So this winter I built a set of Skip's boards with some small changes. I have pulled out riggers offshore in seas that I probably should have not been fishing in but that is another story.
So as a planner board neube are there any indications of the dreaded flip? Are the boards jumping off the waves? Do they do a chine walk and get unstable? I am just trying to figure out when I should break out the Crown Royal...
They can ride up a steep wave, stall and get pushed over (flip) by the wave; this is evidently what mine did. They can get airborne off a wave and flip/dive. On Saturday we realized that going into the wind with those periodic rogue waves (a coupla 5 footers mixed in with 3 footers), my boat would have strong momentum going up (into) the wave and then accelerate on the backside. This acceleration would pull the boards much faster. This sudden jerking would make the boards move 'violently'. Once one of my buddies pointed it out to me I cut my power slightly when hitting a big wave and this seemed to help. Different boats might have different results.
My boards now have my name and phone number on them
__________________ 2008 Maycraft 2550XL (The Hunter) - Yamaha F250
(Hiding from Cold weather on Grassy Key)
<*)))))><
Fortunately I have not had this experience. I DO love Crown Royal, but I'm not sure enough to deliberately flip a board. Since it is bound to happen at some point, maybe I should start looking now for a pair of 13' Whalers to upgrade my boards to!
When I was first designing my boards - played around with various designs.
Some pulled really tight on calm days but went nuts in a chop. A lot of trail and errors - many errors , came upon a decent set.
One day off Solomons - it was really snotty. Had waves up over bow of my Grady a few times. My dad was with me and said - let's see how rough they'll handle before going over.
Had the boards fly off waves a few times - easily 2 feet off water. Looked like a tuna jumping waves. They never flipped so left design as is.
A few guys have managed to flip my boards but often in really bad waves. One thing that seems to help them ride better is getting first line just about to the board. I think it acts similar to the tail on a kite.
One thing that seems to help them ride better is getting first line just about to the board. I think it acts similar to the tail on a kite.
Skip - A fishing buddy of mine, Dan, told me that an old charter boat captain told him that when it gets rough he should attach a couple of heavy (20-24oz) inline sinkers to the all-tread bolts between the outer and middle board. Ever hear of this?
__________________ 2008 Maycraft 2550XL (The Hunter) - Yamaha F250
(Hiding from Cold weather on Grassy Key)
<*)))))><
2008 Maycraft 2550XL (The Hunter) - Yamaha F250 
Hybrid Mode
