Hydrofield 18 help

[Jaguar 18]

Hi Guys
I'm pretty new here to posting etc, I'm just wanting some help to resolve a question, between a mate and myself.
I have a Hydrofield 18 and when I purchased it the guy said it was actually a 6.1m due to the pod that holds the motor on being on the outside of the hull, (not sure if that's the right terminology) but you can see what I mean in the picture.
so at 18ft that makes it around 5.46m and with the pod it makes it around another .6m roughly (I've never measured it) equaling 6.1m. Now this sound feasible to me, but a mate says the 18 ft refers to the overall length including the pod, which also sounds feasible. It is also regoed as a 6.1 by memory
Now as you can tell by the question my boating knowledge is extremely limited as this is my first boat.
Any other advise for this boat would be greatly appreciated.
ThanksHydrofield.JPG

[Micadogs]

Hi Jag 18, the correct measurement of a boat is the hull line that is in the water. The pod and bowsprit are what is considered length overall.

The boat is correctly labelled as an 18 footer as this is the hull length. length overall, you would add the pod and the bowsprit (the thing that holds the anchor away from the nose) and this would give you the overall length.)

It may be that a pod was added later (I'm not sure with that model).

Just another thought, grab a tape measure and measure where 18 foot (5.46 metres) comes to and 6.1 metres

My boat is described as a 5.5 metre (18 foot), and 5.8 length overall (30cms for bowsprit)

Finally, and some people do get caught out, there is length on trailer, this would include right back to the propeller when motor is up, through to the tow hitch. This measurement tells you space you need for parking etc.

regards Adam

[dfox]

Mate im not sure on how they measured the hydrofields due to the fact theres been many changes alterations and builders of the craft over the years, but what i can say is that pod looks pretty standard and that model has always been labeled the 18.
Boats over the years have cunningly been labeled and given model numbers to deceive there lengths, things like 1800's , 2400's youd be lead to believe there 18 and 24 feet, but no thats just the model number.
Hull lengths is a science in its own and pods etc only confuse the matter more.
Heres a pic of one with the 18 on the hull ... foxy

[zakster]

Looks like an 18 to me. The 6.1 was basically the 18 hull with a higher windscreen. Often called " Destroyer Windscreen''. On the inside of your transom on the port side should be the builders plate with the model and year of manufacture on it. Great hulls, could'nt think of a better boat to start your boating. Super stability and very forgiving when you make an error. Dont baby it,
they have to be driven to get the best out of them.

[Jaguar 18]

Thanks Guys
I'll run a tape over it and measure, not that it's an issue but just to see who buys the first beer on the weekend lol.

[business class]

when u think ur driving it hard, put the throttle down further Hydrofields need the air under them for there best proformance. It will take time to get used to, but u need to but dont be worried to give her a gut full when the seas get choppy. Trim is a massive factor in these boats so make sure you use it alot, U will feel it realease when u start to trim out as she will free up, once this happens its all GO!!!!! In a following sea trim her up and go for it, you will be amazed what it will do, dont fight the hull either let her do what she wants to do. Takes a while to get the hang of driving one but once you do they go pretty well. Nice choice of boat I have a 6.8m and we fish some terrible conditions and have never felt unsafe yet and that is all a boatie can ask for. Good luck and if u got any questions about her feel free to ask and ill try to help if i can. Congrats on ur first boat Now alls u need is a billfish and ur set

Regards,
Matty

[PB]

I was under the impression that the older Hydrofields where measured at the waterline length, meaning the length of hull sitting in the water at rest.

[business class]

I was under the impression that the older Hydrofields where measured at the waterline length, meaning the length of hull sitting in the water at rest.

Nope their not Their 1990 model were measured from bow sprit to pod.

