Driving A Bass Boat In Rough Water 2024
soopd reply :
The other day I was out and the water got rough in a real hurry. I was located about 15 miles from the ramp in the most wide open part of the lake. We had 5- 6 foot Swales. I know that is not big for a lot of waters, however for some reason it was very difficult to navigate. I tried driving all different ways and could not figure out the safest way. Had to go slow.
What is the best way to attack rough water?
Traveler2586 reply :
What type of boat do you have? Engine?
I have two basic rules:
1. GO SLOW
2. Trim you motor all the way down so your keel is cutting through the chop.
Five to six foot swells are big and something not to take lightly. I suggest you hug the lee shoreline as close as safely possible. Don't try to wave hop across the tops of the swells, that will get you and your boat hurt badly.
soopd reply :
I was in a 20' ranger with a 200 hp on that particular day. But I am normally in a 19' nitro with a 150
Fishn4-5 reply :
waves that big are big in any part of the Country.. When waves are that big i go slow but ill trim up just enough so if i need to gun it the nose will pick up just a bit if i trim it all the way down when you stab the gas it wants to drive the nose down but slow and steady is your best bet
Al Wolbach reply :
One thing you learn quickly, there is no dry travel in rough water, so put on your rain suit and go, but go slowly and keep the bow high.
Moving directly into or with the wind will help but is not usually an option. It is much smoother
to travel with the wind than into it but that too is not always an option. A crossing wind is killer and usually the roughest since the waves and bow splash both get you. I have run a zig zag course to try to avoid the crossing wind/waves, with limited success.
As suggested above traveling the leeward side of the lake is good, if an option. I have done this on Lake Istapoga in Florida, which is a round lake, in order to run the boat with the wind to my back across the main body of the lake towards the launch site. This rarely is an option though. But any time you can run with the wind.
Usually when it is really rough you are in open water so it is relatively safe to run slow with the bow high. This will blind you to your course of travel so you will need to slow to an idle now and then to get your bearings and make a course correction but it will shield you from some of the weather. Unfortunately GPS don't update often enough to be very helpful when going this slow so slow down and look is the only answer that I know.
One suggestion I would make is before you make a trip across rough water is clear the decks of all rods/reels, tackle bags etc. You do not want to stop to secure a bouncing rod or piece of equipment. I even lock my rod lockers to prevent them from bouncing open. Once on Guntersville in rough water I had several rods strapped down on the bow but the locker lids were bouncing so high(even with hyd closures) I was afraid they would break the rods, so I had to stop. BTW, I have one of the better rough water bass boats, 20ft Champion.
Experience is the only real teacher but I hope this helps. Stay safe. Sometimes waiting out a storm is the best option...............Al
Traveler2586 reply :
On 10/2/2012 at 1:41 AM, Al Wolbach said:One thing you learn quickly, there is no dry travel in rough water, so put on your rain suit and go, but go slowly and keep the bow high.
Moving directly into or with the wind will help but is not usually an option. It is much smoother
to travel with the wind than into it but that too is not always an option. A crossing wind is killer and usually the roughest since the waves and bow splash both get you. I have run a zig zag course to try to avoid the crossing wind/waves, with limited success.
As suggested above traveling the leeward side of the lake is good, if an option. I have done this on Lake Istapoga in Florida, which is a round lake, in order to run the boat with the wind to my back across the main body of the lake toward the launch site. This rarely is an option though. But any time you can run with the wind.
Usually when it is really rough you are in open water so it is relatively safe to run slow with the bow high. This will blind you to your course of travel so you will need to slow to an idle now and then to get your bearings and make a course correction but it will shield you from some of the weather. Unfortunately GPS don't update often enough to be very helpful when going this slow so slow down and look is the only answer that I know.
One suggestion I would make is before you make a trip across rough water is clear the decks of all rods/reels, tackle bags etc. You do not want to stop to secure a bouncing rod or piece of equipment. I even lock my rod lockers to prevent them from bouncing open. Once on Guntersville in rough water I had several rods strapped down on the bow but the locker lids were bouncing so high(even with hyd closures) I was afraid they would break the rods, so I had to stop. BTW, I have one of the better rough water bass boats, 20ft Champion.
