32bit.flannel
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2011
- Messages
- 43
Hi guys,
This may simply be the designed intention of this little boat but I want to get some perspective from those more knowledgeable than I. It's a 14-foot Creek Craft, pretty sure the model is Creek Runner (http://www.saltermarine.com/CreekCraftBoats.html). They list it as a semi-V hull/V-bow and I grew up fishing on more traditional V-hulls so this being damn near a Jon boat might play into my reluctance to trust it. Add that to the fact it's only about 20" deep so it naturally sits quite low in the water. What worries me though is when I'm up on plane I've got virtually no freeboard. The edge of the gunwales protrudes out away from the boat and cups down (see my next post for a visual aide) and the water zips through that cup/channel as it reaches aft. This cup is cutting water as I plane...I mean I can literally rest my hand on the gunwale and my fingers dip into the water. I'm pretty sure if those channels weren't there the boat would inherently fill with water when running on plane and ultimately sink itself. I've adjusted the engine stop but if I go in the next hole my bow is plowing water, I've moved my battery as far forward as the compartment will allow (more than past the boat's centerline) and I plugged up the livewell so it stays dry when not in use (long story there...previous owner was a goof). It even has a whale tail on the outboard (which I thought was supposed to keep it up more?) Coming down off plane is scary because I'm pretty sure if I even need to stop in an emergency I will be swamped ;-) I should also note that the engine is just a light little 2-stroke 18hp, the max rated hp is 25 so I'm well below that, and even with only a couple gallons in the tank (which does sit in the back with me) it behaves this way. This next image will help to better explain...
This may simply be the designed intention of this little boat but I want to get some perspective from those more knowledgeable than I. It's a 14-foot Creek Craft, pretty sure the model is Creek Runner (http://www.saltermarine.com/CreekCraftBoats.html). They list it as a semi-V hull/V-bow and I grew up fishing on more traditional V-hulls so this being damn near a Jon boat might play into my reluctance to trust it. Add that to the fact it's only about 20" deep so it naturally sits quite low in the water. What worries me though is when I'm up on plane I've got virtually no freeboard. The edge of the gunwales protrudes out away from the boat and cups down (see my next post for a visual aide) and the water zips through that cup/channel as it reaches aft. This cup is cutting water as I plane...I mean I can literally rest my hand on the gunwale and my fingers dip into the water. I'm pretty sure if those channels weren't there the boat would inherently fill with water when running on plane and ultimately sink itself. I've adjusted the engine stop but if I go in the next hole my bow is plowing water, I've moved my battery as far forward as the compartment will allow (more than past the boat's centerline) and I plugged up the livewell so it stays dry when not in use (long story there...previous owner was a goof). It even has a whale tail on the outboard (which I thought was supposed to keep it up more?) Coming down off plane is scary because I'm pretty sure if I even need to stop in an emergency I will be swamped ;-) I should also note that the engine is just a light little 2-stroke 18hp, the max rated hp is 25 so I'm well below that, and even with only a couple gallons in the tank (which does sit in the back with me) it behaves this way. This next image will help to better explain...