I will be delivering my new (second hand) 268 on Monday. My first trip will be straight out to sea and a 20 mile run down the coast. Any information on how I should trim the 4 strokes, use the trim tabs or best speed to run at sea would be appreciated?
Driving a 268 at sea for the first time
- Thread starter Absolute
- Start date
Have made some very long runs in nasty ocean conditions.
Have also made numerous fishing runs 60-70nm offshore, often running at 25-30 kts with no problem. And we are not young...
Don't think the 268 is much different than the 270. Easy to run at good speed in ocean swells. Need to slow down and put the bow down a bit if in a shorter, choppier sea.
If a head sea, then I don't hesitate to us the tabs to get the bow down, and let the sharp bow entry cut through. It is not a dry ride, with a lot of spray picked up by the wind, but not too uncomfortable at 16-22kts.
If running downsea, then better to keep the bow up a bit to keep from stuffing it into the back side of a wave.
Good to keep the engines tucked down a bit to keep them from ventilating.
Best wishes for a comfortable, successful run down the coast.
Brian
Have also made numerous fishing runs 60-70nm offshore, often running at 25-30 kts with no problem. And we are not young...
Don't think the 268 is much different than the 270. Easy to run at good speed in ocean swells. Need to slow down and put the bow down a bit if in a shorter, choppier sea.
If a head sea, then I don't hesitate to us the tabs to get the bow down, and let the sharp bow entry cut through. It is not a dry ride, with a lot of spray picked up by the wind, but not too uncomfortable at 16-22kts.
If running downsea, then better to keep the bow up a bit to keep from stuffing it into the back side of a wave.
Good to keep the engines tucked down a bit to keep them from ventilating.
Best wishes for a comfortable, successful run down the coast.
Brian
Thanks Brian
Weather forecast is 3 metre Swell with 2-3 metre sea (we get nice rough conditions over here particularly with also a 4 knot northerly current )the sea will be straight on the nose so I will be taking it pretty easy but probably a good test. I will trim the motors right down and use the trim tabs as required.
Weather forecast is 3 metre Swell with 2-3 metre sea (we get nice rough conditions over here particularly with also a 4 knot northerly current )the sea will be straight on the nose so I will be taking it pretty easy but probably a good test. I will trim the motors right down and use the trim tabs as required.
Taking a ride into a 3 to 6 meter head sea is gona be wet. Brian summed it up. Its gona be a slower wetter ride. Tuck the motors in and use the taps to keep the bow down and take your time.
Let you know how we go, we change boats tommorrow morning. We take out 46 Hatteras up the coast and trade in the Grady White and bring her home. Unfortunately the trip home is into the sea, the 24 ton Hatteras loves that sea.
Well made it back & it was a 3 metre swell with a 3 metre sea from a couple of directions so pretty nasty but a good test. Even the Hatteras bumped around going with the sea on the way up. Very happy with the Grady ride, tucked the engines in as suggested and drove the boat on every wave backing off. Some big bumps but no bruises and I was really suprised how dry the boat was considering. I think I can remember every wave I went over but the Grady felt safe & secure all the time and my two boys love the boat.