A SeaCraft in Fresh Water?

[Capt Chuck]

OK Guys anyone got some clues [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Well it is interesting as I took my SeaCraft through the six sets of locks and out across Lake Okeechobee crossing the State of Fla. to Ft Myers (Forgot to say Hi to That70sBoat) [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] The wind was honking out of the NW at 15-20 knts. It was every bit of 3' to 4' nasty water. (the Lakes only 9'deep in most areas)
Well to make a long story short, the boat acked really squirrelly. It just didn't handle like I am used too in those kind of waves/waters! I have experienced many different sea conditions over 19 years of owning this boat. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Could these maneuvering problems I encountered be contributed to Fresh Water vs Salt Water and it's boyenceny [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Chuck
I really can’t say for sure but my 2 cense would say if the seas are 3-4 ‘ and the bottom is only 9’ then you probably had some sort of effect from the action of the boat with the bottom like currents or displacement of water more than the difference of fresh to salt. Some times the waves build up differently in shallow water then in deep like the distance between waves and such like I have noticed some different effects coming in from fishing in 100’ of water compared to going over the sand bar just before getting into the inlet.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[ocuyler]

Capt. Chuck,

We get a lot of that type of water on lake ontario on the south shore. The waves are very steep and close together and entirely different than what I have seen in the Atlantic. The Chesapeke is like that too. You get used to it. But when they say 6 footers up here, every Capt. thinks 2 ot 3 time before going out in any boat under 40'.

Fresh water? I don't know, but the boat gets washed for free..

[ocuyler]

Capt. Chuck,

I have a couple questions. If you were crossing to the West, the seas were quartering off the starbord, right? Do you have trim tabs, if so, how did you adjust them to improve the ride?

I think I know the answer to this question: did you get wet?

[Capt Chuck]

HI Otto

Yes I have Tabs! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Yes I used Them! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Yes my wife & frieds took on some muddy water [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
No I stayed dry (I'm selfish behind the curtains and I'm the capt. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Actually to cross according to the suggested route,because of the shallow areas, it is a 4 leg deal (approx 19 miles if I recall)heading in differnt directions of which only one of them we had a following sea which gave us some relief. No of the legs is directly east/west. I would have never expected the twisting and slapping off the quarters those waves gave. I was really supprised how they would build so close together and about 1 out of 4 or so would be the 4'range. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

I guess you being in those lakes have experience what I'm trying to explain. It was dirty muddy water with water hyaciens (sp) floating everywhere which I tried to affoid so as not to get sucked in the impeller! coupled with old timber pieces that would difinately do the number on the prop. I wondered how those bass boat dudes with the little boat sides and big HP survive?

I couldn't back off and not go as I had prepaid non-refunable deposits on the other side. I guess I should have put her up on the trailer and towed it over but how else do you gain such life experiences???

PS The dry wall bucket for a Porti-Potti used by the ladies was another story [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] He! He!

[TUGBOAT]

Freshwater / Saltwater Yep it does make a differance. In Your Boat ? shallow water will shorten those waves ? Close together/& tall.Which makes for a NASTY RIDE & they'll even seem to come from everywhere in places.I ran a 65'Steel Hull from Lantana to Ft.Myers in '83? NO WATER Drought it was raining the lake rose a lil' we(2 boats) took off.Had quiet a following of Glass boats in OUR drege line.
This is one reason this plimsoll mark is put on ships(Fresh/Salt)Load / bouyancy .Oh imagine the Gulf of Mexico at 20"trs are rolling THRU Ya !
Bout the same conditions.
Scream'n reels'
"TUG" [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Oh yea YOU MADE IT !!!!!
How long did it take ya ?Interesting trip ! swing bridges(train) ! & locks !!

[ January 08, 2004, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: Capt. Brad ]

[Capt Chuck]

Hey Capt Brad

Original Post---> yea YOU MADE IT !!!!!
How long did it take ya ?Interesting trip ! swing bridges(train) ! & locks !

Yea Buddy but I had to come back don't forget [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
It wasn't as bad on the return legs as the winds had shifted to the west as the front went through! Whew, about 9 hours and approx 72 gals of fuel. I topped off in Ft Myers and then spent the night in Cabbage Key (Quite a place) [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

The locks hold ya up if you get there when there loading the west bounders first or visa versa.
The train trestle was open already just buzzed on buy. I ran approx 32 mph in the clear canals. I would do it again thou. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

PS Where's that Frenzie so I can score that blowfish?

[TUGBOAT]

Capt. Steele,
The Purple/Gold Blowfish lure is/best used on Lucy Street ! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[kricharda]

You got a good fresh/salt water note from Capt. Brad. I can tell you that the shallow water with (long fetch and winds from the same direction for awhile) makes a big difference. On the Chesapeake it averages 20, maybe 25 feet deep and the waves are steep and close together. About a 40 footer spans two or three crests. Trim becomes very important, bow down. Three footers keep a lot of people in the marina - but not the Seacrafts.

[Dave Hirshberg]

Hey chuck,
Sorry I missed Ya. my office is right on the river about 1/4 mile past the city yacht basin. That lake Sucks. In my business I've be across many times and unless its flat calm in the summer its terrible and poorly marked too. You lose bouyancy in the fresh water so your boat works harder to get thru it and feels heavier. I noticed a couple knots difference from the river out into the gulf.
Cabbage key is neat isn't it? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]