On Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:57:43 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:


I'd be relectant to run in 3-footers or more with any 21-foot boat.

A lot of where I run, in and around the Fisher's Island area, Watch
Hill Reef, North Rip at Block, Seal Rock off Newport, etc., it's not
uncommon to run into 2/3 foot waves on changing tides when the rest of
the ocean is flat calm. Heck, even in a dead calm, running the
Charleston Breachway on a particularly agressive tide can be a roller
coaster ride.

As you said, the difference is how you get rid of water coming into
the boat and that's one problem with my Ranger that I don't like. The
self-draining system leaves a lot to be desired. Thus, I learned how
to avoid major problems in how I handle the boat in these situations.
And being one of those fishing types that loves drifting in tidal rips
I had to quickly learn the whats and hows to avoid shipping water.

Sometimes I'll let the bow do the work, sometimes the freeboard and my
Ranger's ability to really "float" if you will. While there are
problems with the cockpit drainage, the inherent stability of the beam
vs length and the bay boat type of hull keep it relatively dry.

I don't mind 20 knot winds if I'm in the bay, but anywhere else, I'm
not all that comfortable.