Experience is the only real teacher but I hope this helps. Stay safe. Sometimes waiting out a storm is the best option...............Al
Thanks for the info Al, and X2 on the red text, but I may be learning something here 
In 2009 I got my first glass boat, a Ranger 185VS; before that I had a Tracker Tournament TX which didn't handle waves well at all. When I got the Ranger I asked the owner to teach me how to operate the boat; he told me to run the chop and waves with the bow down using the keel to cut the water like a knife. That made since to me at the time and I've been doing that ever since; but the down side is I get water over the bow and a unpleasant ride.
I'm interested in what your saying about putting the bow up in heavy water and would like to know more before I try it on the Potomac River. Maybe it will help me work the water rather than avoid it like I did at Gunterville during the 2012 Road Trip; we had 40+ MPH winds that kept me off the main lake for days.
Question: how high is high?
M-D reply :
I think all boats handle the conditions slightly different due to different hull designs so you need to experiment. In my case my 18' champion does best for me with the motor trimmed all the way down and just enough speed to stay on pad and work the throttle as needed. The waves come in threes too so you can kinda time out and know when the really bad ones are due.
Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a single catch all answer for this situation.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 10/2/2012 at 3:07 AM, M-D said:I think all boats handle the conditions slightly different due to different hull designs so you need to experiment. In my case my 18' champion does best for me with the motor trimmed all the way down and just enough speed to stay on pad and work the throttle as needed. The waves come in threes too so you can kinda time out and know when the really bad ones are due.
Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a single catch all answer for this situation.
Time on the water.....
J Francho reply :
On 10/1/2012 at 5:48 AM, Traveler2586 said:2. Trim you motor all the way down so your keel is cutting through the chop.
This will get you swamped. Point the bow high, and go easy.
Fishn4-5 reply :
I do think that the Potamac river can be one of the nastys place on the east coast when the wind pics up but man i love that place
Sam reply :
Take down your front seat.
Last year on Lake Gaston we had winds blow through the area making for rough water.
One of my bass club members in his 20' Ranger Comanche had his front seat lifted off and thrown back at him like a spear.
Lucky for him the front seat hit the passenger seat next to him. Had it hit the windshield it would have come through and nailed the boater.
Just a suggestion.
Al Wolbach reply :
On 10/2/2012 at 2:43 AM, Traveler2586 said:Thanks for the info Al, and X2 on the red text, but I may be learning something here
In 2009 I got my first glass boat, a Ranger 185VS; before that I had a Tracker Tournament TX which didn't handle waves well at all. When I got the Ranger I asked the owner to teach me how to operate the boat; he told me to run the chop and waves with the bow down using the keel to cut the water like a knife. That made since to me at the time and I've been doing that ever since; but the down side is I get water over the bow and a unpleasant ride.
I'm interested in what your saying about putting the bow up in heavy water and would like to know more before I try it on the Potomac River. Maybe it will help me work the water rather than avoid it like I did at Gunterville during the 2012 Road Trip; we had 40+ MPH winds that kept me off the main lake for days.
Question: how high is high?
Traveler;
If the wind is blowing 40 mph no one should be on Guntersville, or most other lake for that matter, unless in a protected area. The upper end near Scottsboro might be ok, on or near the river. But I would have been looking for a bar to wait out the wind.
When I am running a chop I keep the bow down also. That is usually all it takes to maintain a fairly smooth ride.
What I was addressing with the "bow up" was really rough water. Water you are crossing when you should have stayed home and the entire crossing you are cussing your bad judgement and wishing you were home or in that bar I mentioned.
Let me explain that Champions ride bow higher than most other bass boats. When sitting in the water at rest the bow to stern angle is steeper than most other bass boats. This is especially true of the 203 which is the model I have. But you can get your boat to this angle underway with the trim switch, just trim up a bit. When I am running in this really rough water I want the bow high enough that very little or no spray/splash is coming over the bow. I'm talking "running" as just a few mph, just making headway. Never paid much attention to the tach but probably not more than 2000 rpm. In effect using the hull to shield youself from the weather/waves as much as possible. Does that explain?