Cheers
Matty

[Jaguar 18]

when u think ur driving it hard, put the throttle down further Hydrofields need the air under them for there best proformance. It will take time to get used to, but u need to but dont be worried to give her a gut full when the seas get choppy. Trim is a massive factor in these boats so make sure you use it alot, U will feel it realease when u start to trim out as she will free up, once this happens its all GO!!!!! In a following sea trim her up and go for it, you will be amazed what it will do, dont fight the hull either let her do what she wants to do. Takes a while to get the hang of driving one but once you do they go pretty well. Nice choice of boat I have a 6.8m and we fish some terrible conditions and have never felt unsafe yet and that is all a boatie can ask for. Good luck and if u got any questions about her feel free to ask and ill try to help if i can. Congrats on ur first boat Now alls u need is a billfish and ur set

Regards,
Matty

Thanks Matty
We have had it out about a dozen times now and find it great with three or four of us, it is very stable on the water and great when fishing at anchor you can walk around without rocking around, I like to have a dive as well and it's extremely easy to get on and off of weighted up.
Is there a way to secure the boat so you can take of the winch line off from trailer without the boat wanting to rocket off?
I though I had it fixed by moving the last wheel on the trailer back one spot of adjustment so the rear of the hull just sits just forward of the centreline of it and holds the boat up against the front roller, then it allows you to disconnect the safety chain and the winch line as there is no pressure on it and then it's a small push and it rolls back.
Two people have said to me the tyres must line up either side of the trailer or it doesn't support the hull correctly, while I can see their point, it is still supporting it just not at the top of the tyre, (all of them have 25psi), but any other advise would be great.

[Mister]

Hydrofield 18 is 18 feet measured from bow to stern of hull proper which makes 20 feet overall stem to rear duck board/outboard mounting. Rated to 120HP max.

[Jaguar 18]

Hydrofield 18 is 18 feet measured from bow to stern of hull proper which makes 20 feet overall stem to rear duck board/outboard mounting. Rated to 120HP max.

Thanks that works with what I measured earlier today, although mine is rated to 200hp max which is what is on it, not 120

[trueblue]

Is there a way to secure the boat so you can take of the winch line off from trailer without the boat wanting to rocket off?.

Have you thought about a restraint line from a rear cleat to a reachable mid point on the trailer?

ie, make up a suitable restraint rope with a open hook on it. Connect it from a back cleat to a mid point on the trailer(length to alow the boat to comeback 6" before taking weight on the side rope). back down the ramp, release the winch, and winch the boat back until the side restraint rope takes the strain and then unhitch the winch. Get in the boat, start up engine, and power forward 6" to take strain off the side rope, and then just flick the side rope hook off, and reverse off the trailer

very easy

cheers

Mick

[business class]

Thanks Matty
We have had it out about a dozen times now and find it great with three or four of us, it is very stable on the water and great when fishing at anchor you can walk around without rocking around, I like to have a dive as well and it's extremely easy to get on and off of weighted up.
Is there a way to secure the boat so you can take of the winch line off from trailer without the boat wanting to rocket off?
I though I had it fixed by moving the last wheel on the trailer back one spot of adjustment so the rear of the hull just sits just forward of the centreline of it and holds the boat up against the front roller, then it allows you to disconnect the safety chain and the winch line as there is no pressure on it and then it's a small push and it rolls back.
Two people have said to me the tyres must line up either side of the trailer or it doesn't support the hull correctly, while I can see their point, it is still supporting it just not at the top of the tyre, (all of them have 25psi), but any other advise would be great.

To fix this problem is SIMPLE When u back her down the ramp, have the driver in the boat then slowly hand winch the boat backwards around 300mm then have the driver start the engine and put it into gear, drive up on the 300 mm u let back then you unclip then back the engine of into gear and it will roll back. Once ur nearlly off ur skipper will have to use reverse her off the rest. This is the Easiest way to launch, i even do it on my own if need be. Dont be scared to bury the trailer either i have the last type just above the water lvl, just when u get home give her a good hose. I hope u drive on too and not winch it, or i feel sorry for ur deckie ..... Remember when driving on you cant miss just go in slow u dont even have to be in lvl as ur hulls will hit either side of the tyres and u straighten yourself up then drive on, Check the depth of the ramp also BUT if u have it just under half trim u will never hit ur skeg..........

Regards,
Mat

[Noelm]

moving the wheels on the trailer does not help (or hinder) the boat sliding off, you just need to make sure the boat is far enough in the water before unhooking the winch, or use the method above, with a driver in the boat, this is probably the best method, especially at ramps that tend to get crowded.

[Noelm]

OH, hang on, you mean the wheels that guide the boat onto the trailer.