GREAT BOAT !

abl1111 · #1 10-22-2008, 09:16 AM

Was out fishing for stripers last night - it was very windy and rough - heavy wind against a fast current. A rolling, short chop of about 2-3' in my shallow Bay. The sun went down and it was plain old snotty out.

Then, as if a switch was turned on, the wind picked up to 30 mph, or more. The Bay got really ugly - QUICK ! I decided it was time to go. It was more rough than I usually boat in. At first, I was a little anxious, but after 5 minutes of seeing how my 23' Tsunami handled the sea, my confidence was fully restored.

GREAT BOAT !

fishingjoey · #2 10-22-2008, 09:44 AM

There have been a few times when the same has happened to me fishing out of Scituate MA. I own an 86 23ft cc, and I generally don't go out in anything over 3-4 feet but when I get stuck in it every so often the boat really suprises me. Last year my friend and I ran to the southest corner early in the morning as the morning went on the seas built up and I decided to head back to scituate about 18 miles away. The seas were coming from the south west so I had them coming head on to my port quarter. I just trimed the boat into them and did about 15-sixteen knots and I was amazed how well we rode 3-4 foot seas home all the way. Trim tabs realy help them ride even better.

Fr. Frank · #3 10-22-2008, 12:27 PM

If it gets up to 3-5 foot seas, running on plane is NOT a good idea.

Here's why: Wave height is 9/5 of the height of the seas, because seas are measured from sea-level to crest. So in 3'-5' seas, you're talking about waves that are from 5 1/2 to 9 feet high from trough to crest. You need to listen carefully to the forecast. If NOAA says "seas" are 3'-5', then wave height is 5'-9'. If NOAA says "wave height" is 3'-5', then seas are only 1.6' - 2.7'. Knowing the difference can be important.

If you get just one steep-sider or cresting wave in 3'-5' seas, you can stuff even a SeaCraft while running at 18-20 mph, with potentially tragic consequences. If you run off the front of a wave you can drop the bow right through the back of the next wave. Either of those events at 20 mph will just ruin your day. I know, I've done it.

I stuffed a 20' Seafari back in '84, running in to Lake Worth Inlet in a sudden NorthEast winter squall. Seas went from 1-3' with a wave period of 5-6 seconds, to 4-7' with a wave period of 3-4 seconds, all in about 20 minutes time. (It eventually grew to 8'-12') As I was running in from the outer reef off Juno, I was running with the seas at about 18-20 mph, occasionally getting nearly airborne, when I flew over the crest of one wave, and stuffed the bow right into the back of the next wave. Up to that point it had been a lot of fun, a real blast.

The impact ripped my bow rail loose from all 4 forward stanchions and bent it back, and cause minor separation of the cap from the hull along a 4' stretch on the port bow. As the forward cabin hatch was open when we hit the back of the next wave, I must have taken 100 gallons or more of water through the hatch. I slammed my head into the windshield frame, and took a gash requiring 4 stitches. My fishing buddy was standing behind the left pedestal seat, and his weight and impetus ripped the 8 #14 base screws right out of the deck, and he broke his thumb somehow. All because I was in too much of a hurry.

The next time just a few weeks later, being older & wiser, I ran in at the same speed of the waves without any problems, even though the mouth of Lake Worth Inlet was breaking 13'-15'. I just rode the back of a wave in, and it was smooth as silk. It just took longer to get there.

When seas get up suddenly, be prudent, don't give in to an attack of "gethomeitus", use good seamanship, and get back safely.

GradySailfish · #4 10-22-2008, 01:02 PM

I too am impressed with how well my 20 Master Angler performs, sometimes she feels like a much bigger boat. My friend said that these boats are so tough and seaworthy that you tend to go places you shoulden't be !

ab, where on LI are you from. I woulden't mind hitching a ride on a 23 one of these days. I run the western south shore, Jones Inlet to be precise.

My next boat will be a 23. I'm curious, does the Tsunami/Sceptre ride worse then the CC becuase the helm station is further foward >

seakat · #5 12-04-2008, 12:12 AM

I am buying a 20' Master Angler. I think it will trailer nice and will be enough boat. I hope to fish off Watch Hill and also run over to Would love to hear from someone who has this boat. Thank you.
Dennis

eggsuckindog · #6 12-04-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

I am buying a 20' Master Angler. I think it will trailer nice and will be enough boat. I hope to fish off Watch Hill and also run over to Would love to hear from someone who has this boat. Thank you.
Dennis

It will do what ever you want it too, you may get beat and wet but you will never doubt coming home.

scrapper · #7 12-04-2008, 11:49 AM

i have a 23 center console.i bought it,because i went for a ride on one,no kidding ! i had a robablo center console,the ride was terrible,a friend of a friend had a 23 sea craft,i went fishing with them and the rest is history.i've ran my 23 out 60m tuna fishing this year,and i've been to the baltimore and the poormans canyon in it too,the ride is amazing,it's the best boat i ever owned !!

Bigwave · #8 12-05-2008, 07:12 PM

Seakat this is the perfect boat to tow on the road.This Master Angler has been in my family since 74 and its a 72 all original.I spend my summers down the Cape and Rhode Island.It handles rough water very well.It has the best ride in its class.I have a 115 on the back of mine and its plenty of horsepower.You'll be happy with it.

peterb · #9 12-05-2008, 07:26 PM

It is a great riding boat in less than desirable conditions. Also, because of the variable deadrise it drifts better than many of the 23' class high tier deep v cc's.

Scrapper,

I fish just up the road from you. Can't tell you how many times I went out this year in snotty conditions and I would be the only boat under 30' out there (Don't know what that says about my judgement).

Speaking of judgement, tomorrow should be absolutely perfect off of the Jersey shore. Time to go togging for the big boys. Hope to have some pix to post tomorrow evening.

Peter

BillPutney · #10 10-22-2008, 08:25 PM

Great post Fr. Frank I've been in one of those come to Jesus moments and it definitely changes the way you approach things down the road. I've sailed off waves and had the bow take water down the sides of the cap without stuffing the bow but boy was it close .I was not driving but I quickly took the helm.The sea is not forgiving and if you think it is you're in for quite a surprise.