Rough Water

[norbhat]

All of the pictures I see of RangerTugs show them plowing sedately through glassy seas 🙂

Any shots to share in not-so-pleasant seas 😱

What are your experiences in rough water?

Norb (newbie)

 

[CaptMac]

I guess we're not as likely to be taking pictures of the boat when out playing in rough water!

I was surprised at how well Island Ranger handled the waves. You've probably already seen how you can keep trucking into the waves without slowing down and without getting beat up. Of course, it is only a 25 foot boat, with a semi planing hull, and is only 8.5 feet wide so you're not likely to want to be out in really nasty stuff.

I think you'll find the boat can handle rough water safely but the captain & crew will wish they were somewhere else. I vote for avoiding it! When you can't, select your course so you don't try to run broadside to the seas. For me, I stay out of anything over 4 foot seas..


mac

 

[j&lgray]

We encounter the roughest water near our homeport of Everett, Washington on a regular basis. The westerly winds, against a tide and a strong river current where the bay shallows from triple digits to 20 feet can really kick up the water.

I have found that if we slow down a bit to about 9 knots and use the trim tabs to raise up the bow, that the spray hitting the cabin is less. However, keep those windows and hatches closed because the wind-whipped blue water will soak the outside of the cabin. The wipers are really handy here. The trick is to keep the bow up as the boat rises and falls in the swells. Keep everybody seated. Lifejackets should be on (the inflatable kind are really comfortable). Put stuff in the sink that may go off the counter and if you use non-skid material on the shelves and table, things will generally not slip around. In steeper swells, slow down a bit more and we will "quarter" them, i.e. not hit them dead-on nor parallel them (a great way to get into big trouble fast) but take them at a 45 degree angle. You may head directly for you destination and may to make some opposing turns but it is safe and the ride is better. Too much speed will not only make the ride uncomfortable but the steering will be harder.

We have found that the boat will be fine. It is the skipper and crew that will need to learn patience as "this to shall pass."

 

[Stella Maris]

The winter months on Lake Mead and Mohave can be tough weather months. We have seen waves as big as six feet rolling across the wide open waters of Virgin Basin and Boulder Basin. These are generated by winds that can exceed 40 MPH! I have actually seen the tops of the waves being blown off in one storm. That day we clocked winds over 70 MPH. (Thank god we were tucked into a cove that was just barely bigger than the boat)

During these rough water times, Solitude just kept plucking along at eight knots as if she didn't have a care. The crew on the other hand finally said enough and found an alternate anchorage for the night.

We have had water go over the top of the boat on numerous occasions. We actually shared the channel on Lake Mohave with a couple of water spouts one day! That was exciting! Maureen was at the helm as usual. She kept the boat to one side of the channel or the other as it seems these small spouts like the center. We actually had our 13 foot Whaler Sport under tow this day. Both boats did great!

Avoid the weather if you can, but don't be afraid if you can't.