My solution would be to trim the bow all the way up and run at the same speed as the wave train. ANY boat CAN be spooky in a following sea. It just depends on how steep and how big. If you run faster than the wave train then you have to keep your eyes open as the bow can jam into the back of the next wave potentially causing a "broach". I have done it...once. And while it wasn't a real broach, the boat basically stopped in it's tracks...and I could hear everything done below shifting/crashing. Bottom line is you just have to pay attention to what the boat is doing in relation to the waves. It is not relaxing and can be stressful.
I didn't but in retrospect I think it's (bigger rudder) a good idea. The boat never did respond to the rudder like I thought it should.The original question was has anybody tried a bigger rudder or maybe power steering
Since propeller wash greatly increases rudder effectiveness, operating only one of twin engines in a following sea seems unwise.
I think you might have your threads crossed up. OP has a single engine.
Like tacking downwind in a sailboat to avoid getting too square to the wind?Too big a rudder and your steering becomes "busy." When I encounter a following sea I just go off course a few degrees, and take the swells at an angle.
Well i maybe the first to try it on a pilot. I had a friend do one on his 34 trawler and he said it was a huge difference he only added 4 inches and it was designed to bolt on to existing rudder.
we do get some wind here i dont no if pro describes me but i do respect the weather. You are correct i am worried about the engineering . That is why i was wondering if anybody has tried this.If anyone knows about rough sea conditions, it should be someone from the PEIs. My guess is Jamie expects his Pilot to handle like one of the all weather local vessels and it isn't. By all means bolt on some bigger rudder type stock, keeping in mind the rest of the rudder gear may become a weak link.
I doubt Mainship considered a pro like Jamie would test their Pilot in a PEI gale and enjoy it.
Do you what! We cycled PEI for a week a while back, there seemed to be headwind from every direction. One day I was in bottom gear to keep moving, another day wind on the frame of a bike parked, front wheel in a rack, bent the wheel beyond repair.we do get some wind here...