How rough can I go?

Jklingel · 29 June 2005, 03:57

I am about to receive a Ribcraft 6.5m, aluminum hull. I am pretty experienced at running boats, but never a RHIB. In practical terms, how big of seas should I expect to be able to handle comfortably? Rollers don't count for stink; I mean white-caps and choppy. I've been in 5-6 footers, with wind and white caps, in my 16' Zod, but it produced a tad of pucker power. At the time, I pined for something a tad larger, better hull, etc. Thanks. j

eupa · 29 June 2005, 09:34

depends on how big your balls are....
Seriousely
In my 29 footer I can go out easily in 4-6 ft. wave heights-force 4/6) but there is only realy one guide and that is YOUR EXPERIENCE. There are too many factors to take into account and a suitable one liner is not very helpful.

jonathan

boatster · 29 June 2005, 10:36

"Bigger is better."

This coming from a guy in a 13' rib.

But seriously, I've gone up to 28 miles offshore in 2-4' wind chopish swell. Winds at most 15 knots. I know my boat can handle more but it does depend on the driver because even in these conditions I can see the possibilty for flipping if you do something wrong. Given that I'm pretty conservative in my speed I'm usually pretty safe. A bigger well balanced rib could probably cut through the waves easily. Even then anything is possible. I see it like this, the more capable your boat is, the more capability for something to happen. Kinda like SUV's, they're more versatile but people still flip em.

Jimbob · 29 June 2005, 12:07

A few things that might help, however experience is key

1) Your boat will be designed for certain wave height

2) I have a 26ft boat and i go out in all conditions, but the thing that gets me in the end is being tossed around, after a while you need a rest

3) I used to have a little humber 17ft, with this i was a little more careful as the boat would get full of water

4) When we first started we when out in F2-F4 to get used to what happens and then built up our experience

Rob Jones · 29 June 2005, 20:08

I have a 5.5m Tornado (14 years old)

I made a solo crossing of 35 miles in a force 6. I had 5m waves rolling under me for 4 hours. Once you get into the swing of it you will be fine. The waves are un avoidable and I found that they just come to you.

P.S - I bought the boat 5 months ago and had never been in a RIB prior to that.

EdwardH · 30 June 2005, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Jones

I had 5m waves rolling under me for 4 hours.

ahem **cough*cough* 5metre?

excuse my secpticism - but really were they 5metre rollers or 5 foot rollers?

5 metres in a rib is a very big wave for anywhere outside of the pub...

danny · 30 June 2005, 08:29

You mean like this ?

5 to 8 meter waves?

gingercoastie · 30 June 2005, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdwardH

ahem **cough*cough* 5metre?

excuse my secpticism - but really were they 5metre rollers or 5 foot rollers?

5 metres in a rib is a very big wave for anywhere outside of the pub...

I will vouch for Robs 5m waves, as went down to Lands end to see them that day, and posponerd my trip for 2 days.

eupa · 30 June 2005, 09:20

made a solo crossing of 35 miles in a force 6. I had 5m waves rolling under me for 4 hours

ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we are dealing with Batman !!!!!. rollers aint the same as
hitting a 5 meter wall of water head on.You should have tried jumping out ??
See if you had any balls ???

Jonathan

boatster · 30 June 2005, 10:01

When talking about wave heights the period of the waves makes all the difference no? I guess force 6 winds means really choppy and mega white caps. I have a hard time with the wind swells 4-6 sec period, not ground swells 10-18 sec periods. Or rather I have a hard time when the winds are up. I would assume for me that'd be force 4?

Of course the windier it gets it just means the slower I have to go really. But anything below 15 mph isn't really worth it.

pettal · 30 June 2005, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny

You mean like this ?

5 to 8 meter waves?

That looks like my last trip across the channel........6 hours of pure joy!

I normally guage the weather I can go out in by whether or not I can light a ciggy in the middle of it.......trouble is I've got that good that I can light a ciggy in anything!

danny · 30 June 2005, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettal

That looks like my last trip across the channel........6 hours of pure joy!

I normally guage the weather I can go out in by whether or not I can light a ciggy in the middle of it.......trouble is I've got that good that I can light a ciggy in anything!

I knew it was you there in the midlle

Beside the waves, do you have any idea what the wind on that picture can do with your boat?

Dan.

codprawn · 30 June 2005, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatster

When talking about wave heights the period of the waves makes all the difference no? I guess force 6 winds means really choppy and mega white caps. I have a hard time with the wind swells 4-6 sec period, not ground swells 10-18 sec periods. Or rather I have a hard time when the winds are up. I would assume for me that'd be force 4?

Of course the windier it gets it just means the slower I have to go really. But anything below 15 mph isn't really worth it.

You are right - the type of wave makes a huge difference. Breaking waves are so much harder to deal with than big gentle rollers - even if they are 20' high!!!

Of course a lot depends on the depth of the water under you - a 20' wave mid Atlantic is nothing - in a shallow bay a different story alotgether.

pettal · 30 June 2005, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny

I knew it was you there in the midlle

Beside the waves, do you have any idea what the wind on that picture can do with your boat?

Dan.

Probably put my ciggy out again........god damn it!

Rob Jones · 30 June 2005, 16:50

Getting a bit of flak e'h

I am repeating what the captian of the Scillion stated - I had now idea of the wave sizes, after all I have zero experience.

But they were big and they were rollers - as in all I did was allow them to roll under me.

Jklingel · 01 July 2005, 02:40

Thanks, all. That is about what I expected to hear. Yes, rollers (long period) can be nearly any height; it is the short-period, choppy, white-caps snot that is tricky, for sure. I will start slowly and see what happens. If I can be comfy in 5-6' chop, that will be great, as some of the places I will be traveling in the fall are "notoriously bad"; at least that is what the tin-can operators tell me. RHIBs are rare here, so I will be pionerring a bit. Thanks again. j

boatster · 01 July 2005, 10:55

Hi Jklingel,

Where are you located in the US? I'm in Los Angeles. Where do you plan to take your rib out to?

Jklingel · 02 July 2005, 05:25

I PM'd you. j