20' Seacraft Limits.

askipper3 · #1 10-12-2007, 09:11 PM

Just a thought...how big is big when it comes to the waves, in a 20' SF. In other words, what is pushing it, and what is the norm.?

Im really crazy, so I just want to know what you guys thought!

#2 10-12-2007, 09:32 PM

its not so much the wave height, but how theyre stacked up. anything more than 2-3 is gonna be uncomfortable if theyre tight, or you wont make more than about 15kts.

Bigshrimpin · #3 10-12-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

its not so much the wave height, but how theyre stacked up. anything more than 2-3 is gonna be uncomfortable if theyre tight, or you wont make more than about 15kts.

Oh no . . . 2-3 that's when you speed up to 30 - 35 knots

The boat lifts up and you ride the tops with the tabs down and let the prop breathe.

#4 10-12-2007, 11:47 PM

its that stray 5-6 you gotta watch out for...

CaptLloyd · #5 10-13-2007, 12:23 AM

Well said JohnB! But let's all try to remember that this is "recreational" boating, if the seas are running 4'+, instead of heading for the ocean, cruise to the local Tiki Bar!

Lloyd

Bryan A. · #6 10-13-2007, 08:10 PM

20 SF at home in those conditions.

JohnB · #7 10-13-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Oh no . . . 2-3 that's when you speed up to 30 - 35 knots

The boat lifts up and you ride the tops with the tabs down and let the prop breathe.

Works great till you stuff the nose

.
Bryan, how fast was that boat going when the picture was taken? Looks like it is barely on plane.

JohnB · #8 10-12-2007, 09:44 PM

The rule of thumb I use for charters has more to do with the period than the wave height, and to some extent the direction of the wind/waves. I usually like the wave period to be at least twice the wave height. In a 20' SeaCraft, 3' on 6 sec is about as tall and fast as I would want to fish, and 5' on most any period is all I would want to play with. If I had an experienced crew of fishing buddies, I might push it a bit, but I have had a couple of days this year having to run 35 miles of ocean in 4' on 4 seconds or less, and the boat is fine, but the crew can't hardly walk upright the next day. These boats will take a lot more abuse than the crew can absorb, and I am usually in the 23'.

The boat/rigging, the captain's experience, the distance to be traveled, local knowledge, and the crew really make the final determination. An inexperienced captain, even with the best boat and crew can get himself in trouble. The reason I would pick 5' is some of the inlets in and out of Florida with an outgoing tide and an east wind make for a major spincter muscle exercise getting in and out. I had a 9' wave come over the top of my 23' the second time I took it out going out of Sebastian Inlet.

If your going out of Stuart, you guys catch dolphin and sailfish within sight of land, so you have short runs in and out. Up here out of Canaveral and Ponce, we usually run 30 miles before we start to fish. Given the shorter runs, if the weather turns, your closer to the dock, and in case of an emergency, help is closer to you. You can be a little more agressive if there is only 10 miles between you and safety. The 20' SeaCraft is probably one of the most sea worthy 20' boats out there, but it still is only 20 feet. If it has an open transom and you lose power, that open transom will be pointing into the waves in about 30 seconds. If it has a bracket, it is safer, but still is a 20' boat.

I think the 20' was really designed best for the keys and south florida where you have shorter runs to the fishing grounds. IMHO, it is the perfect keys boat. I don't like it as well up here, because you are usually watching the fuel gauge, and 35 miles each way in a 20' boat is not a picnic in anything more than 3'.

NoBones · #9 10-12-2007, 09:57 PM

JohnB hit the nail on the head !!!
More than likely the boat will take more then you can.

Just my opinion....
See ya, Ken

oldbluesplayer · #10 10-15-2007, 12:02 PM

I'll also second JohnB's thoughts, especially with the CC model.

Running a 20' Seafari up here in the northeast, we don't have all the inlets you Florida folks have, but the Mouth of the Mac is, I believe, on the 10 best list, I've seen standing 8 footers in the mouth, but they're more like humps, or cones, and you can slolom around and across their shoulders.

Open ocean 8 footers on a 10 sec period, with no breeze, calm surface, are no sweat, but...

reason I don't like open bow boats, I've been caught out and come in with water coming over the bow - in 5-8's I've had green water come right up the bow - foredeck, and right over the windsheild, of my Seafari; fortunately was a short couple miles to get back in - I would Not want to be in a CC in those conditions.

Up to 4 - 5, with careful driving, you can keep the bow out of the water. You get into 5-6's, wind faced and close stacked, you're not going to be able to avoid getting Real Wet in a real hairy way.

Me - 2-3's/3-4's and worsening, it's time to beat it home.

my .02

Bill