choppy waters in a Sea Ray

[driver0606]

I have owned displacement boats for many years but now have a 1996 Sea Ray 230 Overnighter (23ft.) with a 210 Mercruiser. I am happy cruising at about 20 - 25 knots but find it seems to pound quite a lot in waves over about 2 feet in height. Anything much larger than this and it seems necessary to slow right down. I am planning to change the boat for another used one, say around 1999 to 2004, but with a little more accommodation and up to about 27 feet in length and 9 feet beam maximum ( the largest size I can get on my mooring).

Presumably a heavier and slightly longer boat will ride a little better anyway, but I would be most grateful if any body can indicate any other popular model(s) with accommodation similar to a Sea Ray cruiser that will give a better ride. I do notice that my friends’ slightly larger European boats seem to have a deeper vee section.

If I sacrifice some accommodation (although I do need a separate toilet and sleeping area plus sitting area), and go for an offshorer such as a Fountain, will it ride that much better and why?

Thanks for any help.

 

[gjgm]

well, in the extreme, accomodation and sea performance tend to contravene-think of the deeper Vs- Huntons, Sunseeker Sports etc.. big performance, nowhere to sleep /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Just a small point, you might do better zigzaging a bit more over waves rather than punching through them as it "elongates" the waves. Also, if in the Solent.. its chop is renown!

 

[colingr]

I'll vouch for that. I think the Solent has the most unpleasant chop anywhere. The only motor boat that I've been on to counter it I will not mention but it has a 24 degree deadrise or something. The alternative os to hit the chop flat out and spend the rest of the weekend shaking like you've been using a road drill

A bit like driving over corrugated iron. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[[2068]]

RogerRat's P38 just squashes the chop flat as if it wasn't there. Three foot waves, and the glasses on the flybridge aren't even wobbling.

In the same conditions, I'm down to 14kts, and holding on for grim death.

dv.

 

[colingr]

I must admit I'm talking about 18 - 20 ft boats, bowriders and ribs. I think you need a 30footer or a deep V to cope and I've got neither.

 

[jhr]

Sea Rays are actually a lot better at dealing with the chop than many. They have a deeper v than some of their rivals and give (believe it or not) a softer ride. Heavier and longer will improve things but, as someone else has already said in effect, you need to get quite a lot bigger and heavier before there is a noticeable difference.

Something like a Windy will give you a better ride in choppy conditions and will be a pretty damn fine boat but, as you've already observed, there is a trade off in terms of available space because of the finer, deeper v hull.

In terms of exact rivals to a Sea Ray, I don't think anything else will give you a much better ride, tbh.

Totally biased, of course, but that's exactly why I bought one.

 

[Overdraught]

As per JHR's comments, Sea Rays are pretty good! We've just sold a 2001 260 Sundancer, which dealt with the chop in Solent very well. We regularly used it in windy conditions with 2 kids on board.

Decent accommodation and 30 knots performance.

 

[neale]

Do you use trim in these conditions? If you trim the bow down using the leg, and if required with some tab, it can make a big difference.

I've just done a 600 mile trip in a 24ft Bayliner which is almost certainly worse at banging into waves. Triming the bow down made a big difference up to a point. Once the waves got bigger there was nothing for it but to slow down. At one point I was even slamming at 12 knots.

With smaller boats its just something you have to put up with, and while your bashing away just remind yourself of how much you are saving on berthing and fuel bills /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

Lots of good comments already.
Do you want a Quiccie?
Why niot Semi Dispacement?
Do You plan to Ski etc?

 

[gjgm]

well, I can vouch for the Windy. After a couple of Regals I couldnt believe the difference-the Ghibli really is bloody fantastic and really perfect for blasting about the Solent/south coast. Chop? What chop!
Ermm, makes me wonder why I ve just bought another boat,in fact /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[ricky_s]

It always seems to me to be okay in the Solent as long as I am heading west. Always a bugger heading back to Chi Only 21 feet here so have to slow right down when it gets Choppy, although looks like it would be okay out in it today, shame boat is out being antifouled :-(

 

[Alistairr]

[ QUOTE ]
I've just done a 600 mile trip in a 24ft Bayliner

[/ QUOTE ]

There lies a story, are you not going to write about it too let us all read about your adventures??

Hope you're not saving it for a Mag, are you??

Cheers

Al.

 

[CaptainMike1970]

Very odd that you feel your 230 does not handle the chop well, we had a 225Weekender (not much different) and it was super in the Solent chop, cruised everywhere at 20-25knts no problem. We used to take our son out on it from about 3 months old and the ride was so soft he spent most of the passages asleep!

We have upgraded to the SeaRay 315 which is longer, wider and much heavier and hence takes bigger chops/swell etc in it's stride. Obviously caution is still the watch word and extra care is required in certain situations (spring tides, wind over tide, races etc etc)

If you are struggling with your boat in the chop you could try some own boat tuition, sometimes an instructor experienced in your sort of boat can give you a few tips which will make all the difference to your boating.

Happy boating

Mike

 

[Planty]

Ditto, we had a 225 weekender and it dealt with chop brilliantly, could I suggest trimming nose down would make a heck of a difference ?? Sorry if teaching, suck eggs etc. Paul