Sandro
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2020
- Messages
- 65
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-30 CB
- Vessel Name
- Platypus
Hi All,
When I was researching the r29 cb I searched high and wide for information or videos on how the boat performs in rough weather. Most, if not all, shots and videos were all calm weather outings. I have a 2019 and coming up to the end of my first cruising season here (and my first power boat, long time sailor) on the coast of Maine I thought some insights might be helpful for those looking at a purchase with similar concerns/questions.
I was caught out two-three times in pretty nasty weather. The first was headed downeast crossing some open ocean off Owl's Head (about 5 miles before I could get behind the islands again. Wind: 20 knts off the ocean, waves shot up to 5-6 feet, trailing. I powered up to get on a "plane" - to about 14-15 knots - boat settled/dug, raised trim tabs a bit so the bow wouldn't plow and although quite a ride, she handled everything extremely well. Setting the autopilot to heading hold makes a huge difference (it there were not 100s of lobster pot buoys to avoid would have been even better.)
Second was heading into the wind in 4-5 footers. In this case I ran about 12-13 knots. Trim down. All good. LOTS of spray over the bow but plows right though no pounding. Anything less than 3 feet, trim down and it's like they are not there even at 14-15knots.
Third was yesterday. Hurricane remains from a few days earlier that passed well offshore combined with steady 25 knots, gusting to 30. We stayed overnight in a protected harbor at the mouth of the bay. Woke up to a beautiful day but blowing like crazy. We left the harbor to find 6-8 foot, steep waves, hitting us between broadside and rear port quarter. I powered up to 14 knots. some trim tabs (not full) and again autopilot as much as i could. Standing at the lower helm I did have to hold onto the dash. This, luckily was just a 2 mile run across the mouth of the bay, but it was pretty bad. Again at that speed the boat digs in and becomes stable - super wet yes, but the waves just pass under and around and it rolls over them (though a few passed over i think! It was like being in a carwash on the port side.) This I do not wat to repeat. But it's nice to know she can.
Point: the boat is a tank. The reverse chines and the chines in general at speed, I assume, create that stability when at speed. Pretty impressive actually. Power I learned is key. No way you could do that at displacement speeds (tried that when we first got going, scary 45 degree rolls). Counter intuitive - you'd think slower is better in rough weather, but it's the opposite to get the hull to do what it does. about 13-14 knots of speed seems to lock it down into a groove.
Anyway..hope this is helpful to someone. if rough sea handling is a concern (say caught out in a severe thunderstorm etc) It will handle it.
Jeff
When I was researching the r29 cb I searched high and wide for information or videos on how the boat performs in rough weather. Most, if not all, shots and videos were all calm weather outings. I have a 2019 and coming up to the end of my first cruising season here (and my first power boat, long time sailor) on the coast of Maine I thought some insights might be helpful for those looking at a purchase with similar concerns/questions.
I was caught out two-three times in pretty nasty weather. The first was headed downeast crossing some open ocean off Owl's Head (about 5 miles before I could get behind the islands again. Wind: 20 knts off the ocean, waves shot up to 5-6 feet, trailing. I powered up to get on a "plane" - to about 14-15 knots - boat settled/dug, raised trim tabs a bit so the bow wouldn't plow and although quite a ride, she handled everything extremely well. Setting the autopilot to heading hold makes a huge difference (it there were not 100s of lobster pot buoys to avoid would have been even better.)
Second was heading into the wind in 4-5 footers. In this case I ran about 12-13 knots. Trim down. All good. LOTS of spray over the bow but plows right though no pounding. Anything less than 3 feet, trim down and it's like they are not there even at 14-15knots.
Third was yesterday. Hurricane remains from a few days earlier that passed well offshore combined with steady 25 knots, gusting to 30. We stayed overnight in a protected harbor at the mouth of the bay. Woke up to a beautiful day but blowing like crazy. We left the harbor to find 6-8 foot, steep waves, hitting us between broadside and rear port quarter. I powered up to 14 knots. some trim tabs (not full) and again autopilot as much as i could. Standing at the lower helm I did have to hold onto the dash. This, luckily was just a 2 mile run across the mouth of the bay, but it was pretty bad. Again at that speed the boat digs in and becomes stable - super wet yes, but the waves just pass under and around and it rolls over them (though a few passed over i think! It was like being in a carwash on the port side.) This I do not wat to repeat. But it's nice to know she can.
Point: the boat is a tank. The reverse chines and the chines in general at speed, I assume, create that stability when at speed. Pretty impressive actually. Power I learned is key. No way you could do that at displacement speeds (tried that when we first got going, scary 45 degree rolls). Counter intuitive - you'd think slower is better in rough weather, but it's the opposite to get the hull to do what it does. about 13-14 knots of speed seems to lock it down into a groove.
Anyway..hope this is helpful to someone. if rough sea handling is a concern (say caught out in a severe thunderstorm etc) It will handle it.
Jeff