How to handle other boaters wake

[dv_damian57]

So, Im new to boating. My biggest fear was actually the boat ramp. Seen too many issues on youtube, that part had me a little nervous. Well, after being out twice now the biggest issue Im finding its wether I should accelerate or slowdown when a coming boat wake comes towards me. Ive been looking online for videos that explain what the proper process is but I found nothing online to my surprise. Any suggestions or videos?

 

[Crob83]

I have found in my 2018 195 that the sweet spot to go thru wake is in between 25-28mph. Any slower and you just get beat all to hell, well and any faster just isn't very safe. All depends the size of the wake and angle you can hit it as well IMO.

 

[Ronnie]

I try to hit such wakes at 90 degrees. how fast depends on how big the wake is, if the water I’m boating in is smooth or rough and how many other boats are in the area. I assume this isn’t the answer you wanted but IMHO there is no single best way to cross another boat’s wake. Whenever I do so without breaking anything or anyone, losing my patience or getting criticized by strangers at the ramp I consider it a victory.

 

[zipper]

Here are a couple...

“Crossing Over” Safely: Five important tips for crossing wakes | Lisa The Boatanista

At Freedom Boat Club, we are passionate advocates for boating safety. Every member goes through classroom instruction and on-water, one-on-one training with ...

boatanista.com

Crossing Wakes - boats.com

Three tips for safely getting across wakes

www.boats.com

It is more difficult to install on 19'ers, but trim tabs made a big difference on my ar230.

 

[Babin Farms]

Too many variables to get just one answer. Is the wake big or small, how much room do you have to make maneuvers to take on wake, what speed are you going and a few other questions. The best thing to do is get out there and try different things and find out what works best for you and your crew. Also, one thing to remember is that sometimes your just going to have to take a beating due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

[Michal]

Agree with @Babin Farms, so many variables. My goto at any speed has been 45 degrees, seems to work well on the ICW with much bigger boats in the channel. Practice and see what works best for you.

 

[RobbieO]

So, Im new to boating. My biggest fear was actually the boat ramp. Seen too many issues on youtube, that part had me a little nervous. Well, after being out twice now the biggest issue Im finding its wether I should accelerate or slowdown when a coming boat wake comes towards me. Ive been looking online for videos that explain what the proper process is but I found nothing online to my surprise. Any suggestions or videos?

If you have ever driven a waverunner, is basically the same scenario, except you are much bigger. I like 45 degrees.

 

[dv_damian57]

I think the plan its going to be the following....

Im going to take my go-pro next time and Ill let you guys see what Im doing and hopefully get some feedback after that as well.

 

[RobbieO]

I think the plan its going to be the following....

Im going to take my go-pro next time and Ill let you guys see what Im doing and hopefully get some feedback after that as well.

When I had my Sanger Superjet back in the 70"s, there was only one way. Bury the throttle and learn to fly. That's probably why my back is trash.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

While sailing, I learned to take a wake at 45 degrees. The benefit of doing so is that it puts you in a good place for the second one.

Jim

 

[Julian]

I agree.....45 degrees is the typical recommendation. Speed depends on your willingness to go airborne and hurt yourself, your crew or your boat.

I know of a member who didn't realize the size of the wake they were approaching, slowed down, but not enough, and the result was one broken arm, one spinal compression, and one fractured eye socket (all occupants of the bow).

Slowing down too slow can cause your bow to stuff. So for me the ideal is just below planing speed (15-18mph on my boat). So your bow is as high as you can get it, and you can plow throw the inevitable 2nd wave. If I can see the wakes clearly (like on a lake), I will go faster. On the ocean or busy ICW etc it is often far harder to see the nature of the wave. For example, crossing to Bimini, we often see large container vessels. We KNOW their wakes are approaching, and I slow down to "find" them. Hitting one out of the blue hurts - we never have anyone in the bow while crossing to bimini - but you get the point!

