Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

[ctswf]

Just wondering how much of a difference the ride is.

My 18' handles waves decent, but I take quite the beating in chop. Is a 22' tin a significantly better ride? How about a 25'?

I know some of you have had multiple starcrafts. I have only one...fighting the addiction

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

Just wondering how much of a difference the ride is.

My 18' handles waves decent, but I take quite the beating in chop. Is a 22' tin a significantly better ride? How about a 25'?

I know some of you have had multiple starcrafts. I have only one...fighting the addiction

I have an 18.5 a 21, and a 22....come finnish anyone you like and you can go check her out!!!!! ha ha:lol: I think the entry isnt that much steeper, so on those winday days, youll still get spray!! I think on the 22 footer you wont get pounded as much as an 18 footer. the extra weight will help reduce the pounding....the boat will cut the water easier....instead of the waves winning so much of that conflict!!! bob

 

[Grandad]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

I think you'll still take a beating on rough water in either length. What I think the biggest difference you'll find will be the increased depth of bigger hulls gives you more freeboard distance from the foredeck to the waves. One of the comforts is dryness, particularly in cooler weather, so if you can stay above some of the spray, you'll be better off. And when things get real rough out there, the freeboard difference may keep more seawater off the deck. - Grandad

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

For choppy waters, 24 feet seems to be a 'magic number'.

I have never owned a power boat smaller than 24 feet, but seeing the 18-21 footers out on the choppy days, it seems like they do not handle it well. 22 feet might be OK, but 24 feet would be even better.

So, if you are looking for something to perform better in the chop, look for "Deep V" (22-24 degree deadrise) and 24+ feet.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

For choppy waters, 24 feet seems to be a 'magic number'.

I would agree with that. I've been out in a pretty sea-worthy 21' CC and still gotten beat to heck.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

three factors play a huge roll....the cut water deadrise.... the WEIGHT of the boat, and the length.....the cutwater splits the waves so that cuts down on the frontal force.... the weight of the boat is what helps counter the force of the waves..... the wave has a semi fixed energy....and its effect on the bow is diminished by the push back of the boats weight, and the splitting of the wave by the cutwater.... then the length helps you bridge the crest of one wave to the crest of another...... so the boat isn't tipping up and down .....length does play a huge roll...but the other two can make one shorter boat more seaworthy than a lighter more blunt, LONGER boat bob

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

Why fight the addition?? Easy solution, get another one. No matter....a larger boat will most always feel better than a smaller one in the same size waves. As the waves increase comfort level goes down. Many years ago when traveling back on Lk Superior from Isle Royale to the north entry of the portage waterway at Houghton (Keewenaw MI) which is a 60 mile run we did not beat the fast approaching storm. Approx 11 miles out from the entry we took a rogue wave head on that stood my 22' Islander right on it's tail. Now I didn't look down to see what fell out of my pants but I am sure it was brown. I would not have wanted to take that run in an 18'.

 

[airshot]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

All aluminium boats ride rough in choppy waters, that is one of the very few disadvantages, however going bigger is always better. I had an 18' starcraft with a 70 hp OB for many years and enjoyed it a lot. We run mostly lake erie which can throw a good chop and yes it handled the waves pretty well. We have since moved into a 22' Islander and let me say we will not be looking back. Better safer ride, far less spray but being aluminium you will still get some bouncing. The really good part is the 3.0 I/O uses less fuel and goes faster than the 18' with the 70 OB.... Better performance with less fuel and a much drier ride...can't beat that...

 

[ctswf]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

good info here, thanks.

my "new" 18' will be my sole ride for years to come (shhh, wife could be reading this). Funny, I've been saying 24 was my magic number also. I'd say 5 years from now id like to be in a 24 to 26' cabin...dont tell anyone, but I could go glasser for that one haha.

man I wish these tin boats were worth more, it would be fun to repair and flip them on the side

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

No doubt that if you are in big water than bigger is better.

Course the trade off is more fuel, more maintenance, harder to trailer, yada, yada...

