Can a 1988 1800 bass tracker (fiberglass) handle big water??

[saltfisher]

Im thinking of taking my boat down to the chesapeake bay this year, and know there are some big boats out there that throw some pretty nice wake. My boat is a 1988 18ft fiberglass bass tracker 1800 dual console bass boat. I have a 150 merc on the back, and wanted to know  what kind of water this boat can handle? It will tackle any fresh water I have had it in, but never hit anything nasty. What to expect just incase a see some nice rollers comming at me.

Thanks

[bigjim5589]

I'm not familiar with the boat you have, but it should be fine depending on the conditions, where in the bay you intend to go, and how well you handle it.

I have a 16 ft jon boat that is fine for the rivers, and even the occasional trip to the bay around the bridge (Annapolis area) on calm days, but it's not a good boat to be in on rough days.

As far as bigger boats, that depends too. Unfortunately there are a lot of folks on the Chesapeake in big boats at times that think they own the whole bay, and have total disregard for smaller craft. Of course the same is often true for small boats too! You just have to deal with it as best you can. 

[Buzbait88]

I think a lot has to do with the driver.  Enough seat time in rough water and you'll learn to handle it pretty well.  Just take your time.  I was in a tourney with 4' -5' footers in my 18ft champ and I only speared one wave. got really wet, but pulled into a marina to run up a slough and talked to a 21ft Ranger that speared 3-4 and there cockpit was completely full to the top with water and they were just in front of me pulling in.

[robertrosen]

I have the 1989 version of your boat and the answer is NO. This boat will not handle big water. The boat is too narrow and because of the hull design the boat does not like to stay on pad at slower speads. If you hit 4-5 foot rollers and are not experienced for this, it would not be long before something dab happens.

[Buzbait88]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't a narrowere boat actually perform better in rough water.  A wide boat will ride higher on the waves with the more surface area where and narrower boat will slice through them more.  Thats what makes the 97-2000 champion 202 give or take a few years one of the best boats champion made.  It sliced through waves since it was narrow and was also quiet fast for a champion

[bigjim5589]

I don't think any small boat is ideal for the kind of conditions you guys are suggesting. But his question was primarily about the wake from other boats I believe, not bad weather conditions. As I said, my jon boat is fine on a nice day, even with the jerks out there. You do have to be extremely careful, and watchful, including the weather. It can get rough on the Chesapeake bay, and when I'm out there, any indication of bad weather coming I get out of there! Not worth it to me! The weekends of course are the worse days, and there's a lot of boats, jet skis, sail boats out there in the summer. Not the safest time to be out there in a small boat. I try not to go there on the weekends, instead I fish the smaller rivers, alot less crowded.

There is always the possibility of getting swamped or sank, even on a nice day, as accidents can happen, but for the most part, if you pay attention, your boat should be fine for the bay. Now if you do something stupid, like sit in the middle of the channel, you'll probably get run over by a bigger boat, or a ship, so don't do anything like that!

Make sure you have all your required safety gear too! More is better than not enough! Plus the DNR & Coast Guard both patrol the bay, and if you're near the bridge, the MD Transportation Authority patrols that area by boat as well, and they do check boats!

What part of the bay do you intend to be in? Again, theres plenty of places a smaller boat can be used in the bay, just depends on the conditions at the time & what they might end up being while your out there. The best advise I can give about going out in the Chesapeake is when in doubt, don't!

[saltfisher]

We do alot of crabbing at assowoman bay at assowoman state park, and it always seems very calm there. Nice and wide open, boat launch right there. and wanted to go there and set up a bunch of crab traps. I also wanted to try putting in at the indian river marina, and fishing right out from the marina. Not far just incase. I will have GPS, flares, everything i would need plus more. Only porblem there is when the tide comes in the current looks to be pretty strong, and those big 40-50' sport fishing boats are always comming and going because of the marina throwing those big waves.

