Posted: 07 September 2004 at 11:04am | IP Logged

Hi,

We were staying at Cape May and planned on going back to our home port on the C&D Canal yesterday.  The Coast Guard issued small craft advisory for the Delaware Bay, with 3-5 foot wave heights.  We left the boat (390EC Searay), rented a car, got our car at the home port and drove home.  Next weekend we need to rent another car and hopefully get the boat up to the Canal.

I saw other smaller boats heading out - one I spoke to was going to the C&D Canal.  Are we just over-cautious?  I know it is a personal decision, but I wouldn't want to risk having a problem on the bay.  Any thoughts?

Thanks - Kevie

Posted: 07 September 2004 at 1:01pm | IP Logged

Been in SCA several times.  Never in any danger but a messy and uncomfortable ride.  I delay departure because dealing with the Admiral is much worse.

Posted: 07 September 2004 at 10:08pm | IP Logged

I made the trip up the bay in my 370DA from Lewes to C&D on Sunday afternoon just after they issued the SCA.

The ride was pretty slow, wet, and not fun all the way from Roosevelt Inlet to Miah Maull lighthouse.  After that point the bay got considerably better and we were actually able to drift and grill up a few burgers.

The boat performed great considering sea conditions and inspired alot of confidence.  I also had a friend with me who fishes the mouth of the Bay way into Novemeber and is used to the nasty 4 ft chop.

Philly Boater

98 Searay 370DA

Posted: 08 September 2004 at 8:29am | IP Logged

I made 2 offshore fishing trips this past weekend, and they called Small Craft Advisories both days (Fri/Sat).  This was a case where the wind was not going to be worse than 10-15kts, and the swell was going to be 4-6 Fri, 5-7 Sat.

I actually clocked 11 footers out there both days (more of them on Sat).  What made it fine to be out there (absolutely beautiful, in fact!!) was that the period of the swells was so great, it was simply like going up and down hills.

Period of the swells and wind speed/direction DURING those swells make all the difference in the world.

Posted: 08 September 2004 at 3:53pm | IP Logged

Life is not a video game, there are no restarts.  Heed the warnings and live to boat another day.

Once you have as much experience as the Coast Guard then you can make your own decisions.

Posted: 08 September 2004 at 4:22pm | IP Logged

Although I do tend to agree with MikeM2 that the 39 should have no problem. (I've seen fisherman in tin boats in that type of weather)

It's all about what you feel comfortable with!  sure you could've made it without any problems.  I know I've delayed trips or extended them because of 3-4ft waves in the bay.  I've also taken my 24 thru those types of waves for hours at a time, no fun!  The warnings are there for a reason, telling you that is a risk, & one that everyone in the boat has to be willing to take in order for the captain to ship off!

although I do tend to agree with MikeM2 that the 39 should have no problem.

Posted: 09 September 2004 at 9:33am | IP Logged

Judgement call, many times, pure and simple.  If I took the forecast as gospel all the time, I'd hardly ever go out!  I have taken the position that if it is questionable, I'll head out....can always turn around.  And I have turned around before.....no big deal.

Posted: 09 September 2004 at 1:02pm | IP Logged

The period of swells in the bay areas such as Chesapeake or Delaware Bay tend to mostly be more frequent causing even the larger boats to continually slam into waves one after another, not making a very fun day.  I have a friend who has a 46' Post who says he's had waves in the Deleware bay come over his bow.

Posted: 10 September 2004 at 9:12am | IP Logged

Yeh, exactly what I'm talking about.  With periods such as what you are talking about, it doesn't take much "height" to make a sloppy ride, and a downright long day if you were to venture out offshore, LOL.

Posted: 10 September 2004 at 1:56pm | IP Logged

I owned a 390EC we kept on the Gulf coast for several years. I agree with Mike......the boat should do fine in those conditions.......3-5's wouldn't be a fun ride but I don't think it would would be unsafe. However, the boat can only do as it is directed by the operator. If you are not comfortable running the boat in heavy seas, or if you have limited experience in the boat then stay home.

The 390 is a great boat but it does suffer from some handling quirks. Generally speaking, they are not great in heavy weather/seas. The 390 is a wide beam, shallow draft boat with deep prop pockets. They do not handle cross winds well since there isn't much boat under the water. The wide beam and shallow draft also make them poor handlers in a following sea. The deep prop pockets mean you will have the wheels come out of the water frequently in seas that approact the 6-8 ft. level. Gas versions are underpowered with even 454's so they do not respond quickly. In summary, the 390 can handle rough weather but you better know what to expect and how to react.........for me, 3-5's  would be ok but bumpy; 5-7's real rough and slow going, anything over 8 ft. and the boat begins to bang thru wave tops even when going slow and it is a miserable ride.

Frank W. 

Posted: 12 September 2004 at 10:45pm | IP Logged

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice, quotations and support.  Your experiences are invaluable!  We got the boat back to our home port today and it was a beautiful, calm enjoyable ride. 

Kevie