Rib driving technique in strong following sea..? - Page 2

Hightower · 05 July 2011, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

Andy, do i remember seeing you some years ago on a ribnet spin with your sister and an inflated auto life jacket after close encounter with a large wave in following sea?

The conditions were lumpy and confused as the tide was running. The wave was from a passing pilot boat coming out from Southampton, we weren't going fast as we were loitering off of Calshot waiting for RIBbers for our cruise to Yarmouth. The wake was bloody moutainous and broke over my Bow. I ducked and missed most of the water, my Sister was sitting behind me and to one side, she got the whole lot

Was funny as you like!

Zippy · 05 July 2011, 17:59

Lol!! Can still picture it now!!! Ahh the delights of solent chop!!!

With regard big following seas, practice gives you a better chance of success but I wouldn't mind betting most people catch one wrong at some point! I haven't stuffed one he but have come mighty close on a few occasions!!

As people say. Know you boat, trim and power in control and a big smile!!! It often makes fo a far more comfortable ride than into a head sea.

Jonny H · 05 July 2011, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by sib

maybe it`s just me but I find it much easier driving the rib into a headwind than with a tailwind and surfing.

has anyone got any tips for driving with a following sea ? I trim up a bit to try and avoid a stuffing, the boat is 5.8m long

any hints much appreciated

thanks

If you can still get it a book called Powerboats In Rough Seas by Dag Pike was a good read if i remember right

wavelength · 06 July 2011, 18:31

following sea- trim up, power on, the best fun you can have with your clothes on!

BogMonster · 06 July 2011, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

following sea- trim up, power on, the best fun you can have with your clothes on!

You don't have to do it with your clothes on... be a bit nippy here tho

kubcat · 06 July 2011, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

following sea- trim up, power on, the best fun you can have with your clothes on!

Absolutely, after years of racing offshore powerboats in the ocean at insane speeds I can definitely agree. Funnily enough, no one has ever got seasick with us in a race boat at speed, the adrenaline fixes that I think .... and it would make a mess of the helmet.

But I also have seen them break so make sure the boat is up to it.

Having said that, personally I wouldn't go out in a boat that wasn't built strong enough to take a pounding and everything can be strapped down tight anyway.

Nos4r2 · 10 July 2011, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

following sea- trim up, power on, the best fun you can have with your clothes on!

Yep, love it

I was playing with the following sea off South Cornwall on Wednesday. When I came off the throttle just before the 6 knot buoys coming back into Fowey I surfed for a good 200 yards at 17 knots with the throttle closed (and no, the following sea when I throttled down wasn't big enough to cause a problem if I broached)

gtflash · 11 July 2011, 20:02

My ol girl is stronger in a head sea, however she runs very well with following sea, I cant trim up too much as she takes to the air more this way round. I admit i could slow down, but its good air, and toooooooooooooooo good too miss. If i have company i run just a bit faster than the sea, with more trim up. If im alone, i trim down a bit, catch some waves and air. Never fails to create a smile.

Incidently, the only time I got caught out of my boat or my depth, the head sea was what nearly killed us, the turn and run was 20 miles following sea, and it seemed a much safer bet, after a potential capsize and split head