J Francho reply :
Perfectly put, Al.
Glenn reply :
Al has it right. In waves less than 3 feet, you can trim down and use the keel. Bigger waves will require you to trim up. Really big waves - 6' or higher - requires a diagonal approach, else your chances of spearing a wave go up dramatically. Coming off plane and "plowing" oncoming waves with the bow way up is a common practice when it's really rough.
One tip: when running with the wind and the waves are small enough you can still run on plane, goose the throttle a bit as you ride up the larger waves. This will help keep the bow up as you ride over the crest, reducing the chances of spearing a wave. The downside is that sometimes you come down with a hard slap.
One other tip: If you go airborne and your prop comes out of the water (you'll hear the engine rev up suddenly), get off the throttle asap. You do not want your engine revving as you land. More hubs are broken this way than any other. It may not happen that day, but over time, driving like that will weaken the hub. Then one day it will just "pop" under normal conditions - like when you take off to go down the lake.
If you're going airborne, you're going way too fast.
Finally, always slow down when you see whitecaps. You'll have more time to "read" the water and adjust to larger waves.
Traveler2586 reply :
OK, I'm with you Al. This is basically what I've been doing. If there's a "chop" (from mild winds or boat traffic) I run bow down (with just a some trim so I'm on plane and not plowing the water) But in heaver waves I move like I'm doing a hole shot in very slow motion and never really come on plane. I've learned that wave hopping is not good for me or my boat.
My biggest failing is taking wakes from other boats while running WOT, I some times wish I had air ride seats and a five point harness to keep me in place; that would have saved my back one day.
FishinDaddy reply :
Al nailed it.
If you don't have a "Hot Foot", get one. It is an absolute safety necessity in rough water. It allows you to keep both hands on the wheel and it is much easier to feather the throttle when you come over or out the top of a big one. In shallow bowl lakes like Kissimmee, it can go from a light chop to 3 foot rollers in a hurry. If the wind is blowing hard, the waves have a tendency to "double up" every 8 to 10 swells. That's the one you have watch. Off the throttle as you crest the wave, then hard on the throttle to get the nose back up before you spear the next one.
Just above planing speed is where I run under most rough conditions.
wnybassman reply :
I have been fishing Erie for nearly 20 years and have been out in water I probably shouldn't have been out in more times than I care to mention. Riding the bow high is a necessity. In those conditions I run my 19' Ranger with the trim all the way up. Many times I am looking at the sky over the bow, and am looking to see where I am going by looking over the side of the boat as I turn the boat to the left a touch. Those who do this know what I am talking about. This will provide the softest and driest ride too. I also run a 4 blade prop to grip the water better, and know guys who run 5 blades for the same reason. I rarely have the prop blow out.
When the swells get big enough you can get on plane while running across them. Just try to stay in the trough and be careful going up and over the tops. This will get difficult in those large swells when they start breaking on the tops.
I have had a couple times where the waves were so big, I didn't dare go up and over the top of them while going with them. I would try to hit that perfect speed where you kinda surf on top, but the instant you feel like you're going to go over the top and back down, slow up and let the wave catch up and get ahead of you again. That's when they get in the 6 to 8 foot range. I have never been out in anything bigger than that though.
I actually enjoy fishing in these conditions on Erie when I am just repeating drifts over and over, but getting from point A to point B is a bummer.
Oh yeah, a second bilge pump is also a must. 
Traveler2586 reply :
Has anyone ever seen these tactics covered in print before? With all the years I've been getting Bass Master & Bass times, and other off the shelf bass fishing mag's, I can't recall ever seeing a article on how to attack waves, or boat handling; true I may have missed something, but you just don't see much on boating safety in Bass Mag's; I see more on using E-10 fuel than waves.