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

Slowing down too slow can cause your bow to stuff. So for me the ideal is just below planing speed (15-18mph on my boat). So your bow is as high as you can get it, and you can plow throw the inevitable 2nd wave. If I can see the wakes clearly (like on a lake), I will go faster. On the ocean or busy ICW etc it is often far harder to see the nature of the wave. For example, crossing to Bimini, we often see large container vessels. We KNOW their wakes are approaching, and I slow down to "find" them. Hitting one out of the blue hurts - we never have anyone in the bow while crossing to bimini - but you get the point!

I sometimes find in interesting to watch the "Haulover" videos especially since you can often see what leads up to folks stuffing the bows of their boats. Often it is due to captains not approaching at the correct speed, sometimes too fast, but most often too slow getting the bow to point down into the next wave.

I totally agree with the bow thoughts, if you have big waves passengers should be in the back of the boat. Aside from the possibility of injury there is a possibility of getting tossed right out of the boat. WIth multiple big waves, and especially little kids, maybe its also time for captains to think about pfd's until things calm down.

Jim

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

NO



YES

 

[tabbibus]

Completely agree with the 45 degree suggestion. I tend to slow down if it is a big wake and kinda roll it. Specially if older folks on board. Otherwise if just the kids and wife and it is a moderate to small wake I take it like a champ at 25mph-ish. You may feel it more the slower you go on these smaller wakes. So like everyone said, go out, have fun safely, and you'll figure it out.

 

[HangOutdoors]

NO

View attachment 168092

YES

View attachment 168093

Where are all the PFD's / Vests? If I ever run Haulover, will surely have mine on as well as everyone in the boat with one on.

 

[dv_damian57]

I sometimes find in interesting to watch the "Haulover" videos especially since you can often see what leads up to folks stuffing the bows of their boats. Often it is due to captains not approaching at the correct speed, sometimes too fast, but most often too slow getting the bow to point down into the next wave.

I totally agree with the bow thoughts, if you have big waves passengers should be in the back of the boat. Aside from the possibility of injury there is a possibility of getting tossed right out of the boat. WIth multiple big waves, and especially little kids, maybe its also time for captains to think about pfd's until things calm down.

Jim

I cant watch those. Usually very painful to watch

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Where are all the PFD's / Vests? If I ever run Haulover, will surely have mine on as well as everyone in the boat with one on.

In the NO pic, what you can’t see is a young boy with a life jacket on….who got haulover rinsed off of the bow seat along with the three women who were sitting up front… all should have been in the back seats.

I agree with you about the PFD’s. Whenever I’m in motion using main propulsion I have my pfd on, along with my ignition cut off lanyard.

In the YES pic, weight is balanced, under power, probably going about 14-17 mph bow / shield up, cruising through with authority.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I cant watch those. Usually very painful to watch

You should watch them to learn what not to do, and what TO do. All part of lessons learned from a safety aspect. Was never any fun watching safety vids from the industry I worked in as some of the injuries were gruesome to say the least, but it sure leaves an impression as to what you better not do.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

In the NO pic, what you can’t see is a young boy with a life jacket on….who got haulover rinsed off of the bow seat along with the three women who were sitting up front… all should have been in the back seats.

I agree with you about the PFD’s. Whenever I’m in motion using main propulsion I have my pfd on, along with my ignition cut off lanyard.

In the YES pic, weight is balanced, under power, probably going about 14-17 mph bow / shield up, cruising through with authority.

There is a very timely video from Boats vs Haulover Inlet a couple of days ago (2:05 mark in the video). Captain got tossed overboard and not wearing a pfd. Also probably not a safety lanyard, but more importantly is the comment made that you need to teach rudimentary skills to the crew and have a second safety lanyard on board so the crew can pilot the boat back to the captain overboard.

Jim

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

You should watch them to learn what not to do, and what TO do. All part of lessons learned from a safety aspect. Was never any fun watching safety vids from the industry I worked in as some of the injuries were gruesome to say the least, but it sure leaves an impression as to what you better not do.

I would agree. Most new captains will drive their boat slowly over the waves/wakes in these inlets out of an abundance of caution. This is when they tend to stuff the bow. They then continue to keep the bow down, potentially stuffing it again and not get the water already on board back to the scuppers so that it can drain overboard.

Jim