Keith
What sort of conditions have you encountered where stuffing the bow was a concern? I'd guess offshore Vancouver Is. is a good bet, even in decent weather if the waves are blowing in from AK.
As someone who keeps his boat behind one of the more "energetic" bars on the east coast (Merrimack River) I can attest that having enough speed to ride the backside of a wave when coming in is definitely the safest way (other than waiting for the tide to turn) when the bar gets bad. And it gets bad very regularly
"I've seen a lot of much slower boats get absolutely beaten up trying to get in - most commonly sail boats."
No one desires to "get beaten up" simply running an inlet , but is a few min of a rotten ride worth the expenses and hassle of a 200% or 300% larger engine?
As far as the quote goes, on the west coast the predominant wind and swell is on shore. With an ebb tide at the river entrances, you have the outgoing river flow hitting the onshore wind and swell. You can get standing dangerous waves on the ebb. On the flood, the swell, wind and river flow all in the same direction.
Without a doubt, speed is a plus when crossing a bar.
However in big lumpy, confused seas in open water I'd prefer to be in a slow FD boat with a low centre of gravity. (riding in the water rather than on the water) Speed is not so much of a plus here.
A good FD hull allows a much more relaxed cruise without the white knuckled process of trying to predict which wave is going where and constantly adjusting the throttle to suit conditions. That works in a short bar crossing, but for any extended period it wears a person down to where they can easily make mistakes.
Another reason why there are so many FD fishing boats.
In my case I made the decision that a 12knot (max) boat was ok for me.
Ken
In my case I made the decision that a 12knot (max) boat was ok for me.
Ken
Keith
What sort of conditions have you encountered where stuffing the bow was a concern? I'd guess offshore Vancouver Is. is a good bet, even in decent weather if the waves are blowing in from AK.
12 knots cruise would solve the tidal and river current issues that we face.
The boats that we have had did got better 'mileage' at 15-17 knots then they did at 12 knots.
So we traveled at either 6-7 knots or in the area of 16 knots but not really anywhere in between.
A lot of boats work this way. However, it seems that operators of said boats don't often get it. I see lots of boats plowing along in the middle speeds throwing big wakes (and burning lots of fuel). The operators really need to know that you need to go slow or fast, but not in the middle.
But then, what is the length of your boat? That’s also a factor as pertains to comfort.
I like to keep my environmental foot print as low as possible. I have enough of a guilt trip as it is traveling at 4 nm/gal at 7.5 kts. I have no need for having a higher cruising speed.
Jim
Wifey B: It happens here too. Seems Jupiter Inlet has far more than their share. It's had a lot of deaths over the years. You see so many small boats there and operators without knowledge or experience and then there are the overloaded fishing boats too bringing their excess catch in.
Here's the perfect example of what we've been talking about.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1938073453076542
There is no greater satisfaction to me while put-putting along at 7.5 and see some big a$$ Sea Ray like thing plowing up behind me dragging a stupid big wake. He starts to pass me at that stupid big wake speed, and I say "nope" and hit the fuel and leave him behind. Feels very good. Put a few miles on at power (good for the engine) and then pull it back. Back to peace and quiet.
Ok, finally a justifiable reason to have 10 times the HP I need for cruising.
Ted
There is no greater satisfaction to me while put-putting along at 7.5 and see some big a$$ Sea Ray like thing plowing up behind me dragging a stupid big wake. He starts to pass me at that stupid big wake speed, and I say "nope" and hit the fuel and leave him behind. Feels very good. Put a few miles on at power (good for the engine) and then pull it back. Back to peace and quiet.