BTW, Last Tuesday night I had an occasion of having a CT scan at the local ER; while I was at it I asked if they would check on the progress of my L-1 compression fracture I received in Oct 2010 when I took a wave wrong, they came back with a new diagnoses of "chronic L-1 fracture"; I asked what that meant and was told "sometimes the vertebrae don't refuse". Point is, I would rather see articles on boat handling & safety, and maintenance, than why a square-billed shallow crank bait is so great. But, as everyone knows, I'm strange 
Long Mike reply :
On 10/5/2012 at 8:15 AM, Traveler2586 said:But, as everyone knows, I'm strange
You surely got that right! 
M-D reply :
On 10/5/2012 at 8:15 AM, Traveler2586 said:Has anyone ever seen these tactics covered in print before? With all the years I've been getting Bass Master & Bass times, and other off the shelf bass fishing mag's, I can't recall ever seeing a article on how to attack waves, or boat handling; true I may have missed something, but you just don't see much on boating safety in Bass Mag's; I see more on using E-10 fuel than waves.
BTW, Last Tuesday night I had an occasion of having a CT scan at the local ER; while I was at it I asked if they would check on the progress of my L-1 compression fracture I received in Oct 2010 when I took a wave wrong, they came back with a new diagnoses of "chronic L-1 fracture"; I asked what that meant and was told "sometimes the vertebrae don't refuse". Point is, I would rather see articles on boat handling & safety, and maintenance, than why a square-billed shallow crank bait is so great. But, as everyone knows, I'm strange
I do recall a time or two that BASS had articles in their mags about operating a boat in different conditions but it has been a few years.
J Francho reply :
On 10/5/2012 at 7:21 AM, wnybassman said:Oh yeah, a second bilge pump is also a must.
And a third backup, with a alligator clips on long wires....
Great advice, No Good.
soopd reply :
Thanks for all the replies. I ended up spearing a few that day and got my tackle all wet. Ended up just going real slow and the river bent and waves were no where near as bad. We made it back but ended up breaking the headlights off the boat. Lesson learned though. Thank God it was not any worse.
Wish there were more information on this topic as well.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 10/6/2012 at 4:13 AM, soopd said:Thanks for all the replies. I ended up spearing a few that day and got my tackle all wet. Ended up just going real slow and the river bent and waves were no where near as bad. We made it back but ended up breaking the headlights off the boat. Lesson learned though. Thank God it was not any worse.
Wish there were more information on this topic as well.
It would probably be difficult, and require two boats, but it would be nice if someone made a video on Bass Boat Basics, hint, hint, 
Fishn4-5 reply :
Traveler you need to let me take you out in my allison the next time im down on the Potomac it is a really good riding boat in bad water and waldorf aint but about a hour from my house hell come up in the spring and lets hit Raystown
Traveler2586 reply :
On 10/6/2012 at 10:02 AM, Fishn4-5 said:Traveler you need to let me take you out in my allison the next time I'm down on the Potomac it is a really good riding boat in bad water and Waldorf ain't but about a hour from my house hell come up in the spring and lets hit Raystown
I'm ready, I went out today and ran up to the W.W. bridge and found some Strippers on a Drop-Shot (bottom rig).
Why wait til spring?
BTW, you can make it from Bedford PA to Waldorf in an hour?
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 10/6/2012 at 10:19 AM, Traveler2586 said:I'm ready, I went out today and ran up to the W.W. bridge and found some Strippers on a Drop-Shot (bottom rig).
Why wait til spring?
BTW, you can make it from Bedford PA to Waldorf in an hour?
Don't let your wife find out you have been fishing a drop-shot for strippers instead of stripers.
tnriverluver reply :
Just put the hammer down and see how high she can fly, and then after how deep she can submarine when you stuff it on the next wave! 
Fishn4-5 reply :
LOL no I cant make it that fast (typo) takes a bit longer and my new Motor wont be ready untill spring
Traveler2586 reply :
On 10/6/2012 at 10:01 PM, Dwight Hottle said:Don't let your wife find out you have been fishing a drop-shot for strippers instead of stripers.
Just a Freudant slip (parapraxis), interesting the only difference is a "P".