[purple20xd]

i fish in the most treacherous waters around in southeast louisiana. down here we have bays that are 1ft deep and the gulf of mexico along with the mississippi river and ship traffic. waves from 6" to 20' aren't unusual so i know from whence i speak. the secret is in the attitude of the boat and the driver.
ever notice that a can or bottle will take those biguns and stay afloat? learn how to take the water with respect. when taking on big water remember you have to ,1. don't be in a hurry SLOW DOWN,2.use the V in your hull, thats what its there for, and only trim up slightly(5 degrees)3.up one side and down the other. in this case bravery is = studpidity.goodluck .purple20xd

[robertrosen]

I have the 89 version of this boat and the guy that said it won't handle big water is right if the boat is stock. I just put a 6" CMC jackplate on mine and it made a huge diffence. I can now stay on pad at around 30 mph maybe a little less. Before it would only stay on pad over 45 mph. Also went with a 4 blade 25 pitch with extra cup. Big help in the lift dept. The boat use to be very scary with the 150 on it but now I feel much better and can control it. GPS 63.3 @6100 rpms with the jack plate and 1" below pad. PM me we can compare notes.

[guardrail]

Saltfisher i had the same boat but had a 115 on mine and if you do take it out there be real carefull  i had isuses with bow lift you need to be able to hit the gas and have the bow come up if not you take a chance to swamp your boat

[iClass]

When in doubt Dont take the boat out...If you are not experienced in big water, stay small and learn what you and your boat are capable of.  Know your boat and it's tendencies.
    Length
    Beam
    Motor response time(Does it hesitate during throttle response). This is very important as you will need the throttle response to time your hits on the waves. If it falters you are in trouble
Know the water:
    Shallow bars
    Deep channels
    Stump flats
    Layout:
Which wind direction will cause the most problems. Winds really stir up the water.
Running the wind:
    Waves come in sets with the 4th or 5th being larger
    I alway try to run at a set of waves at an angle
    Head on you can keep the bow up and time the waves with the throttle, but it is a rough, wet ride.
    When you must change directions make the turn larger and allow the boat to ride down into the bottom and ride the tops at an angle
    Use the throttle to keep you up on the tops if possible.(The bottom of a 5-6' wave is a very hard hit).
    Running with the waves is the time that you will have the biggest chance of spearing a wave. Spearing is when the bow fails to clear the top of the wave in front of you. If the bow hits just 12" from the top of the wave there will be enough water coming at you to knock you out of your seat, break the windshields, and completely fill the boat. (Been there and done that). Do not panic. If with a partner try to level the boat by moving around and get the bilge pumps running(They should be anyway). Find the nearest bank to beach the boat until you can pump the water out or use the engine while you idle over the swells while pumping out the water.
    My Skeeter has two pumps. One is automatic and the other is a manuel. both are 1,000 gallon per hour.
    Use your throttle to time your rise and fall.

If you fish big water:
    Have a boat that will handle it
    Know which way the wind is likely to blow and pick your launch ramp that will allow you to launch in the most protected areas
    When all you can see are waves around you higher than your head, DO NOT PANIC. your boat will not cause the problem. It will be indecisions by the operator that will cause the issues. Stay focused and work out a game plan.
    If you are sure that you cannot get back just put in on the bank and wait it out.

Always err on the side of caution...

[Rebel9921]

I wouldnt worry about it if the water body is fairly calm (0-1ft wave) but would be very leery and alert if it gets more than that...  if it happens to be 2 or more ft, I'll be getting off the water... or at least move slowly over to calmer area...

I am from Minnesota... and I've fished at Lake Mille Lacs when it was calm and rough... I've seen what a rough water can do to a Ranger 620VS and I know that my 1800FS wont be able to handle that... Better safe than sorry...

Hope this helps...

[rellison]

I had a 1988, 1800FS, 150 Merc XR4.  It will NOT handle the rough water!  Down pitch the prop and keep noise trimmed high if you just have to test it for yourself.