PocketAces
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2019
- Messages
- 45
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- Pocket Aces
- Vessel Make
- Mainship 34T '08
Hi, This is my first post as a TF member. For background, I have a Mainship '08 34T. I cruise in PNW and dislike having to cross or go NS in Georgia Strait! 3'+ chop with short wave length is all too common.
The 08 Mainship34T has a very large fly bridge which makes it perhaps more top heavy than many other trawlers and hence not great in rougher seas. It is also known to have a small rudder.
If you end up in a following or quartering sea, which speed gives you a safer and more comfortable ride? From some reading, there are two potential capsize mechanisms. First is broaching if the following wave spins you around and then rolls you over and second is "bow diving" where you could surf down one wave and bow dive into the one ahead which then also spins you around as the bow slows rapidly and the stern keeps surfing.
If you go slower (5-8 knots), the rudder is less effective so maintaining control is harder and getting spun around is easier. Plus it will take longer to get to your destination and hence more chances for something going wrong.
If you go faster (8-12 knots) then you can end up going faster than the wave speed leading to surfing and possible bow dive. But you get to your destination faster and the rudder is more effecive.
So what are the opinions and experience of TF folks in this regard? Has anyone actually capsized in rough waters? Of course, the best strategy is to avoid quartering and following seas...
Many folks say that Mainships (and I sure other boats as well) can take much more than you think, but I am in late 60's and my risk tolerance goes down every year!
The 08 Mainship34T has a very large fly bridge which makes it perhaps more top heavy than many other trawlers and hence not great in rougher seas. It is also known to have a small rudder.
If you end up in a following or quartering sea, which speed gives you a safer and more comfortable ride? From some reading, there are two potential capsize mechanisms. First is broaching if the following wave spins you around and then rolls you over and second is "bow diving" where you could surf down one wave and bow dive into the one ahead which then also spins you around as the bow slows rapidly and the stern keeps surfing.
If you go slower (5-8 knots), the rudder is less effective so maintaining control is harder and getting spun around is easier. Plus it will take longer to get to your destination and hence more chances for something going wrong.
If you go faster (8-12 knots) then you can end up going faster than the wave speed leading to surfing and possible bow dive. But you get to your destination faster and the rudder is more effecive.
So what are the opinions and experience of TF folks in this regard? Has anyone actually capsized in rough waters? Of course, the best strategy is to avoid quartering and following seas...
Many folks say that Mainships (and I sure other boats as well) can take much more than you think, but I am in late 60's and my risk tolerance goes down every year!