New to boating and rough water

[handman64]

I'm not sure if this can fully be answered, but looking for some help. I'm new to recreational boating (fished for years, but different type of boat). I have a 2006 Tahoe Q4 S/F and have been on the lake just a few times. Maybe it's been my timing, but each time- the lake is pretty busy and some chop on the water. I'm very nervous about operating the boat in these conditions- when we try to get up speed, I feel like the entire boat is coming out of the water on each wave we hit. Is this normal? (I look around and it appears everybody is traveling normally).The reason I wanted this type of boat was so we could "cut" through the waves, instead of getting beat by them. I can only go to the lakes on the weekend and can't wait to just to the lake when it's not busy.
Is this a case of just not being use to this type of boat or is this normal- or not the right type of boat for this application?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: New to boating and rough water

So how high are these waves? Boat designs vary, but a degree of hull slap is often there at planing speeds in choppy water. Slowing down is the answer, along with picking your path through the water.

If you're banging over the waves, try changing course a bit and see if that doesn't help. If not, then slow down. Your boat will thank you and so will your passengers.

It's especially tough on busy lakes, where wakes are mixing with the chop to really churn up the water.

 

[QC]

Re: New to boating and rough water

Are these the same specs as your boat? Or is yours the I/O? Either way that is a 16 degree deadrise bottom, and more than any other number this determines ride quality in rough water. I have come to the conclusion that 20 degrees (at the transom) is the minimum for my boats. I had a 16 degree bottom before, and although it was fast, it beat the heck out of the whole family. With that said, there are some technique and trim things you can do to minimise the fear and discomfort for sure. Tell us more about how fast you're going and what you are doing with trim etc. The more info the better, worse heading into the chop? With the chop/wind? Any other tidbits will be helpful.

Good luck!! We'll definitely help you, and there may even be a few additions that will help. But be aware, 16 degrees is a tough deal in rough water . . .

 

[tmh]

Re: New to boating and rough water

Boats are all a compromise. You picked one that has is light and has a shallow hull so it's more efficient and faster (per engine hp). You traded off a smoother ride though. Smaller boats are all roughed up a bit when the bigger boats and wind kick things up. Some take it better than others (not yours).

Smart tabs may help, but won't solve the problem. Experience with wave angles will help also. Maybe you'll get a better feel for how to getup on top of the waves better.

However, this is the reason many recommend newer boaters buy an older used boat first. You find out what you REALLY want when you're out there for a season or two.

Not to sound "defeatest" but it may be that your best bet is to look to trade your tahoe for a boat that fits your needs better OR find a smoother place to boat, if there's any near you. You'd probably need more like a 20-21' boat to take the waves and a deeper V hull with more weight.

 

[Fu-Inator]

Re: New to boating and rough water

I'm not sure if this can fully be answered, but looking for some help. I'm new to recreational boating (fished for years, but different type of boat). I have a 2006 Tahoe Q4 S/F and have been on the lake just a few times.

You and I are in the same boat (pun intended). I'm new to boating and have a 2007 Tahoe Q4 that has been out a couple of times. I noticed that the boat runs different between morning (calmer water, less boats) vs. afternoon (choppier, more boats). The choppy water can throw the boat around a bit when you hit the larger waves/wakes. Of course, the kids love the ride... lol.

I don't have any advice but just wanted to tell you that I have encountered the same thing. Perhaps a heavier boat is more your style.

Hope that helps!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating and rough water

you have to learn your boat and how it reacts. speed and angle make big differences, also when you enter a series of wakes from another boat, throttle can play a role, as you enter the wave, an little burst of power can bring the bow up, to keep from taking on water in a splash.

 

[handman64]

Re: New to boating and rough water

In regards to your questions QC, that is basically my boat- except I have a
4.3 I/O. As for speed, I'm very hesitant to go fast in medium to heavy chop; it makes me too nervous (including my family). The first time we took it out, the water was very calm- perfect day! Since then, we've only been able to go on busy days (first warm day, Memorial Day).
As most of you have stated, I guess I just need to learn my boat and to make notes for my next one. I just wanted to see if it was me, the boat, or combination. I've got all summer to try to work out the details. Thanks so much for everybody's help and input.

 

[QC]

Re: New to boating and rough water

Another trick, similar but opposite to TD's suggestion, is to pull the throttle back just as you go into a rough section. That can drive the sharper vee of the bow into the wake/wave and maybe make it smoother. I say maybe, because the same maneuver could also get everybody wet, or at minimum scare everybody.

This is art and voodoo, not necessarily science as ALL of the combinations of stuff matter. Wind, wakes, waves, bottom, boat bottom, speed, temperature, trim angle, trim tabs if you have them, wind angle vs. water angle, combination wakes, etc. etc. ad nausea. You just need LOTS of 'sperience . . .

Your 4.3 and that bottom should be smoother than an OB, or even a 3.0 I/O. Weight in the stern can help a lot, but you need to think about the fact that your bottom is really a shallow V as opposed to what many would call a deep V. If you are skipping stones, your bottom would be a great find, if you are trying to knife through stuff, well, uh, errr . . . not so much.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating and rough water

we took water over the bow yesterday in our 23 Ft deck boat, due the a double wake from 2 cruisers, very close together. was extremely had to read. we got in the vortex of waves coming from different directions. it was just a cooling spray on a sunny day.

 

[QC]

Re: New to boating and rough water

Been there ^^^^ twice, once almost exactly as you described, but I had a seawall on the other side of me and I couldn't run . . .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating and rough water

soaked the 4 and the dog in the bow, dog was madder than the people.

 

[dave11]

Re: New to boating and rough water

I have an aluminum boat with a 10* deadrise. I have the same problem but worse. However I was looking for a shallow draft boat. I knew the ride would suck in any kind of chop. My boat does just what I want it to do. I am happy with the tradeoff. As tmh said , "All boats are a compromise".

Enjoy your learning curve.

 

[boatflounder]

Re: New to boating and rough water

If you are on a lake as it sounds you are you should be fine just have tom learn how to read the water, it takes time and can be confusing even after awhile. as an example today I wa sdriving my 22' deep v across the bay following what looked to be about a 14' max whaler and i was having all kinds of trouble holding course, till I realisedI was in their wake pattern. now I drive ships for a living and have been reading the water for twenty years, but still had a few minutes of WTF? so take some time and learn the boat and I think youll feel better.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: New to boating and rough water

I agree that you need to learn your boat better, but that will come with time. Also, give yourself a full season to learn what the chop is like on your lake through out the summer. I have found that the chop at my lake starts to die shortly after the 4th of July. That is because most boaters like to get out in the spring and early summer. As the heat of summer intensifies, there tends to be fewer boats on the water, which leads to less chop. By the time college football starts in late August, the weekend chop almost disappears. Memorial day weekend chop caused by boats will not compare to late summer chop. My favorite time to boat is in October because it is still warm and there are very few boats stirring up the water. Take the operating advice you have received, and then give yourself a full season to see how the chop changes. I think you will notice a little improvement each weekend.