Tomcat in big wind waves?

W

Westie

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Jun 8, 2014
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C Dory Year
2006
C Dory Model
255 Tomcat
Vessel Name
True North
Hi,
I have been fishing SF bay a lot lately. We get some pretty good wind and accompanying wind waves. I am struggling to find a comfortable ride in following (or 45 degrees) wind waves. I feel like I'm getting sucked in to a wave and then the next one hits and I feel a slide that I dont like. Would permitabs help? Should I travel directly with the waves and cut over?

These conditions are maybe 3-4 foot waves very closely stacked.

Any general advice would be helpful.
 
We had 4-5' wind waves last weekend. We had to head into them until we rounded the peninsula, then had them hitting us broadside for the ride home. When there are short intervals it's no fun at any speed. Despite the pounding we took we felt better knowing we weren't in a monohull. I've had more than my share of feeling like we were going to capsize with every swell.
 
Fortunately this feeling is common in most power cats--even the big ones (60 or so feet), but the boats just slide sideways as you describe. To capsize, you would need breaking waves, of 16 feet or more, and a very short period. The capsize is not going to happen with reasonable boat handling skills.

Would trim tabs help?
Click to expand...
Trim tabs are difficult to put on cats. It might be possible with the Tom Cat and the Armstrong Bracket, but there is some question about what the water flow would be like, and actually increasing handling problems.

I put Permatrims on the Suzuki 150's, to see if I could get a lower planing speed--I was successful, but all in all, I didn't think they were worth it. I don't think they would help the issues you describe. Enjoy the boat, get used to its handling characteristics, and don't worry. I believe that you know the SF bay/entrance well enough that you would not put the boat in harms way.
 
I live in Eureka Ca. in the open ocean we get those conditions way to often. Dr. Bob "Thataway" is correct. I have never come close to a capsize and have been caught in conditions that are much worse than you describe. I have found that if we 1/4 the waves it is a more comfortable ride. And when possible I try for a following sea. The Tomcat does slip in the trough a little. But, it is a very stable platform. Just try to stay out of conditions that you do not feel are safe.

Gene
 
I always try to 1/4 the waves, and in that type of waves, following seas are much smoother than banging into them head or even 1/4 on.
 
Thanks for the advice!

I was out again today and the wind machine was tuned up. It wasn't as bad as yesterday. The waves were maybe 3' and I tilted the engine to raise the bow and kept enough speed to advance though them - very comfortable.

I think I just need to get used to the feeling of a cat. It's a fishing machine but, like every boat, has it's characteristics.

Oh - I landed a nice 15 lbs Chinook and was treated to a serious whale show today so that made for a great 4th!

Thanks again!
 
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