Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

[Nomad57]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

The worst by far was the Glastron, that thing would jar your teeth out from the instant it got on plane till the instant you let off the throttle. There just was no sweet spot. It also had the least freeboard of all my trihull boats.

The Glastron felt like it was going to break in two on the slightest chop or wake. It eventually developed a crack in the upper hull cap just ahead of the windshield on both sides. I've seen others with the same crack too.

Funny you should mention how bad the 1972 Glastron V176 Swinger was. The following year, they stretched it four inches and renamed it the 186 Swinger. Underneath they slipped in the V178, which was listed by Consumer Reports as third best of a dozen or so boats that they tested circa 1974.

Makes one wonder if they improved the hull for the V178, or if the test report is suspect. Seems like more than a coincidence that the Swinger was the first of the tri-hulls that Glastron came out with in 1967.

Nomad

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

I've never put much weight on Consumer Reports test results, its been my experience over the years that if they condemn and item, I probably would like it and have no issues with it. They tend to lean towards super safe idiot proof items that in the real world just don't cut it.
I made the mistake of buying both a TV and my first digital camera on their advise, both were total crap, the models that they hated, ended up being the best I've ever owned.
They seem to have a problem with tried and true items, if it's not the latest or cutting edge technology, they fault it for that.

The Swinger eventually cracked the top cap on both sides just ahead of the windshield. It was the roughest, bone jarring ride I've ever had in a boat in only 1 foot seas in the bay. I truly thought the thing was going to break apart from the hard jarring it was taking even at low speed.

My Starcraft will take a few hard slaps if I'm not careful, but for the most part I can run it at cruise speed over all but the biggest wakes without any pain or it sounding like the thing is hitting concrete. Being in NJ, we have almost no lakes that allow larger boats with gas engines, we can only run in the rivers and back bays, so a trihull isn't really in its element here. I must say that I feel they are more suited for lake use where there's no big waves. I run mine mostly in the rivers, and only go into the saltwater on occasion, but when I do, I'm ever so glad it's not in that old Glastron.

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

Well I have a shorter and lighter tri-hull and I know the weight factor is a big part of the ride. I know mine weighs in under 1500 lbs and my buddy, 18WCMerc has a longer 18' tri-hull that's wider and a lot heavier. His will still beat us but if he finds the right combo of speed and trim it rides a ton better than mine ever will. So it maybe a weigh issuse as part of it but I understand the tri-hull design isn't helping. So if you want to still purchase a tri-hull look for a larger one and ask for a test ride to see if it fits you and your family.

 

[Nomad57]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

The Swinger eventually cracked the top cap on both sides just ahead of the windshield. It was the roughest, bone jarring ride I've ever had in a boat in only 1 foot seas in the bay. I truly thought the thing was going to break apart from the hard jarring it was taking even at low speed.

I guess it's also no coincidence that by 1977, they started with their SSVs, (deep V bowriders), and by 1981, they were out of the tri-hull business.

Nomad

 

[harrybob]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

Hey guys, just dredged this thread up, I need some advice whether anyone has owned a 1978 17ft silverline comoro ? Or if anyone knows anything about them? I am in two minds after reading the threads on tri-hulls whether to fix it up or sell it as-is. It has a merc cruiser 470 inboard that works great, just rough interior, needs re-upholstering and a new floor, $700 I got it for with calkins trailer.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

Hey guys, just dredged this thread up, I need some advice whether anyone has owned a 1978 17ft silverline comoro ? Or if anyone knows anything about them? I am in two minds after reading the threads on tri-hulls whether to fix it up or sell it as-is. It has a merc cruiser 470 inboard that works great, just rough interior, needs re-upholstering and a new floor, $700 I got it for with calkins trailer.

I would start your own thread... This one has nothing to do with your specific question besides the fact that your Comoro is a tri-hull, but with a rough interior, soft floor, AND a 470, you're gonna need lots of input... A fresh thread might attract more attention.

My advise, get rid of it. Not worth the labor and cost considering the specific boat in question, and considering the engine it's got in it.

 

[harrybob]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

I would start your own thread... This one has nothing to do with your specific question besides the fact that your Comoro is a tri-hull, but with a rough interior, soft floor, AND a 470, you're gonna need lots of input... A fresh thread might attract more attention.

My advise, get rid of it. Not worth the labor and cost considering the specific boat in question, and considering the engine it's got in it.

Thankyou, I'll do that. My apologies for pulling an old thread up then

 

[ricohman]

Re: Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

I liked my Starcraft 16ft trihull. Although it rode rough the big square bow made a great fishing platform. And it had a lot of room for the size and was very stable at anchor.
I'd by another trihull before a v hull in this size range.