Spearing big waves

[scottcr]

I was woundering what most of you do in big water waves? I have got a worked prop. I also run the jackplate down and little to no trim. I love the ride of my boat but need help on big water 4 and 5 footers. Don't get me wrong no boat is good in those conditions but I even spear them gust trying to idle around. I do have experance on big water and big waves but can't get the hang of the G-boat at all. I have a 2007 Int.2000 with a 225 pro XS on lake Erie I use a worked 25 trophy plus . Any sugestions or comments might help.

[gamblerfreak]

I have heard of people going to 5 blade props to get the nose up really fast in situations like this when running. Not much you can do but counter the waves when you are idling though. Maybe someone of the northers will have more insight.

[mikie]

I've got a Mercury book on how to operate high performance watercraft, I'm sure it has a section on that. Lemme look it up, then call me some evening next week (after the fair is over) 592-5565 and I think I can help you.

My best advice on 5 footers is to stay home, but I know that lake can work up a chop as quick as you can talk about it. Be good to talk to you again, m

[scottcr]

Hi, Mike thanks alot I took another boat up this weekend from the dealership and I know its not all me. I was out fishing the B.A.S.S weekend series and it got really bad. Some boats were tour up and I had no problems in the boat I was in. If I had mine up there I would have had to stay in the bay for sure. I don't wan't this to turn sour or a G-boat slam, but alot of guys say these are one of the best rough water boats and I have yet to see it. I thought others would join in and maybe give me some advice but so far knowone has said anything on how they prepair there Gamblers for such conditions or gave me any pointers.

[Delw]

My fishing partner has a gambler 2100, We fish out of it alot for both tournys and prefishing.
I can honestly say the gambler is the best rough weather riding boat on the water, besides the champs and the 210 Cajun.
I have a 210 cajun its almost 22 feet long, I felt safe in it thats why I still have it, I sunk it at Mojave lake in 2003-2004 the waver were 6-8 feet easy. was my screw up not the boat.
Anyway I am scared of rough water(cause I can't swim) , However I love to fish it and fish it everytime I get. I am just overly cautous. When My fishing partner bought his gambler the first tourny we fished in it was NASTY 3-4 footers hail, rain and heavy winds(my boat wouldnt have been a problem) He didnt own the boat for more than 3 weeks if I remember correctly so he was still getting used to driving it. after the first 20 mins I didnt get white knuckles I just kicked back I was pretty impressed. over the years I got to like it even more and have learned its the driver Not the boat on a gambler or any boat for that matter.

I have noticed in the last year though that the boat is a little rougher than normal. In all honesty I think he got to comfortable with the settings and trim tab settings and doesnt adjust like he used to. I think its more of the driver getting comfortable than the boat it self, its not just this boat its other guys I have been out with, once they get comfortable with certain settings they get nervous adjusting in rough water ( one reason I sunk mine).

those trim tabs on the Gambler make a HUGE difference in how the boat handles and it doesnt take much movement to make it handle differently.
I've gone out in 3 gamblers 1 without trim tabs and each boat handled differently quite a bit.

[carolina killer]

I have never been in 4 to 5 footers so I can't help you out on that one.. But I have run a good bit in 2 footers and once or twice in 3 footers with my Gambler and I didn't have any problems.. But I know there is a big difference in 2 to 3 footers verses 4 to 5 footers... I would probably stay at home if I had to face waves that big...

[scottcr]

I wan't to thank all af you for youre help. But I already know it is 90% boat owner not the boat. As far as the trim tabs go if you run the tabs down even a little in those conditions you will spear waves because they are made to put the nose down during take off for the most part. If you have them down and have to jump on gas to get the nose up it won't come up. I think I will have to try a five blade prop and see what happens. I don't wan't anyone to think I am putting down Gamblers because like most of you I also think the ride is great. My problem is at low speed and rough conditions I have not got the driving down therefore I posted this for advice. I thought because of the way the G-boats set in the water (you know nose up) that this boat would not spear waves as much as it does! If others are not haveing this happen then tell me what you are doing so I can try it the next time out. You know like more trim 5 blade prop ware the gackplate is set ect.

[22bassmaster]

Try emailing Paul Hirosky http://www.paulhirosky.net/. He is on the BASS tour and runs a Gambler and fishes Erie often. As an Intimdator owner as well I must say my G boat does super in the rough stuff. I have never been in rough water like Erie so I cant really help much. I do use my tabs when the water gets rough and they make it ride very well in rough water. JMHO

[ldbass55]

the tabs will help in the rough stuff..i run mine down just enough so i can keep control of the bow...still able to throttle up if you need too... i cant say i have ever seen the kind of stuff you guys got at erie.but i have been in some pretty big stuff on santee, and never speared one...the tabs work wonders, but you got to find the sweet spot for the conditions....
LD

[22bassmaster]

I totally agree.I bump mine down just to settle it down,its a combo of the right jackplate height and trim as well. Its a fine spot but once u find it its second nature. Like I said Erie I am sure is unlike anything I've encountered so thats all I can offer. If I fished it regularly I would invest in a deep V or something like that. After hearing how bad the BASS guys tore up there boats there it can be surrmized as not a good place for any type of bass boat on a regular basis.

[ldbass55]

"After hearing how bad the BASS guys tore up there boats there it can be surrmized as not a good place for any type of bass boat on a regular basis."

aint that the truth...great fishery....but that place is just plain dangerous...just ask steve kennedy, and his partner...
LD

[Mac]

I've had the "pleasure" of running in 5+ footers twice. The first time was shortly after learning about trimming all the way down and feathering the throttle. We were able to stay dry and stay at a speed of 25-30 (guessing since it was pre GPS). My second time was just last year at the same lake (Winnipeasaukee). The rolls were about 4-5 foot. The trip was a disaster. I was alone this time and the boat wasn't nearly as balances as I'd hoped. I filled the livewell but it didn't help. I spreared twice before getting to the calmer waters. The nice thing was the boat didn't take on hardly any water. It appeared to flow right over me. The boat that was behind me couldn't say the same thing. He was waist deep in water and getting swamped by the waves. He had to fight for several minutes before he was able to move into the calm section of a nearby cove.
During the first trip I had balance and trim all the way down and rode the top of the rolls. For a first time experience it was quite the trip. We had to travel 3.5 miles and it was a rush.
The second trip I was starboard side heavy and the boat wouldn't travel flat. I'd roll too easy and throw off the heading. Both times I was heading directly into the rolls.

[IBFISHIN]

I've been given the opportunity of running in 4-5 footers even 6-7 footers a few times. I'm not about to tell you that I've never speared a wave, I would be lieing. I can't either say that anyone else running around me fairs much better in those conditions. What seems to work for me is to run the jack plate all the way down, trim between 1/4 and 1/2 trim, and trim tabs down just enough so the bow does not go flying cresting a wave. I also pitch down on my prop for more low end grunt when you need it. Realize that in these kind of waves you won't be looking for top end just survival. One more thing, when the waves get big enough that you start spearing due to the distance between the crest of the waves I try to quarter the waves and tack back and forth until I get where I want to be.

[mikie]

I found the publication I was thinking of - it's not the Merc brochure but "Boating Skills and Seamanship" 9th edition published by the US Coast Guard. Good section on running into heavy seas.
I'll take it to the house and lend it to you whenever you want to pick it up.

I will jump in on the rough water debate just long enough to say that G boats are some of the better made bass boats. However, for running big water in tough conditions, I don't think any style of bass boat can handle it as well as deep V walleye style boats. The high sides and deep bottoms are just better designed for that type of water.

That said, if I had to be in big waves, I'd rather be in a Gambler. m