My first time out on my own

[StevensMan]

I was camping this weekend, had some time on Sunday evening and could not resist taking out my 2355. My wife, daughter and I went to Everett boat launch.
It was quite windy with maybe 2-3 ft waives out in the sound. I found that it is much more difficult to keep boat moving straight at slow speed with wind at it's side. So we got out to open water, I opened the throttle, boat jumped on the plain and ride was quite scary (especially for my 3.5 years daughter and wife). So we did not ride for a long time - it was too bumpy and I did not want to push it so we went back. I adjusted front post on the trailer so boat seats a little bit more backward now and winch cable and chain are parallel to the ground. I tried new 16x16 prop - it looks like much better choice compare to 15 1/4X15 - I did not have a chance to take it WOT but boat was getting on the plain nice and easily reached ~4000 at 3/4 of throttle.
Boat now has new GLM risers - I did not notice any temperature difference, all is the same as old setup, 170-175F. There were no oil leak any more - last time I had quite big leak and still did not find the source.
It took me about 3 attempts to dock - there were almost no one there so I took my time to practice.
I loved every moment of the ride, especially when spray was flying over my head. Wife and daughter had slightly different idea about fun ride :D
So my question goes here: is it possible (or how difficult it is) to capsize Bayliner 2355? Is it possible to do it off big wave or something like this?

Thanks,
Anton

[Seapuppy]

anything is possible I'm sure....but the 2344/245's will take alot more water than you can.....we buried the bow a few times and came up ok...in rough water ...be sure to use your lanyard so if you get knocked away...the engine will stop and it will give you a chance to get regrouped....

[SomeSailor]

Like many will tell ya... the crew will quit long before the boat will.

Your boat is very bottom heavy and I don't think you'd be able to. Like when we had it on the lake here, you can turn it lock to lock at full throttle and the boat will turn on it's own wake in a very small distance.

I'd be more concerned about thrashing my crew around in heavy weather than hurting the boat. Especially down below, it can get pretty bouncy. :)

Glad to here the boat is running well. Sounds like the temp is perfect and RPMs are back where they should be. Is the oil staying nice and dry now?

You gonna come up and visit at Friday Harbor?

[coolchange]

as the puppy says anything is possible....but sober, paying attention and using good judgement can go a long way.

If you want your family to enjoy boating and spend time with you do not try to teach them the "fun" of rough water" otherwise you will be doing more single handed than you want.

I go often on my own and like you said taking your time, practice, using the current and wind as an ally makes for a lot of fun....further once you get this docking with help is a pc. of cake. Oh, one more thing don't be shy about asking for a hand from the dock...but never trust the hand to do the right thing, and be aware that you may be putting them in harms way. (ie pull them in, hit them...etc.

If you havent read it I suggest a look at Chapman on rough seas...and the coast guard has a brochure on crossing the bar that is informative.

[Dave C]

If you want your family to enjoy boating and spend time with you do not try to teach them the "fun" of rough water" otherwise you will be doing more single handed than you want.

This is very good advice. It should be on a plaque at the helm of every boat. IF your family isn't having fun, Your not going to be having fun very long. :cry:

It is more important than most warnings around the helm :roll:

If you haven't taken a "Boating Course" (Power Squadron or USCG Aux.) please do so. It could save your life.

[Stompor]

Yes you can sink your boat.

I am assuming here, but
1. This is your first boat.
2. You have never taken a safe boating class.

Just a couple of suggestions to make boating fun and safe for you and your crew.

1. Take a safe boating class. USPS or Coast Guard Aux.
2. When running in rough water approach the waves at a 45° angle.
3. When in rough water everyone should be wearing a pdf.
4. Whenever your 3 1/2 year old is on the boat or dock she needs a life jacket on. (only exception is if she is below in the cabin, with an adult and your boat is docked or anchored.

[SomeSailor]

You are assuming Scott. I did the same thing. Anton is an avid blow boater and has been up through the San Juans on sail boats, this is just his first power boat.

I don't think you'll ever capsize a 2355 due to wave action in the Sound, but there is a lot you can do to improve the ride and safety for everyone aboard.

[Stompor]

Ok.
That makes me feel better that he has boating experience.
:D

[3788sam]

All in all a successful trip, glad you had fun.
I would suggest though to really find that oil leak, they typically don't just disappear! In your first post you stated it sprayed thought the engine compartment- sounded like more than a bad gasket!

[Kuredu]

What everyone else has said - the boat is pretty tough and your crew will define the limits.

Oddly enough, my family likes the water a little rougher. Everyone gets very bored when it's too smooth. Our very first trip over the Strait in our 2850 we hit some really bad water and I thought we were going to die (seriously). My daughter - then 6 - was lying on her back on the V-birth bed and each time we dropped from a big wave she would get airborne and get stuck to the roof on all fours (like she was crawling upside down). Then when we hit the bottom she would fall back on the bed. She absolutely squeeled with delight. I asked my wife to comfort her and was told she's not crying - she's laughing! It made that trip a little more bearable.

My doughter still remembers that trip and for quite a while after that often asked when we're going to have fun on the boat again :roll:

Enjoy your boat. With your experience I know I dont have to say "don't take chances".

[SomeSailor]

Ok.
That makes me feel better that he has boating experience.
:D

Yeah... I did the same thing on his sea trial. I thought he knew nothing about boating... but was wrong. His questions just come across pretty open-ended.

