How should I deal with these waves next time?

[marcoalza]

I really got caught out the other day.

We launched early, my son did some wakeboarding then we settled on Jumeira Island for lunch and decided to leave about 3pm.

Half way back to the dock the sea was turning pretty rough compared to what I am used to.
All the while we were only 1km max from the beach but the swell and waves were 1m to 1.5 m which I have never encountered before and never thought that they would be a problem. (Had my boat for just under a year). Wind was about 15mph.

I have read about cutting into the waves with the bow which I was doing, the only problem was that I was sometimes being caught out by the next wave which would swamp the bow.
Bilge pump was working full pelt.
I?m was pretty sure that I didn?t want one of these waves to hit me side on which I tried to avoid successfully but all I could do was motor real slow and cut through the waves.
What should I have done or could I have done better given the limited experience I have. I would value some sound advice should I get caught again.

The wave forecast I read in the morning did warn of 0.9m waves but I was used to 0.5m and didn?t think much of it. Of course I will next time!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

you are correct to go into the waves, and not let them hit the side and swamp you.

You want to approach at an angle, maybe 15*, just practice and see what works without feeling like you might roll.

Trim your bow up for big waves.

when you start to approach the next wave, give it some gas, which will raise the bow and send you up without scooping water, but back off before you get to the top.

Practice practice practice. If you are out on a calm day and can experiment with ship's wakes it will be helpful.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

I'd be considering a bow cover if I had the chance of encountering waves like that. Might save you if you stuff it.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

Typically bow rider boats have bows that are sloped downward and are not good for encountering waves. My advice is to not hit the waves head on and to hit them at an angle, as mentioned above. Also.....trim your bow up, run about 2,500 rpms so your bow is indeed pointing in an upward direction.

I've learned over the years to only use a weather forecast as a "guide" to what might happen that day. The only real way to enjoy a day on the water is to pay very close attention to the weather yourself. If the winds seem higher than what was forecast, head back to the dock. Also pay attention to cloud formations and what other small vessels are doing as well. Usually theres a lot of warning before foul weather sets in, you as the captain must recognize those warnings and make the appropriate decision. There's a lot more to being a captain of a pleasure boat than just driving the darn thing, it's a whole new realm of responsibility. Since you're a relatively new boater, I recomend you take a boating safety course.

All of us have been caught in weather conditions which we weren't prepared for, so don[t feel bad. I know you had to have been nervous coming back to the dock when waves were breaking over your bow, it's happened to most all of us.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

You know that feeling right before your boat comes on plane? Bow up in the air, you probably can't see much over the nose. That is exactly how you want to run in a small bowrider when you get into the really bad stuff. Its going to suck gas like crazy, but at least it keeps you afloat.

 

[emoney]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

In order to get your bow up, trim your motor all the way down (just in case there was any confusion). We get "caught" in those quite frequently thanks to the "change in an instant" weather in the Gulf and while they're not fun, there is a way to carefully navigate them. However, you get to know really quick if your boat wasn't designed to be a "bluewater" boat, as the skinniness becomes an issue. Try to hit the waves at 15-20% angle so plan your return trip accordingly. Taking them head on is where your swamping issue came in as the waves were outrunning the boat, so-to-speak. You're correct on not letting them broadside you as that could lead to real issues.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

I think Emoney meant you want to trim the motor all the way up (out) - all the way down (in) will stuff the bow. Everything else he said is spot on.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

In order to get your bow up, trim your motor all the way down (just in case there was any confusion).

You mean trim the drive UP. This causes the prop to push the transom down and in turn lifts the bow.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

You don't want to trim the drive "All the way up" either as your prop will come out of the water.

Trim it "UP" enough to get good bow rise.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

good point about covering the bow, but keep in mind that bad stuff can crash through a canvas cover. And the typical bow rider doesn't have direct-drain scuppers, either.
If this problem occurs often, reconsider your boat. From the bow acting like a scoop to no direct drains, they are not very seaworthy boats for conditions that are typically encountered, and handled, by boats of comparable size. Same goes with bass boats and, to some degree, many bay boats.

