Such a sweet ride

[jerzia]

I was out on Cayuga Lake (NY) today, and the wind grew steady throughout the day. The lake runs N/S and we had our first north wind here in several days. I drifted and fished most of the day with 2 socks out, and even then it was a chore. As the whitecaps grew, it got to the point where the only boats that were anywhere in sight were very large, deep draft cruisers. Before making the ten mile trip back to the launch, I told my wife that I was glad we had the 203. As Pat often suggests, I kept the nose down and let the hull do the work. I was able to do an honest 42-45gps in 3 footers all the while passing those big rigs making their way against the water. We got back dry, with nary a bump along the way. My wife being no fan of rough water even remarked how smooth the ride was. I love this rig more every time out.
And just to add a little extra to make my day, as I was going trough the toll both getting on the NYS Thruway, a guy exiting pulling a Toon did a triple take watching the sun bounce off the flake when I pulled out of the shadows.

[BILLY]

[bassfinder1]

Nothing rides like a champ

[bassin butch]

[quote=jerzia] As Pat often suggests, I kept the nose down and let the hull do the work.

That's the key! I've been doing that for years.

[Lpolk]

After you lower the nose, that's when that hull takes over in choppy waters. I have yet to ride in or see another boat with those qualities, all in one designed to keep you dry and with a smooth ride on top of it. You would have to own one to appreciate the difference.

[Royjulius]

I finally learned how to drive mine, I can't wait for some whitecaps!

[Gunnar]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Lpolk &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">After you lower the nose, that's when that hull takes over in choppy waters. I have yet to ride in or see another boat with those qualities, all in one designed to keep you dry and with a smooth ride on top of it. You would have to own one to appreciate the difference. </td></tr></table>

Yep no doubt - but ain't it fun to run all out with the nose up and turn on a dime every which way but loose too...

[bassin butch]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Gunnar &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Yep no doubt - but ain't it fun to run all out with the nose up and turn on a dime every which way but loose too... </td></tr></table>

Isn't it nice to have a boat brand that the hull designers had the forethought to include both boat features ?

[Rough Stuff Rider]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Royjulius &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I finally learned how to drive mine, I can't wait for some whitecaps!</td></tr></table>


Bring it to the Potomac River and you'll have more white caps then you know what to do with.You guys who never fished tidal rivers on the East coast gotta get your champs out this way for a true test. Once the wind starts blowing against the moving tide then you better hold on tight, good times in a Champ for sure.

[slinkeey]

I am still learning how to handle mine in the rough stuff.

I have found that at times I have better luck keeping the bow up for a drier ride. (less splash)

Dropping the bow made for a smoother ride, but with splashing.. I guess that is why the 190SX has the big windshield...

I need to experiment more.

[Hillsreels]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Rough Stuff Rider &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">


Bring it to the Potomac River and you'll have more white caps then you know what to do with.You guys who never fished tidal rivers on the East coast gotta get your champs out this way for a true test. Once the wind starts blowing against the moving tide then you better hold on tight, good times in a Champ for sure. </td></tr></table>
Love my 203 ride much better than the destroyer ride in those 76 foot waves in the typhoon back in 64

[champ203rude]

great post!

question...because i want to learn from you.... when you say 'keep the nose down and let the hull do the work'..... isn't that the best way to stuff waves ? I don't understand... not being a (edit).. just asking if u could explain the technique a bit more... thank you

[slinkeey]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by champ203rude &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">isn't that the best way to stuff waves ?</td></tr></table>

I wanted to ask the same question.

[bassin butch]

It has everything to do with trim angle, throttle input, tacking the wave, and weight distribution in the boat.

Nothing a internet read will do for you: It's all about seat time.

No slap, not wet, and very smooth and safe!

VWing game over!

[champ203rude]

whatever the heck that means butch... i don't know... but keeping the bow down stuffs waves....

[jerzia]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by champ203rude &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">whatever the heck that means butch... i don't know... but keeping the bow down stuffs waves.... </td></tr></table>
I agree with Butch, seat time. When I referred to "keeping the bow down, I wasn't saying to use no trim. What I implying was, not keeping the nose high, or up on the pad. I used just enough trim to keep the bow down, and the hull directed the spay away from the cockpit. Don't want to stuff a wave, keep the speed reasonable for the conditions, and don't take them 90 degrees head on. It works for me.

[pmgoffjr]

Your butt will tell you what trim angle to use....

[jerzia]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by pmgoffjr &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Your butt will tell you what trim angle to use....

</td></tr></table>
Perfect description!

[Lpolk]

Maybe nose down is kind of a misunderstood statement. Just trying to explain trim angle. Riding solely on the pad through rough stuff is not allowing the hull to do it's best work , that is a dry and a smooth ride. As said before, seat time will make you a PRO

[champ1264]

slinkeey sounds like you're going too slow. Nose it down a bit and throttle up a bit and after that it's all a matter of what angle to hit the waves. Like Pat says, your butt will tell you...