Dealing with rough seas (large wave's)

L

lagoon

Active Member
Joined
24 Sep 2007
Messages
68
Location
northants
Visit site
Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

Forgive me for my ignorance I'm new to all this & learning all the time .
When you encounter rough sea's eg large waves do you accelerate on the way or , on the way down or on the crest ?
cheers
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

I try to avoid going directy up or down large waves, take them at an angle at a steady pace. Trying to find a speed that works without having to throttle back and forth all the time.

If I have to then I accelerate up the wave, throttleback once at the top and then slide down.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

As mentioned earlier it's better to meet the waves at a slight angle rather than head-on. However in either case the whole thing is one of "feel". You power up the face of the wave reasonably hard, back off the throttle and slide down the other side but still with some power so as to lift the bow to meet the next wave. The knack is to not become airborne when you get to the top of the wave as you then crash down hard into the trough. So it's really a case of playing the throttles so that you just flop over the crest, then reapply the throttle again to attack the next wave.
It can be bleedin tiring as you have to concentrate very hard. Hence the easier alternative of "tacking" with the waves off the port bow for a while then changing course so they are then on the starbd one. This is much less tiring and can mean that you are able to make atleast as fast progress in the direction you want to go.
Have fun /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
QL trim tabs

[ QUOTE ]
Speaking of trim, did you manage to sort your tabs out?

[/ QUOTE ]

Went for Volvo QL system with the auto wotsit.

Reckon even going downhill I will only get into the mid-40 knots and QL system maxes out at 50.

Was very specific with the supplying / fitting dealer about my top speed etc etc. They spoke to Volvo and response was:
QUOTE
I have discussed the matter with VP and they say that as long as the yacht is not doing 50 knots there will be no trouble. They say the most serious problem is the pounding when going over the 50 Knots speed barrier.
UNQUOTE

So feel happy about that...

Cheers for your help on that one!!!!!

Full report to follow...should be back in the water end of November.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

You've got one of 2 choices. Throttle up the waves and back off when you get to the top or do as most peeps do, I expect, set a constant speed that feels just short of breaking the boat and crew and put the autopilot on
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

I've never found I can be accurate enough, with all the throttles, up or down, especially as all waves are different and the throttles either finish up, full blast, or none at all.

As you say, much easier to slow down a bit and let the auto pilot take the strain. Less it gets to bad, then zig zag about a bit.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

depends on size of boat. Actually driving it in large waves can make the whole experience quite exhilarating when in smaller boat, though it takes some skill and experience.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

Everyone I speak to says "play the throttles" but they never say how!!

Anyway, In all sea conditions, I adjust the throttles and leave them set for the conditions. In a following sea you can hear the engines working harder to climb to the crest and then easing off as she surfs to the next.

There are always two comfortable speeds - one at displacement speed - the other at planing speeds - probably different for semi displacement craft tho'.

Couldn't resist - here's that pic again!!!

0.jpg
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

Thats one hell of a photo!
Glad I wasn't there /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

Even in a T51, that's a bit too exciting for me: the more time I spend in the rough stuff, the more I am reminded that I prefer flat water!

Like today!

dv.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

rough is better than smooth as far as I'm concerned. Flat gets boring very quickly, but that depends on if you just want to get to objective, or actually be out boating for the fun of it.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

If single handed, rough is ok ish.

If swmbo and 3-yr old are onboard, then rough turns into earache after a while, where "a while" is an indeterminate time that varies with sunshine, ice cream, temperature, and distance to destination.

dv.
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

[ QUOTE ]
rough is better than smooth as far as I'm concerned. Flat gets boring very quickly, but that depends on if you just want to get to objective, or actually be out boating for the fun of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

You have to come out with me when I find the "fun stuff". Two weeks ago I was out with a lad of 14 whose father wanted him taught rough water handling. It was on a 5.4m rib. What a time we had!!! MY fillings are slightly rearranged, but how we had fun!

Rough water handling is both an art and a science - it's only when you've helmed small boats in rough water you know how to handle big boats! Check out out Ben Ainslie or Lewis Hamilton - they started from the bottom -dingys and carts - they know how they work.

If you want to learn how to handle it tough the call us - but be ready to [--word removed--] yourselves. But you will understand what a boat can really do! Safely
 
Re: Dealing with rough seas (large wave\'s)

I think you know I already know that, without being taught! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifI'd love to teach rough weather handling, but difficult to set up the conditions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

O
Anyone familiar with the Dtronic 4.2 motor - 220HP?
2
Replies
27
Views
821
rafiki_
rafiki_

Share this page

Top