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12:26 am
April 29, 2007
Offline
Hi All,
I have a 16.5 ft. deep V hull alumacraft. Are there any worries of cracking the hull when running full speed over wakes from other boats. I'm a new boat owner and sometimes slow down when hitting a wake. Is it ok to take it full speed. Maybe I'm just being over-protective of the boat, but when that boats slamming the water, I get a little worried.
Thanks,
Tim
Team MTF
12:45 am
You should not have any problems. I use to run mine on lake erie wide open and have not any problems.
2:05 am
March 19, 2004
Offline
Tim,
It depends on where you're meeting the other boats wake and how big it is. I know your new to boating but it really comes down to a judgement call and who you have onboard. Your boat isn't designed to slam into the water especially meeting a wake at WOT. I've seen stress cracks on hulls and have witnessed a boat go down (sink) after running too hard. Always be in control and error on the side of caution!
Chad T
2:18 am
April 29, 2007
Offline
Good point Chad,
Is it better to slow down and stear parallel to the wake or go perpendicular straight over it? I guess I need a boater safety course.
Team MTF
2:57 pm
March 22, 2004
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Tim,
I agree with Chad on erroring on the side of caution. That being said, I too have a 16.5 foot Alumicraft and have, with my 25 horsepower Merc, hit wakes head on at full throttle. The boat I have has a double hull and has had no problem handling the impact. Although the max speed with such a small engine is only about 21 mph it does smack those wakes and comes down hard and, again, has no problem handling it. Fear is a good thing out on the water but don't let it stop you from getting where you want to go.
DL
DL
4:51 am
March 26, 2004
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Tim,
I have a similar boat, and the best advice is to do what's comfortable for you. You'll get used to the way it handles over time; until then, take it easy. I usually slow down for large wakes, mainly because I don't want to take a beating and don't want to get wet. Generally you want to cross them at about a 90 degree angle; running parallel means that you'll roll with them while on plane - not really a comfortable feeling.
Boats are tougher than most of us think, but I don't care to find the limits. The coast guard tests them by filling them with weight to capacity and dropping them from 20'. You probably won't break the boat immediately by hitting waves or wakes hard, but over the years welds crack and rivets loosen. No reason to make that happen faster.
A boating safety class is a good idea for a bunch of reasons but it won't make you any more comfortable with your boat; only time on the water does that. It will probably be required in the near future everywhere anyways.
Chris
10:36 pm
April 29, 2007
Offline
Thanks for the replies,
I'm gaining confidence in handling the boat, playing on the side of caution while also running the 40 H.P. Mercury wide open as much as I can. 😉
I bought it from a guy who fished Lake George a lot and has taken in 6 ft. rollers a lot. Judging by the gread condition by the boat, it hasn't been beat on too bad. I'm sure banging rocks and stumps is worse for a boat than smacking wakes at 20 MPH, but that does seem to put a lot of stress on the boat. The goal is to try not to beat on the boat as bad as I beat on my other musky gear!!
As far as navigaing the big wakes, I've learned to just STAY OUT OF THEM.
I've been mainly fishing the St. Lawrence lately, and many of you know how crazy that river can get. I was cruzing the middle one night to get to a good spot, against strong wind and current, and found myself in hugh rollers as far as I could see in front of me, and slowed down and went over them one at a time, it was pretty scary. That was a learning experience I'll never forget....avoid dangerous situations on big waters. While I knew that part of the river fairly well, I didn't know how it could be that rough. It's always good to stay alert and know how to get out a bad situation.
Later,
Tim
Team MTF
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