How to handle other boaters wake

[FSH 210 Sport]

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

Agree on both counts… they get freaked out because in a place like haul over the water is moving very quickly, and that gives a high speed over ground without any water speed, and one needs to maintain that water speed for control authority.

I just participated in a safety survey the other day, and a question that came up several times (like my answer is going to change) is whether or not I as the capt have a safety meeting with those on board. It seems so simple to me, but then in my industry we always had a tail board / tail gate meeting to discuss the scope of the job as well as all of the safety precautions that were going to be needed and observed.

On the boat it’s pretty easy, here’s my basic safety meeting.
-Here’s where we are going and what we are going to do.
-Can everyone on board swim? If so how well? If I get any kind of doubtful look then everyone gets a pfd until later, and no one has ever complained. All teenagers or younger wear PFD’s for the whole time.
-stay seated,
-here is where all of the PFD’s are,
-here is where the fire extinguisher is.
-And lastly, if I ask you to do something do it and do not question me at the time. Questions can come later if not self evident at a later time.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I wouldn't focus on speed. 45 degrees off plane with bow up. If you know your waterways, you can swing out of the channel far enough to let the wake die down to almost nothing by the time you swing back in.

 

[Julian]

Agree on both counts… they get freaked out because in a place like haul over the water is moving very quickly, and that gives a high speed over ground without any water speed, and one needs to maintain that water speed for control authority.

I just participated in a safety survey the other day, and a question that came up several times (like my answer is going to change) is whether or not I as the capt have a safety meeting with those on board. It seems so simple to me, but then in my industry we always had a tail board / tail gate meeting to discuss the scope of the job as well as all of the safety precautions that were going to be needed and observed.

On the boat it’s pretty easy, here’s my basic safety meeting.
-Here’s where we are going and what we are going to do.
-Can everyone on board swim? If so how well? If I get any kind of doubtful look then everyone gets a pfd until later, and no one has ever complained. All teenagers or younger wear PFD’s for the whole time.
-stay seated,
-here is where all of the PFD’s are,
-here is where the fire extinguisher is.
-And lastly, if I ask you to do something do it and do not question me at the time. Questions can come later if not self evident at a later time.

I add a little more if its just me and no wife (who knows how to drive the boat):

• Here is how to start and stop the engines, these are the throttles - forward / reverse.
• Here is the horn
• I also point out the fire extinguisher, and the fire port (and tell them...DONT open the engine compartment)
• for offshore/ocean - I add - here is the radio (channel 16 for help)- and this (Red) button for emergencies.
• Also point out where the medical kit is
• lastly...if in doubt...get out! (with your PFD)

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I add a little more if its just me and no wife (who knows how to drive the boat):

• Here is how to start and stop the engines, these are the throttles - forward / reverse.
• Here is the horn
• I also point out the fire extinguisher, and the fire port (and tell them...DONT open the engine compartment)
• for offshore/ocean - I add - here is the radio (channel 16 for help)- and this (Red) button for emergencies.
• Also point out where the medical kit is
• lastly...if in doubt...get out! (with your PFD)

Excellent additions !!!! I totally forgot about the fire port! I do usually have at least one of the guests/crew drive the boat with my guidance so they have some feel for it. Using your additions I’ll probably make up a check list and have it laminated and toss it in the glove box.

 

[Julian]

Excellent additions !!!! I totally forgot about the fire port! I do usually have at least one of the guests/crew drive the boat with my guidance so they have some feel for it. Using your additions I’ll probably make up a check list and have it laminated and toss it in the glove box.

Great idea.....share the file if you do this!

 

[HawaiiBreeze]

Let your gut be your guide and don't go any faster than you are willing to hit something, even a wake. Hitting a wake at a 90 angle is easy and most people as passengers know what to expect because most have gone over a speed bump in an automobile. I find the side on wakes to be the ones that throw people off balance especially on a small 19' boat. That momentary and intense/deep side to side rock has fooled more than few passengers on my boat.

 

[swatski]

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?

Huh! We have all been there!

In general, crossing at 45 deg or lesser angle will decrease "pounding" - simply elongating the period of a wave (crest to trough distance); that distance is the shortest at 90 deg angle, leading to the steepest wave (shortest crest to trough distance).

That works well for small-ish wakes but risks rolling over and capsizing the boat with a large wave hitting sideway. With big wakes (picture: Staten Island Ferry passing you within a few feet at 40mph - throwing a 4-5ft wave w/ a 2-3sec period) - you don't want any of those hitting you sideways!

Rather, with really large wakes you want to be at 90 deg and the bow needs to be up; ideally, boat moving just under planing speed, so a bit faster than the "hull speed"; brace yourself, make sure everyone is warned and they hold on to their butts.

"Hull speed" in knots equals approximately 1.34 x sq root of the hull length (at waterline) in feet, so say ~4-6mph in your case. Moving the boat slightly above hull speed creates a bow-up attitude due to delayed convergence of waves pushed by the boat's bow, and stern, respectively, creating a "hole" aft of a stern.

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