Can I Damage my Parker 2120 DV with the pound/slam Factor?

[Smittles1179]

Green Question set up story:

As you know I picked up a 2120 DV in May 2010 and enjoyed an awesome summer in the Narragansett Bay. Waves in the Bay were 2 to 3 foot chop on a Bad day and I had no problem at all cutting thru them, it was fun.

Then I found I could trailer the ship to Point Judith and hit Block Island fairly easy and did this several times. I always went on nice days but sometimes found the waves much larger, let’s say 3 to 4 feet. I drove the boat hard and fast and found in my inexperience that you can get some pretty good slams where the boat lifts up and pounds down hard. (Sometimes a wave of six feet was involved.)

What I found cool was the wave went completely over the top of the boat and you loose visibility for up to 3 or 4 seconds while the windshield wipers slap back and forth. I find this extremely exhilarating and don’t mind the pounding so much when everything is tied down correctly and not flying all around.

MY QUESTION WOULD BE:

Am I damaging my ship when it slams down into the waves in a pounding motion or is this normal? Can the hull of a Parker take such abuse or could I crack or break something and sink it?

Normally I enjoy calm waters and fishing but every once and a while I find it fun to push the limits and imagine what it would be like caught out in a storm without actually being caught out in a storm. But I wouldn’t want to do it if it damages the boat or could break something, any advice for my sophomore year?

Bill

 

[gw204]

If you were to repeatedly hit yourself in the head with a hammer, would you eventually break something? Yep...and it wouldn't be the hammer. :lol:

Take it easy on your boat or it will let you down when you need it most.

 

[Sully]

I have had water coming up over my SC roof many times
Mostly in 3-5 ft but usually because of nose dive into them at about 12-15nts
That being said I have slammed down on a few also
I usually use the "Kidney factor" method
If you think you might hurt you kidney or lower back then you might want to back her down :shock:
There is always the chance of in the long term getting spider cracking in the gel coat
But I think as far as breaking the hull not so much...

 

[pmeggers]

you're fine

 

[WAJSKI]

trim= trim= trim =if you have them then use them. I have a 2320 sl I can run 3-5' on Lake Erie 22- 25mph, ButI have to trim. I would say you are hurting yourself more than the Parker

 

[jutah09]

If you were to repeatedly hit yourself in the head with a hammer, would you eventually break something? Yep...and it wouldn't be the hammer. :lol:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[cpenrose278]

I think your fine

 

[Parkerman]

This is actually an interesting question. We have ALL come crashing down at some point and said "holy s#€t"! So how much is too much? Is water harder than ply and glass? Can any boat, Parker or Other, pound apart? I am sure a rotted out wood skiff can break apart but can a sound fiberglass hull?

 

[DaleH]

Hurt the boat? Not the hull, but you could break/damage any mounted gear ... antennas, mounted electronics, shatter a window ... or do what I did and shear the Capt's seat pedastal completely OFF!

I woke up on the floor of the cockpit and if the seas were worse, I could have rolled over (boat) or taken a ton of water aboard ... so YOU can get hurt or put yourself and boat in grave danger.

But hurt a Parker hull? No way baby!

 

[Smittles1179]

Thanks for all the responses from everybody. My main concern in bringing up this question was could I damage the hull. It appears most of the community believe this can not happen even with the occasional pounding in the waves unless I use a hammer.

I always use my trim tabs but this has little effect when speeding along to fast in rough seas. Obviously I can simple slow down to resolve any issue and have done this on many occasions. What I was doing was intentionally creating a situation I consider was not excessively dangerous and that my lower back and kidneys could handle while raising my adrenaline level for the pure exhilaration of it.

What I was not thinking about was the secondary fallout being damage to the gear like antennas, mounted electronics or windows, thanks for pointing that out Dale.

This year it is my intention to utilize the boat in more inclement weather. Only one time last year was I on the water when a day showers past overhead. It got darker as the cloud cover blocked the sun and when the rain came down visibility was severely limited. The storm passed rather quickly, the sun came out and it was like nothing happened. I feel like I need a few more days out on the water (in the bay) for experience as I would not feel safe at all if this were to happen while I was farther off shore.

Again, Thanks for all the feedback.

Bill

 

[pmeggers]

Capt Smitties, dont go get caught in perfect storm on us.

 

[miky2884]

Capt Smitties, dont go get caught in perfect storm on us.

:mrgreen:

 

[Elysium]

Have had water coming over the top several times rounding Beavertail and experienced the rush/fear of sudden blindness. Try RainX periodically through the season-you'll be amazed.

 

[pmeggers]

You guys are nuts. Water of the top. Thrills. Rushes. Mind explosion!

I only go out NOAA 1 ft or less winds variable. Otherwise, you are cruising for a bruising.