He's a sharp guy(for a Microsoft geek) :)

[SomeSailor]

... each time we dropped from a big wave she would get airborne and get stuck to the roof on all fours (like she was crawling upside down). Then when we hit the bottom she would fall back on the bed.

I did that with my son once. He would rise up about a foot and then plop back down to the seats while laying in the berth... until once I went over a swell and was turning at the same time... he came down in the floor instead. Knocked the wind out of him, but he was OK. :)

When I was on carriers, we'd go up ladders during heavy seas where if you timed it right you could jump from the bottom all the way through the hatch above (10 feet or so). If you misjudged though... you could really screw yourself up. :)

[3788sam]

We where on a 100' charter boat about 100 miles off Mexico Tuna fishing. Seas where 12' to 15' due to a Tropical storm hittiing Hawii.
If you timed your jumps just right when the boat was going down the wave you would be about 10' in the air looking down at the deck.
Man did that deck get small fast!
:shock:

[Kuredu]

SS - I like the ladder story - that would have been neat to do!

Ken - don't the deck come back up to meet you at some point again? Ouch. :shock:

[SomeSailor]

We used to goof off on the flight deck in heavy winds (50-60 MPH across the decks) and if you were good, you could slowly lean forward with your arms outstretched and lean over into wind far enough to gently land on your hands. If you were really good, you could pushoff again and end up on your feet.

Kids would do "the superman" in rollers like that and jump up on a heavy swell. They could jump pretty high... but ya gotta come down sometime :)

[3788sam]

No the deck is falling away from you (jump as soon as the boat starts to go down the face of the wave) its a soft landing.
Learned how to do it from the deck hands. I was 1 of 2 guys who wasn't chumming the waters on board!
the real fun came when we got the fishing grounds and had to hold our position.
Capn was playing the throttles like a concert violinist to keep the boat in one place.

[StevensMan]

Guys,

Thanks for the reassurance, I thought the it is not that simple to capsize this boat and it looks like you confirming it.
My sail boat had this metal thing called keel, it was much slower and could float if fill with water so I felt a little safer there.
I agree with you thoughts that no one should push the envelope if family members do not enjoy the ride so I turned around very fast.
Oil leak - yes, I'd like to find it. But there was no leak at this time and I'm not aware of any other ways to find the leak rather then waiting for it to manifest itself. Good leak will always show up so we'll see. If I do not see any leaks for some time then I may believe in the theory of residual water boiling in oil pan.
Mike, thanks for your kind words. Oil is clean now, there are no signs of water any more. I'm 99% certain I'll be at Friday Harbor on upcoming weekend so I'll stop by to see your guys.
One thing I already broke on the boat - plastic discharge fitting (smallest one for the bilge pump). Wife (should I call her admiral from now on?) told me it fender broke it off when she tried to center boat on the trailer :shock: Have no idea now it happened but it is very minor to replace.
Another thing: tachometer was very erratic before so I cleaned electric contacts - works very nice, stable and steady at all RPMs.

Anton

[SomeSailor]

Hope to see you up there. When do you think you're heading up that way? There are others going out Thursday and Friday, maybe you could tag along?

[StevensMan]

I plan to leave Everett on Saturday morning.

[Jiff]

Regarding sinking boats, I have a '95 2655 Ciera Sunbridge. I suppose it would sink if I hit something that puts a hole below the water level and the pumps don't work or can't keep up.

A hole at the bow and above the floor, moving a backrest, I would see the water come straight in. Not sure if the floor is above or below the water line. Below the floor, I assume my forward pump is in a cavity between it and the hull and would pump the water out. If the pump fails, where would I see water first? Does the pump help if the hole is above the floor?

If the hole's below the floor, is the rate of flow determined by how water tight my floor is or how big the hole in the hull is, and how long would it take for the boat to go under water? If my gas tank is about empty would it help to plug the vent? Not a quiz, it hasn't happened. Just asking.

[SomeSailor]

Wouldn't take much to get you to a point that the standard Bayliner pumps wouldn't keep up, but that's some pretty solid fiberglass in that area.

I always meant to (but never did) rig a cheap blue plastic tarp with bungee hooks on two front corners, and two lengths of rope and clip on crab weights on the other. The idea being that if you did hit something, you could run to the bow...secure the two burgee clips, and then drop the tarp over the bow rail (holding the two small ropes.

The idea would be that once the tarp hit the water. The bungees would hold the front in place while the weights extended the tarp under the boat. You could then walk aft and pull the tarp under the hull with the ropes. Secure those two and you've essentially encapsulated the boat. This would stem in the flow into the boat and allow the pumps to catch up and keep you afloat.

Simple idea in theory, and I've seen pictures of sailboats that have done it and limped home. Beats swimmin' I suppose. :)

[Kuredu]

SS - that's a very neat idea and might just work in a crisis. I have a tarp on board (I have no idea why :roll: ) and will keep it there now for just this reason. Thanks.

[3788sam]

I think I saw just that happen in a America's Cup race. One boat was hit by another (during a practice) and they limped/towed it in with a tarp over the hole!

[SomeSailor]

I always envisioned trying it once just to see how hard it would be to rig. I figured if you had it folded in such a way that when you tossed it over the bow, it would deploy... oh well... an idea anyhow.