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Maybe I am expecting to much but I take my 1996 Outrage 19' in the Gulf of Mexico with a 2' chop and my boat rides rough. I am sore for 2 days after the ride. Is there any advice on how to get better performance out of my boat in the gulf? I am looking to sell the boat because of the ride. It has a Suzuki DF225 on the back.
(Edit: changed to proper name of 1996 Outrage 19' for clarification per guidelines at the top of this page)
You may be running the boat faster that your body can handle and this is why you are so sore. A 19' boat cant run the same speed like a 24' boat. The magic length to be able to stretch across the wave and blast is 24' down here in Texas coast. Slow down to help the pounding. All rough water is different, like every wave is different and every boat has a sweet spot for running in every given rough conditions. 2' waves is rough and white capping. The sweet spot is just not speed but trim and tabs. Move a lot of weight to the bow also will help. That 225 is a heavy motor is probably not helping your handling. Push the tabs down and push the bow down.
I used to run a 1978 Montauk 17 with young kids and other adults in super rough water and the secret was slow and trim.
Archie
Typical load is 2-3 people positioned standing at the center console while traveling , 30-40 gallons of fuel in a 100 gallon tank and minimal gear (3-4 rod and reels and 94 gallon ice chest). I trim my tabs and motor all the way down while heading into the waves and run about 15-20 mph. I can get up to 30 mph at 3800 rpm traveling with the waves and this seems to be a sweet spot.
I agree that maybe because its a 19' boat that I am expecting to much and the weight of a 225 maybe effecting performance. I love my Whaler and just looking for some advice on better handling. Thank you for both your comments and help.
Practice and experience with a particular boat is how you learn to get the best ride and performance. Different speeds, engine trim and line of approach to waves provide different outcomes. You just have to experiment until you get there. I recommend you "learn" your boat before taking the drastic step of selling it. Different trim tab settings can make a lot of difference in ride.
The Gulf is a pretty friendly place to fish. Choose your days carefully. Mornings are usually less bumpy. Try an earlier start and head for home if conditions are no longer decent.
Try to use a ramp closest to the Gulf to save good fishing time wasted on getting there.