On 10/7/2012 at 12:45 AM, Fishn4-5 said:LOL no I cant make it that fast (typo) takes a bit longer and my new Motor wont be ready untill spring
"Come on down!" as Bob Barker used to say, we can do the Potomac with my boat.
james 14 reply :
If you have a hydraulic jack plate is it best to drop it all the way down in rough conditions?
Teal reply :
Good stuff guys. Most important is dont be in a hurry. Slow is the way to go. My work boat is a 21' Carolina Skiff (flat bottom) i hate it when Gaston or Buggs island is rough.. makes for a long slow ride.
Al Wolbach reply :
On 10/5/2012 at 8:15 AM, Traveler2586 said:Has anyone ever seen these tactics covered in print before? With all the years I've been getting Bass Master & Bass times, and other off the shelf bass fishing mag's, I can't recall ever seeing a article on how to attack waves, or boat handling; true I may have missed something, but you just don't see much on boating safety in Bass Mag's; I see more on using E-10 fuel than waves.BTW, Last Tuesday night I had an occasion of having a CT scan at the local ER; while I was at it I asked if they would check on the progress of my L-1 compression fracture I received in Oct 2010 when I took a wave wrong, they came back with a new diagnoses of "chronic L-1 fracture"; I asked what that meant and was told "sometimes the vertebrae don't refuse". Point is, I would rather see articles on boat handling & safety, and maintenance, than why a square-billed shallow crank bait is so great. But, as everyone knows, I'm strange
Traveler, You might want to check out "Bass and Walleye Boats Magazine". They have some great articles on maintenance and boat handling. If they are still in print, not sure.......................Al
found a link http://www.bwbmag.com/
Edited by Al WolbachBassnChris reply :
Got my first taste of the wave action today. I did not like it one little bit. No sir....ree.
Nothing too bad...... 25 mph winds with 2-3 ft swells with white caps and a few bigger.
Just went slow (few miles per hr) trimmed all the way down most of the time.
Trimmed up some of the time to see the differences.
Tried to plane once or twice but quickly.....very quickly abandoned that in favor of slow and steady.
Overall a pretty wet ride.
I had read this thread last fall/winter........so it helped me out. But I did keep thinking....man, I need to read up on this some more.
And I might add I did cluck a little here and there........like any sensible chicken would ;-)
retiredbosn reply :
That's exactly how I broke mine.On 10/3/2012 at 2:14 AM, Traveler2586 said:, I some times wish I had air ride seats and a five point harness to keep me in place; that would have saved my back one day.
I really wish AJ would chime in. we are both retired US Coast Guard more importantly cox'n's, and have seen our share of rough water. There is no direct correct answer to the question, way to many variables. One thing is for sure do not attempt to time wind driven waves, a gust of wind throws the timing and sometimes direction of the waves off. Bass boats are not designed or built for rough water. The main points here are valid slow down, bow up a little, too much and a rogue can flip it, not enough and your swamped. Its a tricky thing that unfortunately only experience teaches. Take a look at my Avatar, that particular boat had a top speed of around 11 knots. The waves threw it around like a toy, be extremely careful on rough water.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 4/15/2013 at 8:59 AM, retiredbosn said:That's exactly how I broke mine.
I really wish AJ would chime in. we are both retired US Coast Guard more importantly cox'n's, and have seen our share of rough water. There is no direct correct answer to the question, way to many variables. One thing is for sure do not attempt to time wind driven waves, a gust of wind throws the timing and sometimes direction of the waves off. Bass boats are not designed or built for rough water. The main points here are valid slow down, bow up a little, too much and a rogue can flip it, not enough and your swamped. Its a tricky thing that unfortunately only experience teaches. Take a look at my Avatar, that particular boat had a top speed of around 11 knots. The waves threw it around like a toy, be extremely careful on rough water.
Your correct when you say "unfortunately only experience teaches"; I think I learn something every time out. Unfortunately, experience lags events and the result is we suffer from our lack of knowledge, sometimes for the rest of our lives.
scrutch reply :
If you ever get a chance, ask Ghoti what skipping across five foot swells at 50mph on Kentucky lake in a 21 foot Legend feels like. I'm not sure he's walked right since.
