fuel efficient cruising

[Larryrsf]

Thanks! Saturday was busy out there, every kind of boat including the heavy Harbor Cruise vessels. Lots of sailboats, even skidoos and a few runabouts really flying. So crossing those wakes was scary for my newbie-to-boating wife. I was praising the Wellcraft deep bow for efficiently slicing through most of that stuff. But we did get slammed by big waves a few times-- and since she wasn't standing with knees flexed like I was, she got slammed too, ha. I bought cushions for our "Bluewater" boat seats today. Hope that helps, but standing up is really the best answer to rough water.

Larry

[smokeonthewater]

trim for the highest speed at a given throttle and then trim down if you need to to stop porpoising

[Blue_Runner]

Bean bags!!! Cannot stress it enough. You can get one called the "Big Joe" at Walmart for about $30. Money well spent. You won't be sorry. The lady will hug your neck, I promise! My crew catches quite a few snoozes while I'm at the helm banging the fillings out of my mouth.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Larryrsf

Thanks! Saturday was busy out there, every kind of boat including the heavy Harbor Cruise vessels. Lots of sailboats, even skidoos and a few runabouts really flying. So crossing those wakes was scary for my newbie-to-boating wife. I was praising the Wellcraft deep bow for efficiently slicing through most of that stuff. But we did get slammed by big waves a few times-- and since she wasn't standing with knees flexed like I was, she got slammed too, ha. I bought cushions for our "Bluewater" boat seats today. Hope that helps, but standing up is really the best answer to rough water.

Larry

Just remember that you have a steering wheel to hang onto... she doesn't. If you're standing up in the boat MAKE SURE you both have on life preservers.... Accidents happen, and if you're standing, they can happen faster. Getting tossed overboard by a wave you didn't see coming and weren't ready for is NOT high on the fun things to have happen while boating.
I'm 70, a good swimmer, a certified Red Cross Lifesaving Instructor and I always wear my pfd while underway. NEVER be embarrassed to wear one. Get the canoe/kayak kind that you wear like a vest and has a zipper and wide arm holes and in minutes you'll forget you even have it on.