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 The hull can sure take a beating		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/26/2008 :  22:04:44  Show Profile
This October I motored my C25 to its winter dry dock directly into 20-25 knot winds and 7-9 ft waves on Lake Michigan. I gained new respect for the boat. I live in Chicago and sail on Lake Michigan. The weather was unbelievably bad but I never felt in danger. The hull was sliding down waves and crashing into others but I always felt totally in control. It was an exhilartating ride. My only real concern was if I lost the motor, a 9.9hp Yamaha. My two passengers were non sailors, were sea sick, cold and wet and wouldnt have been much help with the sails. Once we rode the 6 miles from my harbor and got through the locks in to the Chicago river the trip calmed down quite a bit. By the way with full throttle on my 9.9 I estimated I was making roughly 3 knots into the wind. Not bad considering the conditions.
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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts
Response Posted - 11/27/2008 :  06:30:18  Show Profile
Hey Jeff,
What keel do you have?
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 11/27/2008 :  10:27:21  Show Profile
Pretty gutsy! I've seen L. Mich. that way many times--from the shore! That's enough excitement for me! I've also been told that a 30-36 footer is precisely the wrong size for L. Michigan when it's whipped up like that--the boat neither rides over the waves like a smaller hull, nor cuts through them like a 40+ footer... it pounds and buries the bow.

Are you going to be able to ever get those guests back out on your boat??
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Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts
Response Posted - 11/27/2008 :  13:18:49  Show Profile
Happy D., I have an 1985 standard rig with a fixed keel.

Dave, thats an interesting comment about the 30-36 footers. I was pounding and burying the bow as well so I dont know if there is any majic formula on boat length. At some points my passengers who were sitting forward of me were becoming airborne. They ended up going to the cabin lying on the floor wrapped in anything soft they could find. Since they both sailed with me in calmer weather one of the two said she would try again next summer but I wont hold my breath. Iw was unfortunate that the weather forecast was entirely wrong for that day and I was committed to go because the bridge openings in downtown Chicago are reserved way in advance. Of course I wouldnt have put myself or my passengers in danger and from previous experience knew the boat could handle the weather just fine.
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 11/27/2008 :  15:11:11  Show Profile
"I've also been told that a 30-36 footer is precisely the wrong size for L. Michigan when it's whipped up like that"

In the North Pacific 32 to 36 were preferred lengths in the old 'Italian/Portugese' fishing boats... supposedly 'fit' the swells. (at least that's what I was told when I was a kid). Probably makes sense.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 11/27/2008 :  20:39:13  Show Profile
Wave period/length varies by wave speed, that is what governs the hull speed calculation, so a particular length can be a "best fit" for a selected condition. You can have a fit for a prevailing condition or a typical bad condition, but not both, and not for a variety of conditions. Old fishing boats were often sized by tradition, storage, and cost, and large numbers of a similar size leads to the perception that it is an optimal length. Length is a factor (bigger is nearly always better), but hull design probably has more impact on sea-kindliness
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Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts
Response Posted - 11/27/2008 :  23:12:36  Show Profile
This is all very interesting and good to be aware of. I always thought that if I was to get a larger boat it would be in the 35 foot range. In any case thats all a dream because I love my C25 and it serves me well.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.