Trimming in chop?

[airdvr1227]

Leaving PIB last week we encountered 3-4' chop. Really slowed us down. I tried several different trim settings and couldn't get comfortable so I just trimmed all the way down and rode through it. Depending on which direction the waves were coming in to me sometimes I was plowing through them while other times I was surfing down the backs. Anyone experience this?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trimming in chop?

plenty. boats handle differently and conditions are never equal either; 3' waves caused by wind and those caused by current, or the various combinations, require different approaches. But generally, with a V hull, you want to trim down to cut off the tops of the waves, but not so much that you plow into them. With large ones you use the throttle to adjust your ride up a wave, your drop down its back, and your approach up--sometimes you have to give it gas almost at the bottom to lift the bow for the next one.

And following seas can be a whole nother thing.

It takes lots of practice. I recommend, with a new boat, going out in rough conditions (while still being safe) to learn this, and practicing on large boat wakes, but without the screaming meemies on board.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Trimming in chop?

If you are travelling with the waves, and faster than them, I hope, you want the bow up so you don't plow into the back of the wave you are catching up to. Trim up some and put your tabs up if you have adjustable ones.
If you are heading into the waves you need the bow down to get a smoother ride and cut through the peaks. Trim in and tabs down. Boats with less bow rise are much better in these conditions so tabs, a foil, or an inboard will make it more comfortable.
Going sideways can be very dangerous and is usually not a good idea.
Of course a bigger boat is almost always better, and finding a bay that's shielded is great.

I strongly agree with Home Cookin' that you should go out in a storm to learn how to control the boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Welcome to my world.

I don't touch the trim. Put some trim tab down and full steam ahead.

Don't be afraid to push your speed up either. Each boat rides differently, but with mine, more speed is better when things get ?sporty?.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Only wished I could call 3-4' waves chop . I'm waiting to see how my boat handles . Thanks for posting tips H.C. . I got caught out of Singer Island in Fla. it went to 10-13' in a 28footer and had to drive I was the only one who wasent so sick when boat went down a wave all I could see was water all around and found out how bad boats don't go uphill very well. Was glad i was still young and fearless and will never forget the fun . Fishing was so good we weren't watching weather but before it got bad we had alot of king fish and spanish mackerel .

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Welcome to my world.

I don't touch the trim. Put some trim tab down and full steam ahead.

Don't be afraid to push your speed up either. Each boat rides differently, but with mine, more speed is better when things get ?sporty?.

I hate the sound of my hull crashing down onto the water. The whole tub shudders and I'm pretty certain that some electical connection somewhere is going to come loose at the least opportune moment.

How much pounding are these hulls designed to take?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trimming in chop?

I took a look at your hull. I see why you're "crashing" down into the water. With that deadrise your destine to a life of pounding. Too much flat surface, not enough "cutting" edge.

Can't say how much of a pounding your boat will hande. Mine takes far more abuse than my body is capabile of handling.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Welcome to Lake Erie, summers here and the storms come and go. I always check the weather and the link below. I'll bet you check your anchor setup with a whole new perspective. LOL They sure are a life saver. Besides you can enjoy that new camper top out.


http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=45005

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Welcome to Lake Erie, summers here and the storms come and go. I always check the weather and the link below. I'll bet you check your anchor setup with a whole new perspective. LOL They sure are a life saver. Besides you can enjoy that new camper top out.


http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=45005

Watch that link alot. ALso tune into the VHF weather broadcasts. Anchor, that's another thing. My anchor rides in a locker in the bow. It's a PITA on a calm day. Need to address that.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Boaters from and on Lake Erie could you take a look at my Boat and tell me if it would be capable of 2-3' ,3-5' waves and capable of run from Turtle Creek to West Sister and Back ? 1987 Thompson 196CC 19' Sea Rage 3.0L Mercruiser w/AlphaOne outdrive , 27 gal fuel . Was taught 1/3 rule so added kicker for moving in drifts and trolling slowlywith fuel efficent johnson 4.5hp twin .

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Boaters from and on Lake Erie could you take a look at my Boat and tell me if it would be capable of 2-3' ,3-5' waves and

Wave heights are meaningless w/o giving a wave period. I would take 6' rollers on a 10 second period over over a 2' chop in a confused sea in the heartbeat.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Wave heights are meaningless w/o giving a wave period. I would take 6' rollers on a 10 second period over over a 2' chop in a confused sea in the heartbeat.

Yep found out on local lake with about 2' chop following a freind with 24' Formula Thunderbird I had to slow down and he could keep it open I swear i was sideways and airborn and rpms 6000 before I slowed down

 

[mommicked]

Re: Trimming in chop?

Ouch