I know the wider boat makes the platform for fishing more stable, but does it help that much in rough water. If not what is the best feature to look for in a tin boat to provide the safest ride in 20 mph wind.
I know the wider boat makes the platform for fishing more stable, but does it help that much in rough water. If not what is the best feature to look for in a tin boat to provide the safest ride in 20 mph wind.
High sides and a deep V, like some of the star craft. Not necessarily the best combination to fish from, but if the ride is more important, then that's what you want.
In my opinion narrower beams cut through waves better than wider beams with all other things he being equal.
Size matters.
That's what she said!Originally Posted by slonezp
It depends on the boat. I was on a wide boat with a friend but it had low sides. The wind and whitecaps made for some nasty boating. So wider is not always better.
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Long skinny deep V will be your best ride in rough water. Look to offshore race boats for guidance. Two very skinny hulls are even better apparently ;}
A wide hull just catches more of the wave for you to plow through.
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I guess we should ask you to define rough. Great Lakes rough? Kentucky Lake rough? Boat and barge traffic rough? Small lake rough? I think length, weight distribution, and driving experience. Secondly, running balls out from spot to spot is not always the safest driest ride. A v hull or hull with a pronounced keel will cut thru waves better than a mod v or a flat bottom. A mod v with a pad hull will navigate rough water better than a mod v without a pad depending on the driver, and the longer the boat the better.
What's nice about the off shore fishing boats is the way they transition from a sharp v to a wide beam. Unfortunately there isn't an aluminum boat on the market that can come close,
I agree with slonezp. my PT18 has a 96" beam and doesn't handle rough water any better than any other tin bass boat.
It's really about the total hull design. A wider boat gives more surface area for water to slap against not helping for a smooth ride. So the hull and pad of the boat need to be designed not to have large flat impact areas. Wether it be a glass boat or Tin boat it's the same principle.
Some great answers, I was considering trading my boat in for a wider same length boat, but I don't think I would gain that much. I will spend my money on upgrading electronics and taking more fishing trips.
There's more to it than just width. Obviously a wider hull will not cut through the waves as well, all other things being equal.
Wider, but with a deep-V, will give the best ride if needing a wider boat.
V
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