seaworthy searays?

berth control

New Member
Nov 16, 2008
886
Saugatuck, MI
Boat Info
1985 270 Sundancer
Engines
3.7 liter Mercruisers
I was just reading the "following seas" section of this month's Boating mag, and it talk's about Europe's RCD rating that shows the level of seaworthiness for different boats right on the capacities tag. Apparently there are classes A, B, C, and D with A being the most seaworthy. I was wondering what size/style boats fall into what class. Anyone know?
 
Check out your manual. I know my 240SD has a section about it.

A. Ocean​
Wind speed: above 40 knots (46 mph)
Wave height: above 4 meters (13 feet)
Boat may be used for extended ocean
voyages.​
B. Offshore​
Maximum wind speed: 40 knots (46 mph)
Maximum wave height: 4 meters (13 feet)
Boat can be used offshore, but not for
extended ocean voyages.​
C. Inshore​
Maximum wind speed: 27 knots (31 mph)
Maximum wave height: 2 meters (6.5 feet)
Boat use is limited to coastal waters, large
bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers.​
D. Sheltered waters​
Maximum wind speed: 15 knots (18 mph)
Maximum wave height: 0.5 meters (1.5 feet)
Boat use is limited to small lakes, rivers and canals.
 
Looks like Presentation bet me to it.
 
Our boat is “B” rated but I don’t wish to find out how well it does in 13’ waves.

That's what I was really wondering, what class certain size boats fall into. I wonder if yours is about the smallest B rated Sundancer. Thanks for the answers guys!
 
That's what I was really wondering, what class certain size boats fall into. I wonder if yours is about the smallest B rated Sundancer. Thanks for the answers guys!

Going from memory, the new 260 Sundancer with the integral swim platform is the smallest Sundancer with the B rating.

Once you get to the older 260 Sundancer with the bolt on swim platform the rating goes to C.
 
Is this "rating" assigned by someone @ SR, or is this from an independent agency?
I'm surprised no starving trial lawyers have taken a 260 or 280 out in gale force winds and 13' seas, sunk it, and sued Sea Ray.

IMO, "certifying" a boat that size as "suitable" for those conditions is irresponsible at best...wonder what genius came up with this one.
 
Yep my 260 is B Rated. Wouldn't want to take on 13' seas. Been in 6-8' with it and it wasn't fun.
 
13 ft seas isn't the issue, its the frequency and are they breaking or not.

Generally, the designation of "Boat can be used offshore, but not for
extended ocean voyages." Means just long enough to get to safe waters but not passage making in those conditions.

13 ft seas is just about the max height in non breaking condition that a pleasure craft of Sea ra proportions can make headway. After that forget it, turn tail and run home.
 
Those ratings are meaningless. They essentially boil down to:
D: canoes and kayaks
C: open boats (i.e. bowriders and/or daysailers)
B: Power boats (at least those that aren't "ships")
A: Sailboats and Ships

If you want to get a sailing board all riled up, tell them that you're going to sail your 32' Catalina trans-Atlantic because it is "A Rated". Hilarity will surely ensue.
 
I found out this year the 240 da can handle breaking 6-8 footers. It was uncomfortable and very intimidating, but doable. I encountered the seas crossing onto the Little Bahama Bank during my annual island trip. Most of the crossing was like a lake, untill we got to the bank. Experience behind the wheel is valuable to say the least.
At times I would say my little boat did better than some of the larger boats in the weather swells. A 44 sea ray express bridge foundered pretty hard as did a trawler tug. I seemed to make better head way and got to the harbor entrance ahead of alot of the bigger boats. Go figure.
Even my cousin in a 2860 Regal fought pretty hard. My self and my other cousin in a 240 Chap seemed to do fine.
 
C'mon...
You're really saying that a 24' cuddy handles big seas better than a 44'?

Guess I've been wrong all along thinking I'm safer 50 miles offshore in a 39'...
 
No, I'm saying in different seas and different captains with varing levels of experience a small boat can do well. It surprised me the 44 was having trouble. The captain was complaining of the waves breaking over the foredeck and washing the bridge over. I guess, do to the wave period, his boat was long enough to poke the bow into the next wave rather than over it.

Here are some pics I could take while trying to drive.
11111.jpg

333.jpg

222.jpg
 
Wonder what my 300DB is rated?

It will be interesting to see how she handles when I take my trip up the "inside" passage" to PWS. It's a long stretch of open Northern Pacific Ocean once you leave Glacier Bay and head towards PWS and Cordova.
 
Yeah, I don't know about those ratings. My 225WE is "B" rated. I don't think I would want to be in it with anything close to 13 foot waves! :smt009
 
My hat is off to salt water guys!:thumbsup: Those are some really good pics, helps me understand what you guys are talking about now.
I though it was bad enough trying to stay out of the wake of our friends 44' Cruisers Sedan Bridge throwing out some 4-5 foot rollers as he came by us. :smt100
 
When we all tried to get over to Port Lucaya on Memorial Day, Mike with his 48 sedan bridge and I with my 44 EB left Hillsboro inlet in what I would describe as 4 -6 foot seas (occassional 7 footers). It was uncomfortable and didn't take us long to decide to turn around. I wasn't about to endure those conditions for 6 hours. I do not however remember waves coming over the bow.

As Chad said, the frequency of the waves make a big difference as well as the speed and direction of the vessel.

Randy
 
No, I'm saying in different seas and different captains with varing levels of experience a small boat can do well. It surprised me the 44 was having trouble. The captain was complaining of the waves breaking over the foredeck and washing the bridge over. I guess, do to the wave period, his boat was long enough to poke the bow into the next wave rather than over it.

Here are some pics I could take while trying to drive.
11111.jpg

333.jpg

222.jpg
Closely spaced wind waves like that really suck.
Ive got into 12fters twice crossing some 30 mile channels. Once at night. Lucky they were just short of breaking waves. Chopped the throttle back as the bow went vertical sitting the bow softly down on the backside. My female passenger was having fun :wow: Twice was enough for me. Ive mostly changed my crossing times now. These overhead swells I didnt even need to turn into. Messed up my fishing though:smt013
Since my engine and tank is out. I'm doubling and adding stringers to my boat. On the 85 26'DA. Sea Ray only glassed one side of the stringers in the ER room.:huh: Going 100 miles offshore, I'm expecting 10fters to be the norm.
 
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