boat size does it matter?

john jameson

Iv heard that ya need length for a sea going boat that the short 14 or 16 ft boats are not great on the open sea does it really matter? will a 15ft be as good as a 19 ft of simular type if they both had about the same beem. For example will a 15 ft osm day boat or simular be as good as some thing that's 19ft that looks the same except for the 4extra ft.
I'm just talking about open or small cuddy boats not big beem sports boats or cabin cruiser just small day fishing or recreation boats
Cheers

Atlantic Dawn

The likes of a 16 ft Orkney Longliner would be a good start. There would be a big difference in the same style boat in 14 ft in the sea it could go through.

john jameson

So a good starting size would be 16 ft and longer . Does beem play a big roll? Say a lake boat beem of about 5ft oppose to a orkney of 6ft or would it be a combination of beem and draft that make a difference

Steve

Where are you planning on taking it out?

fergal.b

Size doesn't matter it's all down to hull design you can have a 15 foot race boat that will skip across the waves or a 21 foot that will cut through them, even something like a small zip cat rib can handle rough water no problem. Most of us will not be going out in rough weather unless it's for racing or being in the wrong place at the wrong time :eek:

john jameson

I suppose I boils down to what the intended use is and how many will be on board in my case it's for spinning about more than fishing around broadhaven bay Co mayo and surrounding areas. There are a few places like kid island the stags of broad Haven and iniskea islands il like to visit more often and as you said fergal it won't be in bad weather
Thanks for info lads