22' SHAMROCKS IN ROUGH WATER???

[Capt Crunch]

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Hey, all,
I'm new to Shamrocks, don't know much about them except that I like the idea of an inboard and full transom in an offshore fishing boat.
I see that Shamrocks have almost no deadrise at the transom -- they're almost flat. Does that make them ride rough in sloppy water? Do they "bang" in waves? How do they handle in rough water? Thanks for any advice.

Crunch

[Luckydog]

Capn Crunch,
I have a 20' WAC, 1998 model. The front part of the hull is a pretty nice v-hull. I've not noticed any undue rough ride because of the rear deadrise. The bow/prow is normal for a v-hull boat but the bottom actually slopes upwards as you move toward the stern. This accomodates the keel. I found the boat to ride rather nicely in the open water of the gulf stream last year in the Keys. Close wave action, like what you would experience in shallower waters, i.e. lakes is another story. I think then you have the rougher ride, more pounding because the v of the front hull doesn't slice through the first one before it hits the next three.... then it's a little bumpy.

But I love the boat!

[Billt]

I have a 22 WAC. A true deep V outboard boat will do better in 3-4' seas than my shamrock, but they have to do 25-30 MPH to stay on top and hold on tight. The wave direction makes a big difference in my boat too. When things get bad like a solid 4' the smaller outboard guys are in the air or at 6 knots, this is when you are glad you have a shamrock. I can put it at 2000 rpm and plow along at 12 knots with green water coming over the bow and not spill my beer. You want the WAC with all the plastic up on these days. The other advantage to the Shamrock low deadrise and keel is trolling ability. It does not rock much in a beam sea, tracks very well, and there is no outboard to fish around. There are days when I would like more speed - Friday I was 36 miles from the inlet when we decided to come home, long ride at 20 knots!

[Luckydog]

Billt,
I have the 20, you have the 22.......Do you have the 350 Chev w/carb? At Max continuous cruise (3600 on mine) what kind of speed do you get in smooth water?

[Billt]

My boat has a tired Ford 351. I had the prop pitch reduced to 14x10 (mistake) so I am slower than I used to be. At 14x11 I was running 20 knots at 2950 RPM now it takes about 3100 to do the same. My top end RPM is about 3800 RPM - I think the speed is about 28 knots. Do not worry about top end numbers. You want 2-2.5 MPG at 20-22 knots @~3,000 RPM. Lots of people have messed with props, carbs, and other stuff and I have not seen any report of an improvement of the above.

My new block comes back from the machine shop on Friday. I am building a new engine. I plan to get at 13.5x11 4 blade prop. I think I will be at 260 - 280HP with better low end torque than I have now. Not sure when I am going to switch over to the new engine, the fishing has been great and I do not want to stop (got nice blackfins on the last 2 trips). I will probably wait till the heat of summer to do it.