Performance

asledz1756

How does 246 captiva bowrider handle rough chop on the Chesapeake Bay?

asledz1756

Thanks for your quick response.  

shawnmjr

I have a 246 and I’m on the Detroit River / Erie. It handles it, but as LaRae stated it’s not comfortable in big chop. You will catch yourself slowing down a lot and fall off plane. If you go with the base size motor you will then struggle to get back on plane (even with trim tabs) if you have any type of load on it. If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with a bigger boat / deeper hull. If you do decide to go with the 246 I strongly suggest spending the extra cash for the bigger motor. I ordered my boat new with everything I wanted and my biggest regret is not going with the biggest motor offered. 

Dream_Inn

Welcome to the forum.  The Chesapeake can get pretty rough, but as long as you watch bay conditions, you shouldn't be too bad with it.  24 foot is about as small as I'd want to go on the bay.  Our first boat was a 24ft sea ray sundancer (little heavier and probably could handle a little more than a bow rider same size).  We took that boat all the way up to the C&D and as far south as Crisfield.

earl1z19

I had a 246 Cuddy here on western Lake Erie. Our chop here is very close together and most of the time does not have any sort of direction to it. I never felt unsafe on a rough day but it beat the $hit out of you. We couldn't exceed 25 - 28 mph most of the time. The boat was just to light and not long enough to stretch the gaps between the chop.
That boat measures 26' over all but really only has about 22' of the bottom in the water.
Don't get me wrong it was a great boat you just had to pay attention to the weather and take your time.

asledz1756

Thanks for your responses.

LaRea

I'd go out in waves up to maybe 2 feet.   I'd put cargo up front and passengers at the stern, because the ride is always smoother at the stern.  

If you get caught in 3-4 foot chop, you'll be safe, but you and your passengers will hate it.  You'll have to slow down to 7-10 mph, and everybody will get soaked.  

asledz1756

Thanks for your response.  Soaked is ok, not able to go back to the marina because of sudden increase in the size of waves is not.

Handymans342

asledz1756 said:

Thanks for your response.  Soaked is ok, not able to go back to the marina because of sudden increase in the size of waves is not.

Are you thinking of selling it and getting a different boat?

NickCruz

@asledz1756 If you are thinking of a different boat I recommend a power cat.  I had a 22 ft Sea Cat and I had it out in 4-5 ft seas and never got wet and still do about 25 mph.