So ya, striking the balance of big enough for comfortable boating but not too big that it ends up being a real chore to do the boating thing, ya know.

Heads up, a 24+ foot glasser kinda starts to get into the "slipped boat" (or a small pain to trailer) range whereas a 24ish alum boat is still easily hauled around

And yup, having multiple boats to pick from is good stuff:becky:

 

[ctswf]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

thats why im at 18' now, i dont want to pay for a slip...or a larger truck. i tow with my little ford escape

 

[barato2]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

yeah, you're pretty much looking at bigger tow vehicle to get even into a 22' tinnie.

this line:
Approx 11 miles out from the entry we took a rogue wave head on that stood my 22' Islander right on it's tail.
describes in a nutshell why i think the transom replacement needs to be part of any tinnie resto

 

[airshot]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

thats why im at 18' now, i dont want to pay for a slip...or a larger truck. i tow with my little ford escape

What is the tow rating on your escape? My 22' Islander with single axle trailer loaded (fuel etc) is 3300 lbs total. My 2000 blazer is rated at 4800 lbs. Tows with no problem.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

What is the tow rating on your escape? My 22' Islander with single axle trailer loaded (fuel etc) is 3300 lbs total. My 2000 blazer is rated at 4800 lbs. Tows with no problem.

IF it's the V6 w/ the tow package (Some premium models w/ V6 come stock w/ the trans cooler) w/ the factory tow bar, I think most Escapes MAX out at 2500lbs. But above 2000lbs it can be a slug uphill.

Short wheel base w/ a large 22ft aluminum boat broad side to the wind isn't ideal either........

I added a Class 3 hitch to my new to me tow rig: 2003 Ford Escape XLT. No tow package, but it does have the trans cooler. Class 3, mainly because it has the 2" receiver, and I already have both a 2" ball & a 1 7/8" ball & 2 different drop receiver ball mounts. And the price was right, plus free ship.....

 

[64osby]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

The towing capacity for a Ford Escape will vary based on the size of the engine. If the engine size is a 2.5L 1-4 FWD the towing capacity is 1,500 pounds. If the engine size is a 1.6L EcoBoost FWD/4WD the towing capacity is 2,000 pounds. If the engine size is a 2.0L EcoBoost FWD/4WD the towing capacity is 2,000 pounds and if the engine size is a 2.0L EcoBoost FWD/4WD with the Class II trailer tow package then the towing capacity will be 3,500 pounds.

Per the internet

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

I stand corrected, 64's right....

But I don't think I want to tow 3500lbs w/ it. It was a slug uphill towing 2000lbs +/- a month ago.

Running in Auto 4wd it took longer for the weight to begin to slow the car on grade, but once it started to lag it slowed down quicker then when it wasn't in full time 4wd. And in the rain, I wasn't comfortable above 55mph. The tongue weight was about right, not too light or too heavy...

Was it 10% @200lbs, IDK?

 

[64osby]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

My wagon is rated at 5K, but as old as it is it will never be attempted.

Relating to the OP's question. Had a 16 closed bow itchy boat and now have a 21 Mariner. Not a great comparison, but the Mariner handles chop extremely well, rollers and 3'ers even better. Water that was a true challenge for the itchy boat is not a concern relating to safety or comfort in the 21' Starcraft.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

My wagon is rated at 5K, but as old as it is it will never be attempted.

Relating to the OP's question. Had a 16 closed bow itchy boat and now have a 21 Mariner. Not a great comparison, but the Mariner handles chop extremely well, rollers and 3'ers even better. Water that was a true challenge for the itchy boat is not a concern relating to safety or comfort in the 21' Starcraft.

FREEBOARD is a wonderfull thing when its not wonderfull out!!!!


bob

 

[ctswf]

Re: Ride comparison : 18' vs 21+

What is the tow rating on your escape? My 22' Islander with single axle trailer loaded (fuel etc) is 3300 lbs total. My 2000 blazer is rated at 4800 lbs. Tows with no problem.

6cyl with tranny cooler, has 3500lb tow rating. it tows my rig well, which i assume is around 2000lbs.