Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

Dionysus Feldman wrote:
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

The wave period is more important I think.. I've faces 6-8ft swells
kayaking in the pacific (and waves when landing)..


--
DoD# 2223, OFCC #3122
Meum scapha volitare plenum anguillae

"Dionysus Feldman" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

Try to hit the waves at a 45 degree angle. Also, slow down - only go as
fast as is comfortable for you and your passengers. You may have to go off
course (ie - not a straight line) to get to your destination. I don't know
the distance you'll be traveling, but be sure you've got more than enough
fuel.

Sandy K.

As the next guy said, it's the period of the waves. I don't know about Lake
Michigan, but if it's anything like Lake Ontario, the waves can be stranger
than on the ocean. I was out a couple of nights ago (14 ft Lund) in 2 ft
wave, which are usually meaningless. But on this particular night, something
about the rhythm of the waves was downright spooky. Ended up anchored behind
a jetty, fishing for bluegills, rather than trolling for bigger fish. :-(

"Dionysus Feldman" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

How far would the cruise be for you, about 50 miles? If you're backed off
from plane because of the wave conditions that could take you 6 hours
easily. A nice length for a cruise in nice weather but it might not be a ton
of fun in bigger waves.

Your boat is 26 years old, you might want to rack up more hours close to the
marina first while you figure out what needs work.

Plus, you're new to that boat. Do you feel familiar enough with the systems
to handle problems? If your engine starts acting up will you be able to
diagnose and troubleshoot it? I think in a previous post when someone
mentioned for you to check the leg for looseness you weren't sure what a leg
was.

I assume you've decided on a GPS model and purchased it and have become
familiar with its operation? It was just 4 days ago that you posted a
question asking for input on GPS models.

Since you asked, I would consider it too risky a venture considering the
above. I wouldn't do it yet and I've had my boat about as long as you, it's
newer, heavier and has two engines.

Before setting a course out of sight of land in questionable seas I would
vote for being familiar, competent and capable with all of the systems. I
would also vote for having put enough hours on it to get to know its quirks.
I don't meet those criteria yet.

Take your time this season, have fun, stay close to the marina, figure
things out. There's plenty of time next season for longer cruises.


"Dionysus Feldman" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

No problem. Planing? probably not, unless you enjoy seeing
your crew backflip over the transom. I go out in worse in my
25' MaXum all the time in the fall. Best to run at
displacement speed, no tabs, and watch out for broaching in
a following sea. If you're not in a hurry, it can be loads
of fun. Leave the lubbers on the dock.
JR

Dionysus Feldman wrote:

Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

The jitters is just common sense when it looses the argument.
"Dionysus Feldman" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

I agree here with Paul, if your totally new to boating, this 30 year old
boat is new to you and possibly the guy before you didn't maintain properly
(for rough water long jogs). Give yourself more time to be familiar with
everything then make the decision yourself. If you have to ask, then your
uncertain. When you have two or three others on board who you are
responsible for their lives, the 3 footers could turn to 6 footers in no
time and the water is cold. Been there, done that and headed back to land.
Dont risk it, it just never is fun out there when it is rough no matter what
size the boat.








"Paul" wrote in message
e.rogers.com...
How far would the cruise be for you, about 50 miles? If you're backed off
from plane because of the wave conditions that could take you 6 hours
easily. A nice length for a cruise in nice weather but it might not be a
ton
of fun in bigger waves.

Your boat is 26 years old, you might want to rack up more hours close to
the
marina first while you figure out what needs work.

Plus, you're new to that boat. Do you feel familiar enough with the
systems
to handle problems? If your engine starts acting up will you be able to
diagnose and troubleshoot it? I think in a previous post when someone
mentioned for you to check the leg for looseness you weren't sure what a
leg
was.

I assume you've decided on a GPS model and purchased it and have become
familiar with its operation? It was just 4 days ago that you posted a
question asking for input on GPS models.

Since you asked, I would consider it too risky a venture considering the
above. I wouldn't do it yet and I've had my boat about as long as you,
it's
newer, heavier and has two engines.

Before setting a course out of sight of land in questionable seas I would
vote for being familiar, competent and capable with all of the systems. I
would also vote for having put enough hours on it to get to know its
quirks.
I don't meet those criteria yet.

Take your time this season, have fun, stay close to the marina, figure
things out. There's plenty of time next season for longer cruises.


"Dionysus Feldman" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

You might want to pick up a copy of Chapman's Seamanship & Small Boat
Handling. Good info on nasty water, along with a TON of other boating info.
You'll be reading it all winter.

Tip: Take a look at www.powells.com for a used copy. The rough weather info
will be the same or close enough, but you'll get a really funny bonus: A
section on proper yacht club wardrobe. It's a gas. :-) I see they have a
used copy of the 1966 edition...that should have the wardrobe info.


"Dionysus Feldman" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any advice for facing 3+ foot waves in a 24-foot (Sea
Ray 240 SRV -- planing -- ~5000 lb displacement) boat?

How do I know the difference between the jitters and being stupid?

(We want to go across Lake Michigan to Chicago this weekend, and the
weather might be rough.)

not familiar with that type of boat, but if it a planing hull you want
to keep the bow level all the time..... i.e. ease off the throttle
goin into a wave, throttle on before the bow starts to drop as you
come over the wave. when running before the seas best idea is to get
on top of a wave and adjust your power to stay on it. always keep some
power in reserve.