Test drove a gulfstream today - carumba

[Chinookie]

I was a bit surprised at the outcome. No swells, for I was inland in the puget sound, but close spaced wind waves were two to three feet and occasional 4 according to the weather service. Headed directly into them and expected to cut through them like a knife through hot butter. But instead I felt like I was going to get launched at any second. Tried 4000 to 5000 rpm and 20 to 28 knots and adjusting trim angle, but nothing I did made it cut through. We didn’t pound, but we were on the edge of pound and it was extremely uncomfortable. I was worried my gf was going to get rag dolled in the helm area so I cut it short.

I am not familiar with the boat, so it’s quite likely I did something or everything incorrectly, but the impression I got was that this boat would beat the snot out of me in head seas. It has me rethinking a gulfstream. Would an islander have cut through or been similar?
Thanks

 

[kirk a]

I think your expectations are unrealistic. If you were in true 3-4' close spaced waves at 20+ knots, it is gonna be sloppy, that would be a tough slog in my 330 - from a comfort perspective anyway.

 

[VTski4x4]

As posted above - true 3-4s is going to be sloppy in most boats under 35ft. In true 3-4s, my Regulator has the tabs down and I am probably running 24-26kts, and there will be an occasional *bang*.

 

[Fishermanbb]

What year Gulfstream?

 

[JJF]

"two to three feet and occasional 4 according to the weather service."..........I believe those are average wave heights.

A typical kitchen counter is about 36" off the floor. add another foot in it's pretty damn tall...plus you have the wave period, direction, shape...

This past Saturday, our 17 mile trip home (from Boston, MA to Gloucester, MA) was in probably 3 - 4s (short period) with a 6' swell (medium period) and wind blown chop.

We (five adults) were heading mostly East against an NE wind and outgoing tide (so the tide was kinda-sorta against the wind). It was sloppy and I was only able to run at about 34 MPH (engines trimmed fully down and trim tabs at six bars down; a lot of tab for my boat). I wouldn't say the ride was overly rough, but it definately wasn't super smooth.

I would say my 306 Canyon is significantly bigger and heavier than the 23' Gulfstream. Honestly, I think you wer expecting too much from the boat in the conditions you described. IMO the issue is the length of the boat just can't span the waves/periods.

 

[GH02050]

Tabs down definitely helps a lot in rough water, especially into a headwind, but probably not while pushing 28 into closely spaced 3's and 4's. You have to be realistic. 23ft, even if fat and heavy, will only go so far. You may need a bigger boat $$$