how rough is too rough?

[kamakazi]

Last weekend, the weather forcast for the pacific ocean was 2 foot swells with 1-2 foot windwaves. A perfect day to go boating so I packed up the wife and brought some friends to do a cruise up to another harbor to have lunch for the day. On the way back (afternoon), the seas were like a washing machine! It got sooo bad that all occupants in the boat got soaked by the water sprays as we cruised back to our home port. There was a couple of times where I actually got close to stuffing the nose on some of the 4-6 foot swells just barely on plane!! During our return trip, I played with our speed to try to find that speed which would help our kidneys form rupturing... During our 35 mile trip back, we hit some major swells/wind waves that slapped the Chit out of my hull that jarred our teeth, after making it back safely and washing/flushing the boat, the hull looked great, stringers in engine compartment looked intact and motor mounts fine... How hard can our Baja's take punishments???? This is the first time that I've had incredible amounts of water splash into the boat, it litterally got us completely soaked!!! It was that rough...
Jojo

[Baja Daze]

Sounds nasty!
I've found myself in similar situations on more than one occasion. Once or twice, it was downright scary. Same as you, often what happens is that it's nice in the morning and turns ugly as the day goes on.

I would say, that the ride quality being relative to size, weight and deadrise of each boat, it would be very difficult to quantify a limit.

However, I know our boats can take some serious abuses. Like you, I've experienced the feeling of immense pounding associated with short period steep waves...teeth are chattering, your gut's about to rip out and your legs are taking serious abuse. Nonetheless, the boat always comes out unscathed. I've actually been amazed how a boat, any boat, can handle those conditions.

Suffice it to say, that most boats are designed to outlast the occupants typically.

Generally speaking, I don't go out when I realize the conditions simply won't be of any comfort. For my 25, that means about 3 to 4 footers, with average spacing.

When you can barely stay on plane, yet fear going any faster, you're in for a battle.

[kamakazi]

Thanks for the reply daze, I guess there isn't that many people on this board that take their Baja's in the Ocean? This last run has convinced my wife and me to get a larger boat. Though I don't condone boating in that type of condition, it was merely a fluke with no tell-tale signs. Complete respect should be given to any Oceans because they can turn on you in a minute! Have a safe/fun boating summer.
Jojo

[Baja Daze]

You got that right!

Down here in St. Petersburg, FL boating in the Gulf can be interesting. It could be dead calm one minute and not 20 minutes later it could be 3-4' seas. Summer can be very unpredictable with all the volatile weather.

[Baja340SF]

Plenty of ocean boating up here in the Northeast too! (actually a treat to be on the lake last weekend) I definatly understand the respect issue to the ocean. Been caught in a few quick arriving storms too.
One time with the 272......sunny calm day.....then thunderstorms, lightening, wind (60mph recorded speeds) and rain and hail. Was trying to get back to a dock (any dock) when i got caught on a lobster trap bouy that ended up spinning the hub......only head way speed then... suxed HUGE!!! Getting bounced arround in 5-6 foot seas with no real power!
Another time..........i was offshore 26 miles (no land visible) when we saw another of these storms starting to head our way. ( i was in my 33' stratos). It hit us when we still had about 20 miles to go. We were fishing offshore and it was a rough day to begin with......prob 7+ foot seas......before the storm came. Another 50+ MPH winds .......seas got crazy easy 12-15' and i couldnt see a damn becasue it was raining/hailing sideways. Thank god for a chartplotter. Eventhough it wasnt a Baja ;) that boat earned my respect that day for getting me home safely.
Mother nature will sneak right up and bite you in the ass if you dont respect her!

[BDannecker]

Phil,
Sounds like you need a weather radio...:lol

[outlaw1971]

Hi guys, I'm new to the board and experienced the same thing this weekend. Took my Outlaw 29 out of Dana Point, CA. Saturday was pretty good and we had a great run to Newport. I left it in overnight and at about 2pm on Sunday decided to go out for a quick cruise. That was the worst day i've experienced in a long time. Needless to say with 4 people in the boat I actually launched off of a deep trough and when i' landed, it threw me into the passanger seat. Thank god i remembered to pull back the throttles. Could have been nasty otherwise. We turned around and headed back for the harbor for some afternoon drinking instead.

