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Matthews Voyager 56 in rough water

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Guy C, Aug 15, 2024.

  1. Guy C, Aug 15, 2024
    #1
    Guy C

    Guy C New Member

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    Hello
    I have recently been looking at buying a 1976 Matthews Voyager 56 and wondered if anyone has any experience of these in rough conditions. Are they ok a force 6- 7. Boat looks interesting but hull looks a bit more suited to calm waters, unlike a Hatteras. Any thought really welcome.
  2. Pascal, Aug 15, 2024
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Why would you want to go out in force 6-7 conditions in the first place ?

    not familiar with Matthew’s but I would avoid taking my Hatteras in such conditions
  3. jsschieff, Aug 15, 2024
    #3
    jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    If it's the 56 located near Chicago, there is no reason why the hull design would be worse than a Hatteras in rough water. The hull design looked pretty normal in the listing photos, the only caveat being that the hull bottom looks somewhat rounded instead of being flat so it might roll a lot in beam seas. Looks like quite a lot of TLC and refurbishment needed. But as Pascal says above, no one should be taking a pleasure boat this size out in force 6-7 conditions.
  4. jhall767, Aug 16, 2024
    #4
    jhall767

    jhall767 Senior Member

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    Hull design is only one part. Look at the glass in the boat. Force 7 is generally considered to have Large waves that would be breaking across the foredeck. Are those windows designed for hours of that? Is that side door going to handle a wave that breaks over the side?

    Many sportfish boats have eliminated forward windows over the years because of that. In extreme seas I would take my former 44' sportfish with no forward windows and no side openings at all over my 58' cruising yacht.

    Not saying it's not a good boat - just maybe force 7 is a little too high an expectation for a coastal cruising yacht.
  5. Pascal, Aug 16, 2024
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Years ago I took some water over the bow of a 70 footer exiting a cut in the Exumas with wind against out going tide…. Broke a windshield panel. Not completely but caved in at the top letting gallons of water in the galley. That boat had a low bow with no sheer.

    that Matthews has very low freeboard, not good in rough waters
  6. Capt Ralph, Aug 16, 2024
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Last edited: Aug 16, 2024
  7. YachtForums, Aug 16, 2024
    #7
    YachtForums

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    jkotler and leeky like this.
  8. Seasmaster, Aug 20, 2024
    #8
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    Buy an Elling. If you get stuck in Force 7 you'll be ok.
    T.T. likes this.