.ghoti. reply :
On 4/15/2013 at 10:57 AM, scrutch said:If you ever get a chance, ask Ghoti what skipping across five foot swells at 50mph on Kentucky lake in a 21 foot Legend feels like. I'm not sure he's walked right since.
I remember that ride, indeed. CJ and I were in Barkley when the wind came up. A south wind on Kentucky Lake can be deadly. We came through the canal from Barkley into Kentucky, CJ looked at me and said OH #$%^, hang on, we need to get across here now, before it gets any worse. And off we went. Was pretty sure I would be whizzin blood after that ride. The only part of me that didn't hurt were my ears, and they were numb.
I gotta give CJ a lot of credit for his boat handling skills. I would not have attempted what he pulled off. He was wet, I was soaked, but the front deck was dry when we hit the marina. Had about a half hour wait at the ramp before I could back the truck in. By the time we got the boat out of the water, main lake waves were topping eight feet. We really should have quit much earlier.
Fishes in trees reply :
I normally don't take my boat out on to bigger waters when the wind is blowing strong. The few times I have gone out, my guiding principle is go slow and try not to do anything stupid.
I have used my boat for several charity tournaments and the one rough water condition I encounter there every time is the early morning take off. Being in the middle of a bunch of boats, leaving the marina and driving through a bunch of other guys wakes is one thing. Having a slower boat and knowing that at any time some guy could come roaring past you from behind is nerve wracking. Just weirds me out.
The last time I fished the Fishing for Freedom event at Truman, I requested to be the last boat out, just so that I wouldn't have to deal with that as much.
trailer reply :
You guys are braver than me. 4', 5', 6' ??? I fish an aluminum v-hull though. Most of my fishing trips are scheduled around decent wind speeds. But I got caught once in some decent swells and I crawled it back safely. I figured a slow ride back was WAY better than drowning. However, I did not like it. I don't play with boats. I'm not buckled down and it's not a constant surface.
BassnChris reply :
On 4/16/2013 at 2:18 AM, trailer said:You guys are braver than me. 4', 5', 6' ???
Me TOO!
5,6,8 ft swells/waves................I would have been done...........could of just stuck a fork in me!
slonezp reply :
On 4/16/2013 at 3:28 AM, BassnChris said:Me TOO!
5,6,8 ft swells/waves................I would have been done...........could of just stuck a fork in me!
Waves and swells are 2 completely different animals. I would rather drive on top of 3ft waves than be beaten to death in 3ft swells.
scrutch reply :
On 4/15/2013 at 9:08 PM, .ghoti. said:I remember that ride, indeed. CJ and I were in Barkley when the wind came up. A south wind on Kentucky Lake can be deadly. We came through the canal from Barkley into Kentucky, CJ looked at me and said OH #$%^, hang on, we need to get across here now, before it gets any worse. And off we went. Was pretty sure I would be whizzin blood after that ride. The only part of me that didn't hurt were my ears, and they were numb.
I gotta give CJ a lot of credit for his boat handling skills. I would not have attempted what he pulled off. He was wet, I was soaked, but the front deck was dry when we hit the marina. Had about a half hour wait at the ramp before I could back the truck in. By the time we got the boat out of the water, main lake waves were topping eight feet. We really should have quit much earlier.
