New boater question on planing in small boat

[Phidget]

I recently bought a 2007 185 Sport that is great. Having driven some rentals in the past, I find that once I am on plane, the boat tends to feel better a bit dangerous if I try to accelerate past about 25 mph on any type of small chop, or when another boat's wake crosses me. I do not recall this feeling on a bigger boat.

So, my question is:
Do you think this is just nerves driving a smaller boat that i actually own, or is this size boat really crazy to drive at higher speeds unless the water is glassy?

My wife tells me Im being silly, but it gets rough enough to knock you out of a chair, and I do not want to hurt anyone, or damage my new boat

 

[El Capitan]

This is too subjective. I have a 1970 18ft and it feels stable and rock solid. How would you be able to tell the difference on a thread?

You should have tabs down ( if you have them) when approaching chop.
When over taking a boat in front you should be entering at an angle and slowly cross the wake then accelerate to pass safely.

 

[Phidget]

I will try to clarify a bit, but I can't be too detailed as I just dont have the knowledge yet.

I do not have tabs. I ride on Lake Travis in Texas, which is a fairly large and busy lake. Last weekend was windy, with quite a few boats running about. There was 1 ft choppiness that was not consistent in its spacing (not sure the language to describe that).

 

[Golfman25]

You have a small boat with a relatively flat bottom. You'll get pushed around in the lightest chop. The boat can take more than the people. Your best bet is to work the throttle when you get into the nastiness of a boat wake, etc. Back off the power a bit as you cross the waves, then power back up. Good luck.

 

[Phidget]

Thanks for the replies to my question. I needed a boat that would fit in the garage, and we love the boat mostly. We bought it used, with the plans to resell it and upgrade if we find the "Boating life" is for us.

Right now, it is looking likely we will be shopping again in another year or so.

 

[JVM225]

We’ve got a similar boat (2005 18’ Maxum with 3.0 Mercruiser) that my kids run around in and it gets beat up in a chop at 25 mph. They slow down a bit when it is choppy out to avoid hammering the boat.
It’s a small lightweight boat so it’s to be expected.
In flat water that thing flys though.

 

[Fly'n Family]

Trim is your friend......or if not used properly…...not your friend.

 

[Little Ducky]

When I had a SR 180BR on a busy weekend it would beat me up.

Now that I'm in a SR 290 DA riding waves can be fun.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Phidget, Fly 'n Family nailed a possible solution to your problem.

When you start to get up on plane the drive should be all the way down. As your boat makes that transition from being "in the water" to being "on plane", you should start raising the drive.

Bring it up until you hear the prop start to cavitate. You'll notice the difference in the sound of the prop and engine. Then trim it back down a bit until the cavitation stops.

After you have more experience with your boat and get used to operating the trim and throttle it will become second nature and you'll do it without even thinking about it.

Also, when you're running in a chop, bring the drive up just a bit to raise the bow so you're not pushing through the waves as much.