Motoring in rough water...

Guys there is just no substitute for a 21 footer. I have a Yarcraft 18.95 and it does ok in rough water. It is very solid and safe but compared to almost any 21 footer it rides like a rodeo bull. That extra couple of feet makes all the difference. They can plane up in water that I am picking my way through. Hull design is important,but as in most things, no matter what you hear, length does matter.Mrt.

Love that "Sweet Spot" comment. I have a 1974 18.5' Starcraft that I just redid from the hull up. I can take that puppie intob2-3' waves wide open and "get on top". It bumpy but not bad. Best ride I've ever been on in Lake M was a 16.5' Lund! Second to that was a 17' fiberglass Smokercraft! Play with the throttle and how you are going into the seas!

Completely depends on how your boat handles, and what the waves are like (like mentioned below). On our boat, we can usually find a sweet spot where we're either riding on top of or just plowing the waves, but still gently slip into the next one instead of slapping it. Usually just before getting on full plane, maybe call it half-plane? Also, get used to reading the waves and try to quarter them instead of directly into or parallel to.

A lot depends on the weight of the boat, deadrise, material, etc.

Thanks guys for the info.

I had a 2001 Tyee 1850 that saw more than it's share of rough water from GB eyes to Lake Mich. salmon fishing. If it's marginally rough trim down and go slow, if it's real bad trim up and go slower. I know exactly what you're talking about! I asked myself the same question many many times. There's no good answer. It's just not going to be a smooth ride in rough seas. I now own an Alumacraft Trophy 205. The Alumacraft is considerably larger than the Tyee 1850. The Alumacraft is day and night difference in big water! It's unbelievable how much better it is. I've come to the conclusion that although the Tyee 1850 is a very nice boat, it's not good in rough water. The 1950's are better but still no where near the comfort of my 21' Alumacraft. Go slow and ride em out.

I have a 16' aluminum boat, and when it gets real windy on winnebago, I have to take it easy too. If I hammer it back, I will have loose screws inside the boat. I try to keep it to where the front of the boat stays high in the water so I don't get soaked.

One weekend I was in a pro tournament and rode in two different boats on two very windy days. The first day I was in a 21' ranger. We were doing 50mhp in rough water and that boat could take the waves and ride pretty good without too much bouncing or rough ride. The next day, I was in a 19' lund ( aluminum ). Talk about a hard ride, my balls were slapping down on the chair on every wave. Talk about pain.I thought for sure that boat was going to split open. I believe that the ranger had those fancy spring seats in it too. The lund did not, so that makes a difference too. So just take it easy out there.

Way too many variables. Do you need to get back with, across or against ? I was promoted from Captain to Admiral going against the waves on Rainy Lake with a 15 ft. Lund and a 15 HP motor. 4 -5 foot swells. Hammer it on the down side to bring the bow up for the next wave, as it hits throtle down, the prop would scream as I aimed into the next wave.

White knucles for miles. Been ther surfed it.

I have a small Ranger and try not to beat it up anymore than necessary. Generally slow is best, sometimes fast is better. In between is usually the worst. Lightning or other life threatening situations the boat takes a beating, I go as fast as I can stand it.