAST to the point that a 5 mile run back to the ramp was hairy in a 20 cuddy with a v-8. Keep in mind that if a storm rolls in, it MAY be way more than just waves... sideways rain makes it darn hard to even see the waves

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

My advice would be to get a bigger boat!

 

[Thalasso]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

Not to meant to sound sarcastic.
If i was in a 14 ft boat (bass) and could hold up somewhere that is exactly what i would be doing. When evening rolls around winds tend to start dying down. I was on a boat in the St Lawrence river in 88 out of Mallory town Canada and sunk a 14 ftr. We could even see where we launched from and decided to make a go of it to no avail. We should have gone to one of the islands and waited. We ended up on a rock island but without the boat Was rescued 14 hrs later by the Canadian Park Service. This was in June and water was cold.
Beings that you are on a lake i would be making for shore in a 14 ftr. Two adults and 3 children, that boat isn't going to fare well in rough water. Just think, if the boat would capsize how are you going to take care of yourself and three children? A small boat on big waves in a cold, deep lake is recipe for disaster Get a bigger boat. Head on in waves i do not recommend. You have a good chance of stuffing the bow especially when you don't have trim tabs . Take them at a 45. A 18hp motor isn't going to generate enough power if you need it with the weight you will have.

Edit:
After looking at Broken Bow lake website (USACE) lake. I don't think you have to worry about whitecaps and rough weather. Shorelines appear to be close.

 

[shrew]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

I would try to cut at a 90 degree angle if possible, but be carful of the wind flipping the bow around. Why would you want to play with white caps with a fishing boat? That is what jet skies are for.

Did you 45 degrees? 90 degrees is taking the waves beam-to. That would not be a great way to run in breaking seas.

 

[NC Broker]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

Assuming you get caught in this situation unintentually.....

If heading into the Waves, Head Seas, take them nearly Square On. A little off to the side produces some rolling but reduces the Slam as you come over the top.
Throttle Back as you come down the backside and then throttle back up to maintain headway as you climb the next one.
You may need to turn to cross the trough to avoid stuffing the Bow under.
You will not be going over 5mph and will be likely to make 2-3 mph headway, it is going to be a long slow tedious trip.

You must have power to Maneuver, loosing the engine can be critical.
If you lose the engine get the anchor out FAST!
It will keep the Bow into the Waves. If you drift you will turn broadside to the Seas, and will be in tomorrows News Paper.

If heading with the waves, Following Seas, the trip will be less stressful.
You are going to stay between the Crests and go with the flow, kind of like surfing.
Find the sweet spot in the trough, The farther back you go the more the bow will be down, Not Good.
The farther forward, the more power needed to climb the wave ahead that you have no intention to climb.

If the waves are not going the way you want to go, Too Bad! You are going to need to Tack back and forth.
When turning from Head Seas to Following Seas, do it briskly and with confidence; You do not want to EVER take one sideway.

The seas may settle out before you make it to the destination.
This is no time to get impatient. Getting to the Dock is NOT important. Staying afloat is all that matters.
>>> Many times the option to stay in the Cove and get soaked is the best option. <<<

You should Have at least 2 "De-Watering" Devices on Board, 3 or more is even better, and one should be completely manual.
One motivated Seaman with a bucket will out pump most any bilge pump common to most small craft.

I boat on Lake Erie in an 18' Bow-rider.
The Great Lakes can take down 300 foot freighters.
They have been described as the Ocean, only Worse.

The boat will take more than you will, if you don't do something stupid.
Don't panic, Take your time, and you will be surprised at what you can handle.
Just don't go out looking for it.

There are Old Seamen and there are Bold Seamen.
But there aren't any Old, Bold Seamen.

Very well said!!

 

[emilsr]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

Put your PFD on. The boat can be replaced, you can't.

Broken Bow gets choppy when then wind blows but it isn't THAT bad. You'll be okay if you follow UncleWillie's advice (and wear your PFD).

 

[Wind dog]

Re: What would be the best way to handle white capping waves in a 14 ft sem- v- botto

There is also the possibility, if running with the waves to your destination, to run the boat in reverse with the bow pointed toward the waves - this will help tame the waves, but is really an advanced technique for extreme circumstances (you need a good reliable motor and good boating/driving skills to pull it off).

With my boat (15' Valco Westcoaster ) this would be a great way to swamp it and send it to the bottom.