Control in a seaway

[tranmkp]

Just curious as to some of the techniques you all use in some heavy seas - I come from a sailboat background and not very much of that is applicable to trawler technique. I am really shocked as to how power boats roll in a seaway. I have never been in a position to run before weather or deploy a drogue. What I have learned so far is:

Avoid beam seas if possible, really. In some beam seas the roll will be so strong that the aft part of the hull will slam with great force.
Slow down, but not too slow but not too fast.
Albin 27 really cuts thru water - but will bury its bow if going too fast upwind.
Downwind in swells, steering is useless.

[Panhdjoe]

How big a sea are you talking about? We got into 5-6 foot seas with a hard chop in the Cape Fear river (North Carolina) and our 27 Family cruiser handled it no problem. Joe