stuffing - Page 3

Simon Hawkins · 17 August 2005, 11:21

The same principle will apply for the solent waters. I myself have been in the solent in some pretty severe conditions. The only difference would be the speed you travel and also your reaction times as the waves are alot closer together therefore throttle movem,ent have to be quicker.

You are correct in trim of the engine, so in a following sea trim out as much as you can without losing directional control and stabililty, in a head sea you need to trim in the engine therefore cutting through the waves. In really bad conditions then traverse the waves to find a less harsher route through.

boatbuoy · 17 August 2005, 16:44

It seems like we are now largely arguing or suggesting the same argument! I think at the end of the day, just experiment a bit safely. When you get it right, you stay dry and have a smooth ride. If you get it wrong, you'll feeling it!

Simon B · 17 August 2005, 17:07

I recieved an excellent demo from a BSAC approved boathandling instructor, he powered up the front of the wave and took some but not all of the power off just as the bow passed the crest of the wave. Then power back on. The boat then went down the back of the wave under control (with engine trimmed out slightly). The action was swift, slight tug back on throttle then slight push forward, like a very quick gear change.

This was in a Delta so not sure how lower bows perform. I also witnessed a proper stuffing from a person who had not ever been in waves this was in short sharp chop. Not that high, but it launched the boat skyward into the toe of the next wave. For a second we saw water filling the boat to the top of the tubes.

What is an anti stuffing strap? Heard Codders mention it once

DGR · 17 August 2005, 18:40

I find that it depends on what speed you are doing when you see the wave coming at you!!

If you can use power to get through/over it then that's OK - but if I get enough time/warning and there is a big set of waves coming in, I usually have time to almost stop the boat - face into the wave and just ride over it - no-one gets that wet - and it's quite comfortable.

The times that I've stuffed our RIB (twice) it tends to be when I get very little (or no) notice of the hole on the other side of a wave - and you literally have no time to react and fall into it!!

The thing I found most difficult was trimming/powering the boat to the right 'average' conditions for the waves/sea, and then being able to change it quick enough to react when you encounter something different.

The trips I run go out over a sandbar - which with wind over tide can change almost instantly - I've gone out at almost flat calm, and come back 25 minutes later with waves coming in over the front and the back at the same time - the only thing that stopped us broaching then was power to make sure that the back end didn't get caught and swung out.

It was fun afterwards......(in the pub)...

D...

Chopppywaters · 17 August 2005, 18:55

anti stuffing strap? i wonder how that works

DGR · 17 August 2005, 19:01

If it's what I think it is - then it doesn't stop you stuffing, but makes sure that the tube doesn't rip off the boat when you do!! It is a reinforcing webbing strap that goes over the tubes at the front.

D...

kitten · 17 August 2005, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

The thing I found most difficult was trimming/powering the boat to the right 'average' conditions for the waves/sea, and then being able to change it quick enough to react when you encounter something different.

D...

Foot throttle and trim set up like idicator switch on the car makes all this so much easier.

DGR · 18 August 2005, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitten

Foot throttle and trim set up like idicator switch on the car makes all this so much easier.

...now there's an idea......

More bits for the RIB - I will be popular...

Seaharrier · 18 August 2005, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitten

Foot throttle and trim set up like idicator switch on the car makes all this so much easier.

We do have such a trim set up. Very handy

. Left one for the hydrolic lift right one for the trim.

DGR · 18 August 2005, 18:42

My only problem with that is that you need to be sat down to use a foot throttle. I like to stand up when I'm driving, and look over the windscreen

.

Alan Priddy · 21 August 2005, 15:49

Or buy a hard nosed REDBAY with lots of power and keep the power on. I have never been in any boat, hard or rib that punches water like these babies. If you ever get the oportunity to sea trial one of Toms boats, especialy in Ireland or Scotland, jump at it. You will never consider thinking about buying any other type of boat.

Alan P

Manos · 21 August 2005, 16:06

You wouldn't suffer any of thjat if you had bought a MAR.CO

The forefoot of this boat (thanks Mr Jonny boy) is very high and stuffing is unheard of fot this boat irrespective of sea conditions.

The rest are stories for children.

Have alook and see. None (or better VERY FEW i.e one manufacture may come close???) of the British built RIBs are anything near like this one.

A 9 mtr COBRA just on the righ between the cruisers

and the bow of my boat is at the same level as the cruiser next to mine.

Chopppywaters · 21 August 2005, 16:21

if you have pressure relief valves does stuffing really matter?

Seaharrier · 21 August 2005, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Priddy

Or buy a hard nosed ...

I must agree with the hard nose. Just punch through the waves! And if the nose goes under, let the elephant trunks do there job and continue!

swginn · 21 August 2005, 17:25

[QUOTE=Manos] Have alook and see. None (or better VERY FEW i.e one manufacture may come close???) of the British built RIBs are anything near like this one.QUOTE]

Is this what you mean by high forefoot?? Built in Cork, Ireland. Not much chance of stuffing one of these babies!!

Have to agree with Alan about the Redbays though. Built to go through pretty much anything. There can't be many RIBs out there more capable than these for offshore cruising. So when's yours ready then Mr. Priddy??

swginn · 21 August 2005, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

if you have pressure relief valves does stuffing really matter?

Yes. Pressure relief valves won't stop your tubes being ripped off the bow!!

They might stop them from bursting maybe, but in the event of a major stuff I really can't see them making much of a difference. Use a stuffing strap if you are worried, it doesn't even have to be a strap. I take my 2 bow warps from the bow eye and run them over the bow and tie them tightly around a cleat on the inside of the tube in front of my anchor locker.

Have never needed them yet though (touch wood!!) but in theory they should go a long way to keeping your bow tube where it should be!! Best method to avoid stuffing is training and experience IMHO but its always good to have a fail-safe.