Wind/2-3 ft rollers

[Deuceu72]

Hello All! Quick question. What is the best way to deal with 2-3 ft rollers due to high wind? Sideways against the waves? Straight into the wind? Need a little advice on how to deal with this kind of situation.

[Team_Dougherty]

I think the best way is 3/4 into the waves. You do not want the waves hitting you directly on the side. The waves may come over the side if you are already low on that side from a previous wave.  The same thing is true if you hit them head on. If your bow is down from a previous wave the next one might break over the bow.  In either case and you could swamp your boat.  So the best is to have the waves hit you, or you go into, the waves at a 45 degree angle.

Paul

[Siebert Outdoors]

Dont go sideways(parellel) with the waves.  When you come down one wave the next one can break and fill the boat or possibly flip you.  2-3 footers I doubt would but if you get to the 4-6 range it might.  I will slightly angle or go head on.  Alot depends on how far apart the waves are.  It takes practice when to accelerate or slow down.  To fast or to slow the bow wont lift and you will spear the wave. Its all in throttle and trim control.   Although a 2-3 ft wave you really dont have to worry about spearing to bad.  4-6 fter if the bow doesnt get up your eatin water.  

[flechero]

I like head on at that size with a little speed (and less trim will level the boat more for a reduced pounding impact). Speed and trim will greatly affect the best angle... if you get up on plane and go over them it's best... but depending on the size of the boat and spacing of the waves, it's not always possible.

Had a few days where they were to big to go over like that... sometimes I'll go 90 degrees and ride in between 2 of them. It's hairy the first time but I got used to it and have used that trick a few times to get home.

And then there are times you can't or don't have a choice because of where you are when the winds kick up... in that case hang on and do what you can.

Every boat is different and every boat operator has a different comfort level. I've spent more than a few days at home when the winds were high. (the older I get the more days like that I skip) There is something about peeing blood at night that takes the fun out of fishing on days like that. ;D

[Glenn]

Aluminum or fiberglass?  What size boat/engine?

[Deuceu72]

the boat is an 18 ft  1997 champion with a 150 mercury marnier.

[cart7t]

A Champion?  You'll have no problem handling 2-3 footers with that boat. Probably the best rough water boat running.  Just quarter the waves and throttle through. Keep your finger on the trim.  Best thing to do is practice.

I'd suggest a summer weekend on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. After one summer weekend running that lake you'll be prepared to handle just about anything.  ;D

[Siebert Outdoors]

Best thing to do is practice.

I'd suggest a summer weekend on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. After one summer weekend running that lake you'll be prepared to handle just about anything. ;D

LOL so true lots of this .  Thats where I learned, bad thing is when the scarabs run up and down and left and right the waves go every which way and its like driving my little 17.5" boat through a hurricane.

[cart7t]

 Best thing to do is practice.

I'd suggest a summer weekend on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. After one summer weekend running that lake you'll be prepared to handle just about anything.  ;D

LOL so true lots of this .  Thats where I learned, bad thing is when the scarabs run up and down and left and right the waves go every which way and its like driving my little 17.5" boat through a hurricane.

Exactly.  After a weekend driving that lake you'll think cutting through 2-3 foot rollers, all spaced out nice n parallel with one another is a breeze.  ;D

[Siebert Outdoors]

Yep, its not wavy until your running to the back of the boat when your fishing to get the weight off the bow so the monster waves dont come over the top, and your trolling motor is only in the water about 1/2 the time.