I was caught in that same wind on Kentucky that day. I have a 18 ft Cobra and there was NO crest-skipping for me that day! It was a very slow bow-to-the-sky ride back to Moor's. That was my first big water test navigating through the kidney busters. Talk about baptism by fire! If I remember right Ghoti, wasn't your wife with you that day?
james 14 reply :
My fear isn't so much for my own safety as it is for my boat's safety. I can't help but feel like something is going to break when I'm pounding waves and catching air. Maybe my fears are unfounded...I see those guys on tv skipping waves and flying through the air but never hear about them cracking stringers or transoms or anything like that.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 4/16/2013 at 9:25 AM, james 14 said:My fear isn't so much for my own safety as it is for my boat's safety. I can't help but feel like something is going to break when I'm pounding waves and catching air. Maybe my fears are unfounded...I see those guys on tv skipping waves and flying through the air but never hear about them cracking stringers or transoms or anything like tha
IMHO, most Pro's don't care about the sponsors boats; but they must care about their bodies. When I had my Tracker I was very concerned about popping a seam or rivets so I always took it easy; but I had to spend most of my time in back bays and creeks. Now that I have a glass boat I'm more concerned about scratching it in old wrecks or old wharfs that are just at, or below, the water line at low tide. One scratch about a foot long set me back $600.00 
The Coast Guard Boating Safety class taught me that personal safety meant a PFD and all the things that went with falling overboard; today, when I think of personal safety I think of my back pain. One day running & gunning can mean three days recovering.
retiredbosn reply :
On 4/16/2013 at 9:51 AM, Traveler2586 said:The Coast Guard Boating Safety class taught me that personal safety meant a PFD and all the things that went with falling overboard; today, when I think of personal safety I think of my back pain. One day running & gunning can mean three days recovering.
Amen to that.......
slonezp reply :
On 4/16/2013 at 9:51 AM, Traveler2586 said:IMHO, most Pro's don't care about the sponsors boats; but they must care about their bodies. When I had my Tracker I was very concerned about popping a seam or rivets so I always took it easy; but I had to spend most of my time in back bays and creeks. Now that I have a glass boat I'm more concerned about scratching it in old wrecks or old wharfs that are just at, or below, the water line at low tide. One scratch about a foot long set me back $600.00
Not all pros get sponsor boats. Many of them buy their own albeit at dealer cost. You'd be surprised, or maybe not, the amount of fishermen, pros and amateurs, who have undergone back surgery.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 4/16/2013 at 1:14 PM, slonezp said:Not all pros get sponsor boats. Many of them buy their own albeit at dealer cost. You'd be surprised, or maybe not, the amount of fishermen, pros and amateurs, who have undergone back surgery.
Unfortunately, I probably would not be surprised from what I see boaters doing out on the Potomac.
When I purchased my boat (used) I asked the gentleman why he was selling it, he replied he could no longer fish his club tournaments, running & gunning on the upper Chesapeake Bay, his back couldn't take it any longer.
I'm not up on new boat technology, but what if anything are the boat manufactures doing to cushion the shocks to the spine from bench seats? I see pic's where they "look" very comfortable, but do they have any shock absorbers or similar technology built in these days?
A-Jay reply :
On 4/15/2013 at 8:59 AM, retiredbosn said:That's exactly how I broke mine.
I really wish AJ would chime in. we are both retired US Coast Guard more importantly cox'n's, and have seen our share of rough water. There is no direct correct answer to the question, way to many variables. One thing is for sure do not attempt to time wind driven waves, a gust of wind throws the timing and sometimes direction of the waves off. Bass boats are not designed or built for rough water. The main points here are valid slow down, bow up a little, too much and a rogue can flip it, not enough and your swamped. Its a tricky thing that unfortunately only experience teaches. Take a look at my Avatar, that particular boat had a top speed of around 11 knots. The waves threw it around like a toy, be extremely careful on rough water.
THIS ~ ^^^^^^^^^^^
I had purposely stayed off this thread. My view of this topic may vary quite a bit from many mariners.
But, here it is . . . . .
Just like everything in our lives - when you combine the right tool for the job with a person who is experienced with that job or tool, you are much better equipped to have a successful out come.
Despite the claims of any company that advertises to the contray, any boat with a very low freeboard and a planing hull, is just not designed to safely transit what most boaters will call "Rough water".
Can it be done, yes. Is it safe? Depends quite a bit on the conditions and the experience and abilities of the individual at the wheel and throttle. A vessel with a low freeboard and planing hull, is much less forgiving in conditions that come close to or exceed the abilities or experience of the driver. This means there is very little margin for error which makes this combination less than the ideal "Learning tool".
