Handling C30 (inboard) in bad conditions?
- Thread starter dbsea
- Start date
Brian98133
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2019
- Messages
- 213
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-242 C
- Vessel Name
- TUGether
That stretch of water can change in a heartbeat! I was heading back to Everett from Poulsbo on what started out (and was forecasted) as a beautiful day.
After finishing numerous bakery items whilst sitting at Poulsbo, I noticed an increase in wind. I decided it was time to head back so we could beat the wind, if it were to get any worse.
As I was making my way across the shipping channel towards Possession Point, things quickly went from 1 footers (head-on) to 5 footers, with increasing frequency which made for a wild ride. Had things not escalated so quickly, I would have loved to turn to Edmonds and wait it out. But as luck would have it, Edmonds was directly to starboard, so turning would have broadsided me to the waves. I had to just push forward.
Slow and steady.
We buried the nose into those waves so many times that it reminded me of being in "The Green Room" (what we used to call, back in my whitewater rafting days, being engulfed and surrounded by water, making the surrounding water look like green walls)! The windshield took quite a beating.
2.5 hours later, we gently rounded Mukilteo, where it only slightly subsided enough to crab my way over to Everett.
I was exhausted.
Lessons learned:
- The saying "Things can change in a heartbeat" is SO true! I never would have proceeded had I known how bad it was going to get.
- My little R23 did an amazing job!
- Ceramic coating on the windshield made all the difference! Even with water constantly beating the windshield, I never had to turn on the wipers. As soon as the water coated the windshield, the wind pushed it off.
- I now know that I can do what needs to be done under duress! Stay calm, anticipate what to do at every crest of a wave. There was a few times near Possession where there were some conflicting waves, so anticipating how/when to turn the wheel was a constant thing.
- The "Windy" app, as well as the Yahoo Weather app on my phone is only for reference. Don't plan on things turning out like they forecast. Pay attention to the sky and your gut.
After finishing numerous bakery items whilst sitting at Poulsbo, I noticed an increase in wind. I decided it was time to head back so we could beat the wind, if it were to get any worse.
As I was making my way across the shipping channel towards Possession Point, things quickly went from 1 footers (head-on) to 5 footers, with increasing frequency which made for a wild ride. Had things not escalated so quickly, I would have loved to turn to Edmonds and wait it out. But as luck would have it, Edmonds was directly to starboard, so turning would have broadsided me to the waves. I had to just push forward.
Slow and steady.
We buried the nose into those waves so many times that it reminded me of being in "The Green Room" (what we used to call, back in my whitewater rafting days, being engulfed and surrounded by water, making the surrounding water look like green walls)! The windshield took quite a beating.
2.5 hours later, we gently rounded Mukilteo, where it only slightly subsided enough to crab my way over to Everett.
I was exhausted.
Lessons learned:
- The saying "Things can change in a heartbeat" is SO true! I never would have proceeded had I known how bad it was going to get.
- My little R23 did an amazing job!
- Ceramic coating on the windshield made all the difference! Even with water constantly beating the windshield, I never had to turn on the wipers. As soon as the water coated the windshield, the wind pushed it off.
- I now know that I can do what needs to be done under duress! Stay calm, anticipate what to do at every crest of a wave. There was a few times near Possession where there were some conflicting waves, so anticipating how/when to turn the wheel was a constant thing.
- The "Windy" app, as well as the Yahoo Weather app on my phone is only for reference. Don't plan on things turning out like they forecast. Pay attention to the sky and your gut.
SKing
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2022
- Messages
- 176
- Location
- Seattle WA
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-30 CB
- Hull Identification Number
- USFMLC30C11
- Vessel Name
- Fusako
I also have 30cb inbord. I have found that anytime my stern is not buried in the water I lose stearing. I also have found that auto pilot works for me. It does a much better job than I do. I installed a rudder indicator (relatively easy install) which allows me to see how hard the pump is working. You can find tune the responseivness on the fly.
Having a command bridge taught me a lot as well. All the water that had caused me concern looks a lot less dangerous from up there. You realize that the boat is not being overwhelmed by the waves as much as you thought. Inside with all the spray things feal much rougher.
After a few rough crossings off of Nanimo I learned to make sure the tide is going the same direction as the wind. Much better crossings.
dbsea
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2021
- Messages
- 1,063
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-23 (Outboard)
- Vessel Name
- HALCYON
- MMSI Number
- 368365270
SKing":csvj352s said:
100% agree on the command bridge. I try to use mine 99% of the time. In this particular instance, it was mid-January and so damned cold that I couldn't stay up there any longer without risk of losing fingers :-D