Sibbing in big waves anyone ?

[PeterM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=fb8_A1bHJnk

A quiet moment on the web showed this up...

I'd want a bigger boat !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVq2V5B4ukU&NR=1

[sinner]

Looks fun!!!

They weren't waves, but in the 80's I was in 25' swells between Kodiak and Afognak islands in Alaska. My 20hp barely had enough umpff to get to the tops, but it sure screamed coming down the backsides!

Those conditions are why I love my sib.... it will handle much rougher weather than an other boat that I can afford.

[PeterM]

I thought the first vid was interesting....need to be confident in the boat and your handling of it in anything tlike that size of breaking swell( small boat, big waves!). Lets not forget it never looks as BIG in the videos .....

[C-NUMB]

Great videos Pretty rough conditions consider its not a big boat, looks like a aerotec 380. Guess they have good gear and a experienced skipper, most Sunday boaters would not do that.....

[Screaming04]

It's all fun and games until someone goes over the side or he takes a wave over the bow.

[Sea Witch]

That b made crack on my zapcat !!!!!

[Festinghouse]

people often under estimate the capabilities of a sib, its never very comfortable, but always good fun. if you are going to just be a fair weather boater then why have a sib or a rib? - rowing boats are much cheaper! as long as you match your speed etc to the conditions then you can go out in all but the worst conditions.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

people often under estimate the capabilities of a sib, its never very comfortable, but always good fun.

I concur. He's travelling at a sensible speed. It looks like a small section of wind over tide at a bar or sandbank. Probably fine outside. The handheld camera action makes it look sportier than it is.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

It's all fun and games until someone goes over the side or he takes a wave over the bow.

Doesn't seem to be in any immediate risk of going over the side though? And if he has some sort of elephant trunk / self bailer even a big stuff is just cold. Unlike much larger boats where the electrics etc get wet, the crew hit a solid console etc. To my mind he wasn't in any immediate danger if the engine cut out - which is usually my main concern about taking small boat in big waves.

[AKBronco2]

I hit 15'+ swells and 6' chop this year in mine. Luckily was out with another member on here as a backup. Never blew a single wave over the front. Only water in boat was from 40mph winds and rain. Would have taken video but my hands were glued to the wheel and throttle. You know it's bad when a 40'+ fiberglass boat ducks out of the weather as we blow by him.