 

[shrew]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

IT sounds like there may have been a combination of hitting the waves at too close to 90 degree angle and too much throttle. Hitting the waves squarely will cause this type of condition, as will too much speed and not enough bow rise. Also consider slowing down. You may find you need to constantly work the throttle. throttle up a bit just before hitting the wave to also aid in raising the bow, then right before you get to the top, come off the throttle. The will keep you from sailing off the wave and 'banging' into the next one. It will also reduce submarining the bow into the next wave as well.

practice, practice, practice.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

My 40ft houseboat in 5ft waves is a bear. Theres no trimming, but there sure is a lot of throttle modulation. In my case, if it gets too bad, I find a cove, drop anchor, and wait it out (if it takes a day, who cares... its a houseboat).
Also in my case, i find that closer to a 30 degree angle helps keep the bow out of the waves. I have a really low deck, about 2ft off the water, so its pretty important.

The big thing though, as mentioned above, is really being able to read the weather. Carry a weather radio with you if you dont, and while it should be set to scan for urgent broadcasts, it doesnt hurt to just listen once in a while and get an update. Plan accordingly.

 

[QC]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

Conventional wisdom is 45 degrees, shouldn't end up sliding down sideways and won't stuff the bow into the next one as long as your speed is right. The bow up thing can be controlled with combinations of speed and trim. Quick bursts of throttle can solve some things too. Add helm adjustable trim tabs and you can come up with almost infinite combinations that can even counter spray by pushing one side down to raise the other etc.

 

[kobe]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

I haven't had my new bowrider in any real weather yet, but the others point out the main concepts in those conditions. my old boat (18' Sea Serpent with covered bow and windshield) used to take the weather really well. In weather, i would hit the waves at around 20 deg and she would slice thru them. interesting to see how the new boat will compare.

 

[relocyo]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

Reminds of a saying ive heard in survival school, clouds often act alot like they look, if they are puffy and cotton looking they probably will act that way, dark and sinister chances are they will act dark and sinister... If that makes sense to yall.... Just a general rule of thumb as situations tend to differ......

 

[dingbat]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

The period of the wave is what determines your course of action.

Generally speaking, 3' and under at any wave period I hit the trim tab to push the bow down and go straight at them. Once above 3' the wave period really determines the approach. I'll run anywhere from straight on with the longe period waves to running the trough when things get sporty. The absolute worst is a wave period that is 1.5 times the length of your boat. Trolling the troughs all day in five ? six foot seas on a 3.0 second period is isn?t fun.....at all.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

Some great advice there friends and I really appreciate it.

Some of you are mentioning 5 foot waves which would really scare me in my little thing but never seen anything like that here thank god.
I was working really hard with the throttle and steering but I think the biggest thing I missed was trimming up to raise the bow. Makes a lot of sense.
A little confused with the angle of attack and anything other than straight on scares me without actually trying it. But I will if I get caught again.

It really brings it home to you how inexperienced you can be and what could turn from a nice day to a disaster so quickly.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

The period of the wave is what determines your course of action.

Generally speaking, 3' and under at any wave period I hit the trim tab to push the bow down and go straight at them. Once above 3' the wave period really determines the approach. I'll run anywhere from straight on with the longe period waves to running the trough when things get sporty. The absolute worst is a wave period that is 1.5 times the length of your boat. Trolling the troughs all day in five ? six foot seas on a 3.0 second period is isn?t fun.....at all.

Excellent dingbat.

This is the data I look at when planning my day out:

http://www.myforecast.com/bin/marine_forecast.m?city=50039&metric=false#wave

What do you make of this? Is it good information?
I find it pretty accurate as far as wind and waves are concerned.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

Excellent dingbat.

This is the data I look at when planning my day out:

http://www.myforecast.com/bin/marine_forecast.m?city=50039&metric=false#wave

What do you make of this? Is it good information?
I find it pretty accurate as far as wind and waves are concerned.

Just remember Dingbat is running in a Grady White, one of the most renowned boats for handling conditions on the seas. In your boat, I would take 3' chops head on with your bow down. His hull is designed to cut through that chop, your's isn't. Slow and steady until you get comfortable. also remember, a straight line isn't always your best bet to get home. Sometimes it's better to run Northeast instead of Southwest and then double back after you pass your loacation if the conditions dictate it, or vice versa etc...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How should I deal with these waves next time?

although this is tricky and not for the inexperienced, you can run parallel to the waves. My boat seems to naturally settle into the trough, and I can run in it, but of course I am "ferrying" along the direction the waves are moving. As long as it lines up right, or gets me to a better place to turn and correct course, it's much more comfortable than cutting over every wave. Naturally, this method won't work in all, perhaps many, situations, which is why it is so important to practice and experiment under safe conditions, so you will be confident in the hairy ones.