whats the best boat for going through rougher seas?

S

smileygirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Mar 2005
Messages
279
Location
yorkshire
fuelock.co.uk
I am considering changing my boat and want something thats good in rougher weather, force 4 to force 6 ish, breaking waves etc. I am assuming at that a semi displacement boat would be better in these situations
I quite like the look of brooms
what does the panel suggest ?
 
Try searching for Interceptor 42 on UTube. Not what you are looking for but fantastic footage of rough seas.

For cruising I'd have to agree with the Nelson.

bob
 
Traders do it for me: a nelson/Aquastar that was parallel to me in very rough water off Bolt Head last year came into my wake to get clean seas. He was submarining out there before he came over! I dont mind wearing it on the flybridge but I object to going under it!!
 
Depends on your budget & do you want - new build or 2nd hand - accommodation (as in Broom) or work boat - speed or economy. My view -

Interceptors & Wildcat - brilliant sea boats but mainly aimed at work/angling/diving market.

Brooms - ran an 1985 (ish) Ocean 42 as a school boat out of the Humber for several years. Good accomadation & fine for up to f6, but did tend to pound a bit. Done own-boat tuition & deliveries in others old & new but only up to f6, but well capable & comfortable. Generally do not depreciate at such a rate as many others.

Nelson - currently running an old 40ft as training boat & also for boarding & survey work out of Hartlepool. Ideal for that purpose & has street-cred with commercial clients but no flying bridge ( I don't want one). Semi displacement so a bit wet in a heavy head sea (good wipers essential) but will not pound or slam. Being narrow gutted does tend to roll a bit when hove-too, but a brilliant little seaboat in heavy weather. - 2 1/2 litres per mile at top end of displacement speed 9k. With x2 185hp will cruise all day at 15k & get up to 20k if light.

Displacement would be more economical and there are some excellent Dutch build steel boats with good sea-keeping in heavy seas.

Paul
 
Rough seas I agree car ferry or trail boat to avoid them .

But you say 4-6 breaking seas, you cant better your sealine 410 or most tunnel shaft driven flybridge boats, at least you are sat away from most of the waves.

you could waste a fortune looking for the perfect boat but all wasted money, if the family don't like 4-6s or at least not happy to put up with the occasional trip in a 6 then its time to find new cruising grounds like the Solent, Thames, broads, lakes, lochs, canal etc.
 
Nelson, jolly good boat, but, there are others equally as good and some planing boats quite capable too. Consider that a Nelson (as an example) is generally a narrow beam boat, round bilge so will roll like a pig beam on, very wet ride in anything over a three or four and you will pay a big ticket price for the privilege. Also at higher speeds will burn more fuel as opposed to a planing hull.

Botnia Targa is a good example of excellent rough weather planing hull (see the dutch guys exploits in the recent round Britain in a Targa 42, think they one of only two that rounded lands end in horrendous conditions).

AquaStar 48 is a good roughty boat too but a beamier boat than the Nelson's so more accommodation.

Personally if 4-6 and breaking waves is a constant feature of your cruising then I would still consider something like a Phantom 46, lots of space, good accommodation, well built and trimmed right can handle quite bad conditions if needed, to be honest doubt you will do lots of cruising in 6's with breaking waves etc as in any mobo boat it is a rather unpleasant way to travel. I would be more inclined to go for something that can handle it if necessary but offers more space, fuel efficiency and good residuals. Lots of people fall in love with the idea of a Nelson etc but the reality is that for 90% of the time it is a compromise on the livaboard front, they are thirsty and the saloon's are cramped for their size. Many chop out of them within a couple of seasons.

Could also look at Atlantic which is Broom esque but more modern interior, very nice build quality but you do pay a bit extra for it.
 
A submarine /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Recent model SD hulled Brooms have been popular on the lower reach of the Shannon and seem to handle the constant swell on the SW Atlantic coast of Ireland quite well, exceptional accomodation too, but pricey. Prefer the Broom 42CL to the Atlantics, better and roomier accomodation layout especially the aft cabin, but not a fan of the new 425 which is a bit bling imho and the loss of port side door is a BIG mistake, as is the awful cheap looking lego'esque blue helm! The 42CL is the pick of their bunch along with the 450 if you want the internal space of a 50 footer.

Some of the popular UK pilot boat designs really impress, but a little too work horse and cramped for my personal taste, but feel as safe as a brick house when the big bad wolf blows hard!!!
 
Quite like that 425.
Especially the blue dash.
Just needs a few more blue LED's dotted around /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

dv.
 
My experience is limited, but I have been on cruises with peeps in Brooms, Nelson hulls, good modern flybridges (Phantoms etc) and sportscruisers. When the going got tough, the big brooms were fine (if a little pounding), the good fairlines etc. were also fine. The sportscruisers struggled (apart from the Windy) and one or two had quite offputting experiences. Personally, if it wasn't for swmbo I'd go for a Botnia Targa, as I've seen these zip past me at twice the speed I was doing with no apparent discomfort at all. Amazing. The other advantage is that they are so quick that you can outrun weather really easily, and if you only have a three hour window, you will get there. Having said that, my Antares 9.80 has handled everything pretty well so far, and other folks on cruises have often commented on how well she seems to take the conditions.
 
The Targa's are amazing, the real 4x4's of the sea, there are two in our home marina, and the police use them here too. Accomodation suitable for day boating though, so not attractive for cruising comfort, or lots of nights on board. But an amazing fun day boat and rocket fast if that's your bag. I enjoy the bit between A and B not just the arrival at B /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have fun, buy a Botnia Targa and understand why it is billed as the 4x4 of the sea.

They never cancel a demo due to the weather.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't that what the Thames Police use?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top