Weather and Trihull boat

[jarrpal001]

i am a newbie and just got my first boat. a 16' 72 thunderbird shawnee tri-hull. the question i have is i live in florida close to tampa bay. ive gone out with my boat close to skyway(which i wont do again with my boat-thats another story) as well as cockroach bay and around the big and little bayou and some some lakes. i learned that this boat is not great in choppy waters but when the water is like glass no problem. no problem in the inlands but the bay is unforgiving if its not glass. if i look online or listen to the weather what should i be looking for so i can decide if its alright for me to take the boat out? i like to go fishing so i downloaded the navionics app on my iphone for now but im still trying to understand the tide/current section.
plus ive read a lot about the trihulls and many complain about how you get beat up on choppy water. am i in danger when the waters like that?

 

[Boatist]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

I am no expert on TRI Hulls or your area.
In general when you head out into Open water or the Ocean you want a boat with a deep V.
The Idea is you Want a boat that can cut thru the swells and and push the spray out to the sides.
The problem with a Tri-Hull is it really traps the swell under the boat meaning you have to go over the top of the swell.

Even on a calm day 2 to 3 foot swells you could be in for a very rough ride.

In inland lakes and rivers it is pretty good because the chop most of the time is not big enough to bottom out under the hull and force the boat to go over the chop.
When stopped the Tri-Hull is very stable and will not lean as much as V Hull when the crew moves side to side fighting a fish.

I would not take a Tri-Hull in the ocean unless the Seas are like 2 to 3 feet every 20 seconds.

Good luck and watch for building seas when you are out.

 

[lprizman]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

your time on the bay will be limited with that hull,,,as stated a deep v is ideal,,wind creates waves watch your forecast

 

[jarrpal001]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

when i look at the weather online what should i be looking for regarding winds and waves?today i noticed that the bay is sw at 4mph right now but later it will be wnw at 15mph and tonite n at 15 mph and 4.3 ft waves offshore st petersbug. what does that tell me? plus if i want to take out my boat(not offshore) what should be the specs for me to look for?

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

i am a newbie and just got my first boat. a 16' 72 thunderbird shawnee tri-hull. the question i have is i live in florida close to tampa bay. ive gone out with my boat close to skyway(which i wont do again with my boat-thats another story) as well as cockroach bay and around the big and little bayou and some some lakes. i learned that this boat is not great in choppy waters but when the water is like glass no problem. no problem in the inlands but the bay is unforgiving if its not glass. if i look online or listen to the weather what should i be looking for so i can decide if its alright for me to take the boat out? i like to go fishing so i downloaded the navionics app on my iphone for now but im still trying to understand the tide/current section.
plus ive read a lot about the trihulls and many complain about how you get beat up on choppy water. am i in danger when the waters like that?

First thing, take a boater safety course. It may save your life and the lives of others. As stated by Boatist, a tri-hull is very stable in calm waters. The water does not have to be like glass. In-so-far as what to look for in the weather forecasts, aside from the obvious, wind, thunder, and small craft advisories, stay alert during weather fronts (cold or warm). Some of the best fishing is during a front. The fish sense the change in barometric pressure immediately, and want to feed ferociously because they instinctively know that food is about to become harder to find. Changes in weather are preceded by a front. The more drastic the change, the bigger the front. It may happen any time regardless of forecasts. The change in weather may be days away, and may just as easily be minutes. When the breeze turns cooler, or warmer, you're feeling it happening. If you have injured or worn/stressed joints, you'll feel it there, as pain, tingling, or various other sensations. Pay attention to everything that goes on around you. Hope I helped.

Safe and happy boating always!!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

when i look at the weather online what should i be looking for regarding winds and waves?today i noticed that the bay is sw at 4mph right now but later it will be wnw at 15mph and tonite n at 15 mph and 4.3 ft waves offshore st petersbug. what does that tell me? plus if i want to take out my boat(not offshore) what should be the specs for me to look for?

lprizman put it well... "Your time will be limited on the bay" The bay is protected from the offshore swells; but still affected. Can't tell you what it's going to be like , but always take into consideration what's going on offshore, and see how it effects the bays. With experience, you'll learn quickly if you pay close attention to even the smallest details. Have a great time out there. Wish I could go with you.

Safe and happy boating always!!!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

Weather reports are just a clue to what you will find when you hit the water. Also here in Florida you can get rater violent afternoon thundershowers that are not in the forecast.

Years back I had a 19' tri-hull and used it extensively in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. More than once I had to turn around and put it back on the trailer in wind/water that I would feel very comfortable in now up on plane in my 23' V hull CC.

 

[Off Duty]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

lprizman put it well... "Your time will be limited on the bay" The bay is protected from the offshore swells; but still affected. Can't tell you what it's going to be like , but always take into consideration what's going on offshore, and see how it effects the bays. With experience, you'll learn quickly if you pay close attention to even the smallest details. Have a great time out there. Wish I could go with you.

Safe and happy boating always!!!

Been lurking a while, finally registered and just been reading, so before I get started with my 1st post here, Hello!


The one thing that I see that this wx report is going to tell you, is where you'll likely want to do your boating, especially with that tri-hull.

In Tampa, many parts of our bay are sheltered by a causeway, other land masses, natural and manmade shelters.

Depending on the wind speed and direction, I've seen it almost a smooth as glass on one side of the causeway or a break, and rougher than a cobb on the other.

I'd take a dingy out on the calm side and wouldn't venture into the other without something more substantial.

Weather reports are just a clue to what you will find when you hit the water. Also here in Florida you can get rater violent afternoon thundershowers that are not in the forecast.

Years back I had a 19' tri-hull and used it extensively in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. More than once I had to turn around and put it back on the trailer in wind/water that I would feel very comfortable in now up on plane in my 23' V hull CC.

I agree with the Wx changes he just mentioned.
This morning was a great example.
I'm sitting in my office, looking out the window.
Nasty gray overcast hung low, the wind picked up, and all of a sudden, there was a torrential downpour. Looked like we were in for a all day'er.

About 5-10 minutes, the rain stopped as abruptly as it began, the wind settled to a calm breeze, the gray skies lifted and we had a beautiful day in Tampa!

I'm a retired motor cop and former Coastie.
We've always had a saying in Florida.
"It's Florida!
If you don't like the weather, give it 5 miles or 5 minutes...it'll change!"

As for the tri hull, I've spent my time of a few, and for anything other than cruising the ICW, a lake or river on a calm day, I choose to avoid them in favor of a Cat-hull or Deep V.

Hope I've helped a little?

Fair Winds and a Following Sea!

All the best in your decision.

 

[jarrpal001]

Re: Weather and Trihull boat

thanks everyone for your help!

my plans are to someday own a v-hull c/c. a friend has a 17'6" key largo and what a difference on the ride.