I would compare it to taking a stock car out onto a wet, muddy and hilly 4-wheel drive trail. An experienced driver in this situation would be challenged to keep from getting stuck. A first timer is much more apt to get stuck a few times. However, give the less experienced driver a vehicle that is made to handle the environment, and the rate of success, even in the beginning, goes way up.
So when the conditions are right for the stock car, it's full throttle all the way, once the mud is encountered, the speed goes way down and full care is directed to throttle control and vehicle direction.
ALL of this applies to navigating a vessel in "Rough" weather.
Clearly, spinning your wheels in the mud and sinking a truck to the frame on a two-track is not the same as capsizing your boat several miles from the boat ramp - unless the mud puddle is 36 feet deep . . . . .
A good way for a boater, especially a first timer, to evaluate his or her own boat's abilities and suitability for waves is to look at & understand what the freeboard at the bow of the boat is. For our discussion here, freeboard is the distance between the surface of the water and the upper edge of the side of a boat. Freeboard is what determines how well your boat will ride in any size waves. As mentioned in previous posts, using the trim of your engine may bring your bow up so that you do not "spear" into waves. Please remember that when you do this, you are also forcing the stern on your boat down. This can be as much of a problem as the rough water itself. And since it's behind you, you will not know you have sunk the back of your boat with the big heavy engine on it, until it's too late. Trimming way up is not the secret to handling rough water. It's a tool that must be used judiciously.
I would Always Advise boaters to watch the weather both before you go and while you're out on the water. If the forecast is questionable, wait it out. While on the water, wind and waves can and do come on very quickly. Keep an eye out and head home BEFORE that "Bad Looking Sky" gets over you, this can often times make a Big Difference on the "Pucker Factor" - and anyone that's gotten caught out in something that they don't belong in, knows Exactly what that is.
You can hammer in a nail with a wrench, several times being successful; but sooner or later you'll smash your thumb.
Stay Safe
A-Jay
retiredbosn reply :
Thanks A-jay, you're much better at explaining things than I.
USNADrs reply :
My family took a fishing trip to Dale Hollow,TN. The water there was extremely rough. What worked for my father was;go really slow and hit the waves at a diagonal.
Randy Banta reply :
On 10/5/2012 at 7:21 AM, wnybassman said:I have been fishing Erie for nearly 20 years and have been out in water I probably shouldn't have been out in more times than I care to mention. Riding the bow high is a necessity. In those conditions I run my 19' Ranger with the trim all the way up. Many times I am looking at the sky over the bow, and am looking to see where I am going by looking over the side of the boat as I turn the boat to the left a touch. Those who do this know what I am talking about. This will provide the softest and driest ride too. I also run a 4 blade prop to grip the water better, and know guys who run 5 blades for the same reason. I rarely have the prop blow out.
When the swells get big enough you can get on plane while running across them. Just try to stay in the trough and be careful going up and over the tops. This will get difficult in those large swells when they start breaking on the tops.
I have had a couple times where the waves were so big, I didn't dare go up and over the top of them while going with them. I would try to hit that perfect speed where you kinda surf on top, but the instant you feel like you're going to go over the top and back down, slow up and let the wave catch up and get ahead of you again. That's when they get in the 6 to 8 foot range. I have never been out in anything bigger than that though.
I actually enjoy fishing in these conditions on Erie when I am just repeating drifts over and over, but getting from point A to point B is a bummer.
Oh yeah, a second bilge pump is also a must.
I am reading this dialog on rough water boating. I have had many sailboats over the years, on big water with big waves. Whether it be a sailboat or a motorboat. If going into the wind, go at an angle into the wind and tack back and forth to get to your destination. Sailboats do this naturally and the ride is smooth, even with big water. If going with the wind behind you, go at a pace that matches the motion of the wave action. Speed should match the wave speed. Surf the waves.
A-Jay reply :
A-Jay
slonezp reply :
On 2/10/2020 at 9:07 AM, A-Jay said:
A-Jay
I have never felt unsafe in my Lund
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