Slapping

[Donald Tyson]

I know I asked this before. I cant figure out where the post was. Please forgive me for re-asking this.
My wife hates the slapping of the boat as we travel across the waters of the mid Atlantic bays and rivers. I generally slow down without being told but according to her I don't slow down enough. How hard can't we let the boat slap or should it always be avoided? Mid afternoon chop coming up from the south on Barnegat Bay becomes a real stew pot once you mix in the Summer Sunday afternoon boat traffic. I rarely go more than 8-10 knts. My sweetheart simply thinks I drive too fast. I see photos of these boats on the west coast leaping down huge waves and they must really slap hard.
Last summer on the inland sea of Lake Champlain we got stuck in late afternoon 3' waves that were rolling and breaking. The wind was not terrible so I headed across them on a 45degree angle and though I doubt I was going more than 4-6 the wife still thought we were being too rough on the boat. All this while my son-in-law carefully zipped in and out and all about in his 24' sea ray, not hardly slapping a bit.
How do you judge what is too fast or too violent for the boat. I had a 24' Carolina skiff and had the same issues there but in those days she was never aboard.

 

[ttking885]

heavy down trim influence. Putting the nose down will help use that V nose to cut through the waves. You wont be going very fast but the ride is much better. I have a permatrim and a set of Bennett trim trabs to achieve enough bow down to force that part of the boat in the water.

 

[Donald Tyson]

heavy down trim influence. Putting the nose down will help use that V nose to cut through the waves. You wont be going very fast but the ride is much better. I have a permatrim and a set of Bennett trim trabs to achieve enough bow down to force that part of the boat in the water.

ttking885, Yes that sounds nice and now I remember that part of the previous conversation but still it doesn't address how much slapping is okay. I have twin 40's and I just lower them all the way and it helps greatly.
I see in videos of C-Dory's crashing through inlets and over the steep waves. I would think that they are really pounding violently.

 

[BigSwede]

The boat can take it, it's more a question if YOU (or your crew) can.

 

[ssobol]

Yes, these boats can pound (slap). You need to get the bow down and slow down. The further aft people ride, the less they will be affected by the pounding. The videos of C-Dorys bounding over the waves doesn't mean they are pounding as they go.
The light weight and flat bottom makes these boats want to go up and over waves, not punch through them like heavier deep V boats. The difference in performance will show up at the fuel dock too.

 

[Donald Tyson]

I think I'm trying to ease my conscience, lol.

 

[drbridge]

When the sea conditions get rough, my wife will sit at the dinette seat to the rear. Just a few feet to the rear makes a big difference in the ride for her.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Your conscience may not appreciate this response. If you want your wife to enjoy being out on the boat with you, drive it to please her. When out on your own, pound it 'till your fillings are knocked out, if you want. While the boat can take it, most people don't like the pounding.

When we went to the Seattle Boat Show years ago, with the intention of buying a C-Dory, an owner (and still my friend) offered us a ride on his boat. We gratefully accepted. He drove the boat hard and it pounded; I could see my wife wasn't happy with the ride. When I was given a chance at the helm, I slowed the boat down and trimmed the bow down. My wife could see that the ride comfort was controllable. We ordered a boat the next day.

This isn't just an incidental observation. I spent years driving commercial boats. Passenger comfort matters.

Sometimes it is about balance: getting through the chop when it is unavoidable... slow down and you spend more time in it; speed up and have a less comfortable ride for a shorter time. Let your wife know what is coming and ask her opinion. Then listen to her opinion. What's the downside?

 

[hardee]

Jim makes really good sense there. Yes the boat might take it, but why make it a miserable ride for a loved one. I know, I might be making assumptions here, but if it's not crash and banging, it's not hard on the boat. If it is, it might be hard on the relationship.

Harvey
SleepyC