Owner`s manual

2014 Glacier Bay 2770 Owners Manual
5.10 HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS
Glacier Bay has full displacement hull. Displacement hulls provide superior handling characteristics, even at
low speed, and an improved ride in rough water. Our proven design provides a superior ride, excellent
handling characteristics in a variety of conditions, and speed with economy of operation. To help you
experience the softest ride, study the following sections.
5.10.1 Turning Characteristics
Turning a catamaran is slightly different than cornering on a conventional vessel. Imagine the difference
between an automobile and a motorcycle. Automobiles take turns in a flatter, more stable, manner similar to
catamarans hulls, while motorcycles pitch hard into a turn similar to a monohull. Do not underestimate a
catamaran’s cornering ability however, hard adjustments to the steering wheel can make a Glacier Bay bite
quickly and execute high performance turns. Experiment with the handling ability of your cat so you are
prepared for any situation on the water.
5.10.2 Adverse Sea Conditions
Catamarans are designed to handle some of the roughest waters in the world, but that is no substitute for
common sense. As an operator you are responsible for the safety of your passengers and vessel; therefore,
your trips should be limited by your level of experience. Planning and paying constant attention to the
weather and sea conditions is paramount. If you are forced to operate in dangerous seas however, you can be
confident that your Glacier Bay, when operated properly, can handle them safely. Following are some tips on
how to handle your boat in adverse sea conditions:
1. When traveling into the wind, changing your direction a few degrees to allow one sponson to
settle before the other, can make the ride smoother and allow for increased speed.
2. In a rough chop with short wave intervals, increasing your speed may allow the boat to skim
across the tops of each wave. This will result in a smoother ride.
3. Steer to avoid larger swells and breaking waves.
4. In a following sea, position your vessel on the back of a wave and match its speed to remain
ahead of the trough. Speed is paramount. Work the throttle to avoid going over the wave or being thrown
down the face of a following wave.
5.10.3 Boating Tips
Experience is the best way to determine the handling characteristics of your catamaran. Operating the boat in
multiple sea conditions and under various loads will help you predict how the boat will perform in any
situation. Glacier Bay provides the following recommendations regarding the performance of your
catamaran:
1. Establish an RPM chart which details the speed and fuel consumption at various RPM levels to
achieve the most economical operation.
2. Monitor fuel gauges to determine the amount of operating time remaining at a given reading.
3. Determine minimum speed for effective steering in close quarters.
4. Determine the turning radius required at various speeds.
5. Determine the rates of acceleration and deceleration with various load conditions. Include the dis-
tance required to stop the boat at various speeds.
Use the information provided in section 6 of the Sportfish, Cruisers, Yachts Owner’s Manual for more
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