[kamakazi]

Outlaw1971, do you launch out of Dana Pt. often? I launch out of there since it is my primary launch ramp that is closest to me. I live in Laguna Hills. Last weekend was the time of the "washing machine" excursion when we when up to Long Beach to have lunch at the Yard House. Thats the worst seas I've ever been in with my boat. Maybe one of these days we'll see each other at Dana Pt.?
Jojo

[Baja340SF]

With the one when we got caught offshore........i knew there was a chance of afternoon showers!! This was definalty no shower!! lol

[outlaw1971]

Jojo,

Dana Point is my primary launch ramp and i go out of there almost every weekend. Which Baja is yours? I have a '98 Outlaw red, grey, black graphics on it. We should meet up there some time

[kamakazi]

Outlaw1971, I just must of missed you last weekend? I try to go out almost every weekend if the Admiral lets me. Mine is Purple, Red, and Yellow H2X. Usually I pull with my F-250 crewcab but since the wife is learning how to drive, and the parking in Dana is tight, I tow to Dana with my Explorer. This weekend coming up I don't know if I'll be there? Got to check the "honey-do" list. Let me know if you will be there this weekend or next, If I do go, I'm usually there at the site by 0900 hrs.
Jojo

[outlaw1971]

Jojo,

I will most likely be out there this weekend. It's my birthday and the wife will pretty much go along with whatever i want to do this weekend, so you bet i'll want tot take the boat out.
Give me you number and we'll get in touch

[kamakazi]

Outlaw1971, my wife has a paper due this weekend for her Master's desertation. I've already asked her and she said no and reminded me that I had some "honey-do's" to take care of. Looks like I'll be mowing the lawn and cleaning the garage this weekend. Have a fun boating day, you should cruise up to Long Beach and tie-up in front of the Yard House for lunch. It's a nice ride when the seas are cooperating, plus the refreshing beers they have on tap is just refreshing! Have a safe/fun outing and Happy B-day! My cell number is (949)246-4966. Next weekend if the weather/seas are cooperating, I'll be out there again for a days cruise. By the way, where do you live?
Jojo

[outlaw1971]

Jojo,

I live in San Clemente and my name is Ed by the way. What's yours? How long does it take you to cruise to Long Beach from Dana Point?

[jal4sas]

Jojo

Must be you like the other places to post better?:hat

[kamakazi]

Ed, mine is Jojo... It takes me about an hour to get up to Long Beach from Dana Pt. depending on conditions. I will be taking mine out this coming weekend on Saturday, will you be out then? How was your B-day trip last weekend?

Jal4sas, I like to keep my options open. I belong to 3 other boards, thats the beauty of the internet, there are an infinite number of possibilities and information you can gather from it.

Jojo

[michaelchase]

Ed and Jo Jo, I live in Dana Point and recently bought a new Baja Outlaw 20'. I've been going to Havasu and spent a week at Lake Powell, but haven't launched yet at Dana Point. How much is it and are the lines usually long to get in?? It seems like I've seen long lines there before I had the boat.

Do they have a good place for washdown/engine flushing?

I'll probably be going there this weekend, here's a picture...look for me.

http://www.skadron.com/boat/baja-lake-powell3.jpg

See you then....

Mike

[outlaw1971]

Michael,

To answer your question, the lines are actually ok, especially if you have a smaller boat. I assume you have a tandem trailer and in that case the fees are only $10 for the day. The washdown area has about 10 or so stations so it's usually available right away or with a short 5 minute wait. Actually, the whole facility is great and if you want to get a guest slip, it's only $10 for the night to leave the boat in the water.

Michael and Jojo, we should all hook up and do a run up to Newport or something for lunch.
Ed

[michaelchase]

Ed and JoJo, I am definately going to launch at Dana Point Saturday morning...maybe go up to Newport for lunch at Woody's Warf or somewhere else?

Tell me what your boats look like and when and where to meet.

Mike

[TEAMBAJA]

Michael,

Thats a great picture of your BAJA! You dont see any background quite like that around here.

Lake Erie can change so fast. A few weeks ago I cruised to Kellys Island alone across a flat lake. I woke up to 6-8 ft chop and occasional rollers. Seemed like everyone, even the big boys were waiting for it to lay down a little. I took off in my 220 Force and could barely keep it on plane. I actually stuffed the bow just idling out from the docks it was so bad. It was fun pulling out and everyone watching, but when I got out in the middle of the lake I realized I was alone and getting the crap beat out of me and the boat!

TB