Handling large wake

[Gurnard]

Hey gang,<br />Mr. Newb here with a quick question. Sorry if this has been done to death, search turned up nothing.<br /><br />Just bought my first boat, 18’ I/O bowrider and had our first semi-warm, semi-dry day today so out we went. I’m sure there’s a nice way to sum this up in one sentence but I don’t know the terms.<br /><br />On the test ride the guy from the “boat store” said to cross the wake of another boat at right angles (perpendicular to the wave). Well, that’s what I was doing with no problems until…Two large (to me) boats passed one behind the other which created a HUGE (to me) wake. I was probably 50 yards away pretty much sitting still when I realized just how large these waves were. So I turned toward the wakes and started moving slowly in that direction. As I came up the first wave I goosed it to loft the front end. I grew up on dirt bikes so it just seemed right (at the time). Then the front came down and a lot of water came over the bow…it didn’t submerge, quite, but did stop my heart for a couple seconds.<br /><br />How am I supposed to handle this situation? The next time I saw a large boat coming I ran and hid behind a small island. Pretty inconvenient.<br /><br />Name withheld to protect the ignorant.

 

[tangent]

Re: Handling large wake

Crossing a wake at 45 degrees is supposed to be the best. My opinion is if you are going slow, then trim the bow up to help keep the water out, if you are going fast, then trim the bow down to cut through, but that's just my opinion - don't rely on that - please wait for an expert to reply.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Handling large wake

Big boats suk! Especially if you are in a little one. I have a 19' Bowrider and agree with the heartstop! It will take practice. My only advice is to not have the bow loaded when you are in lots of traffic (with big boats). I make my kids sit in back in these conditions it helps keep the bow up a bit too. The key is to hit them at a decent rate of speed as to keep the bow up and not so fast as to knock your fillings out. <br /><br />This is why I prefer mid week, the big boat owners are working to pay for that big boat and gas! The 45 degree rule is the best defense, it will cut the wave as compared to porpoise (straight on) or roll (in line with the wave). Bottom line you goosed it, flew off the top and then bit it on the way down. In your biker terms, you flew over the handle bars. You know the rolls (washboard) in supercross...they find a smooth speed, not too fast or too slow and only they hit the tops of the rolls (waves). However, when a big freakin cruiser trolls by, you did the only smart thing you can do, run like hell to the nearest cove. Good luck!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handling large wake

the #1 rule in boating is to stay alert, there are things out there that at times require split second reactions, just like a car. we have a high traffic area near one of our draw bridges. i was sitting idling in forward, waiting for several Big boats to come thru the bridge, all at idle speed 2 came thur just small rollers, the last one was an idiot, as soon as he cleared the bridge he gunned it. sent up a 4-5 ft. wake, i waited until the wake got close and gunned you poor little 50hp to pick up the bow, i took on enough water with the bow up for most of the water to go out over the stearn. at this point do not back off throttle. keep your boat moving, either the bilge pump will kick in, if you have a float switch, or if you don't have a bilge pump, pull the drain plug in the stearn and keep the boat moving. the difference in water pressure will drain you boat. keep you bow high. this is one reason i perfer to install my drain plugs from the inside of the transom rather than outside. by the way one of the other boaters saw what happened, follow the big boat got the hull #, and gave it to me. i reported the incident and he was given a very hefty fine, as the bridge tender was witness to a potentially bad operation.. the captain is responsible for his wave actions.

 

[JB]

Re: Handling large wake

Howdy, Gurnard.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />I am sometimes amazed at the stupid advice given to customers by some dealer personnel.<br /><br />The 45 degree rule is flexible. Approach any wave at an angle expected to prevent sudden bow drop or sudden air, depending on your speed. Really big waves/wakes may require you to turn nearly parallel to them.<br /><br />I am a Boston Whaler user. They are noted for pounding in chop or small waves. Pounding may be fun for some but can be downright dangerous to vessel and passengers. I ruptured an ulcer that way once and dang near died so I operate my boats to avoid pounding as much as possible.<br /><br />Bon Voyage!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Handling large wake

I have found in boating you need to much more aware of your surroundings (big boats & there speed) than you do in a car. Take the depth of the water your in dark usually is ok going to a light sandy color head's up or it could be your outdrive.... <br /><br /> Now this is not a end all statement but generally a 18 foot runabout can take a 5 to maybe 6 foot swell without swamping,if you are going to take on large swells at a angle just remeber to do so under power,going down the back side greeting the next wave is the challenge. If there large generally bow straight up under power is safe way and be ready to gun out or power your way to saftey.<br /><br /> It's always changing just being aware is the safest......I havnt been in a boat for ten years and now i find my self in a large river with ocean going vessels and you out to see there pressure wave, its may starts 30 feet in front of the boat errr liner and raise's maybe 10 feet its incredible and so far i have stayed away...now with that said they have barges that of course support and that was almost my undoing.<br /><br />Came up behind one and just thought i would ride over there wake. doesnt look like it will be any problems what i didnt now there stern's are plowing almost 4/6 feet down yes that how deep the stern is and the pressure it creates behind the boat makes it look like nothing @ all till you get on top of it, your 6 feet up looking down a 5 foot rollers spaced about 8/10 ft apart.<br /><br /> Now in my youth im damm sure i would have went right back over them seeing if i could bo air borne over all of them....... im not young any more and i never get close to the back of those tug's........

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Handling large wake

The 45 degree rule is probably going to be the best to adhere to. There will be situations where you will need to cross at 90 degrees though. Take the time to practice though, you will get the feel for what is the most comfortable method for your vessel. Another thing you may find yourself doing is passing a larger, slower moving vessel in a relatively narrow channel. This is pretty common in the area I boat in. I'm not sure where you are boating in TN (river or lake) ( I was just in Nashville for SteepleChase last weekend), but in my 18' CC I will "surf" my hull up on the wake until I feel stable, then gently roll off the other side. Usually the safest side to cross will be port to starboard, you'll want to give a blast to your horn to alert the other vessel of your intent. All of this takes practice to master, there is no one sure-fired method as each vessel handles differently in different situations. Always think ahead, and be safe. Have fun with your new boat!!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Handling large wake

Buddy, in my 13 foot boat with 4 inches of freeboard I hit every wave in whatever fashion will bring me to the other side!! LOL

 

[Mark42]

Re: Handling large wake

In my 14.5' runabout what seems to work is what was taught in the Boat Smart class: The bigger the wave, the slower I go and the more parallel I get to the wave. <br /><br />Small waves can be taken 90*, medium at 45* and big 30*. <br /><br />The bigger the wave and the smaller the attack angle, the easier it is to just ride up, over and down the other side without burrying the bow under water.<br /><br />BUT... Too small an attack angle and you can get swamped by water coming over the gunnels or tipped over depending on how the boat is balanced (load and load shift). <br /><br />Taking on "air" is just asking for a disaster because the likelihood of burrying the bow under a subsequent wave and sinking is much greater than just bobbing around like a cork on the water. <br /><br />Experience will tell you how to do it. Until then, play it safe as you can.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Handling large wake

I usually take the 45 approach heading into seas, but on really big ones with the crests far apart, I go almost parallel to the wave.<br /><br />What I have found though, is that if I get my boat right under planing speed and trim the engine way out, I can get 6-8 foot of variable bow lift that I can control (up and down) by varying the throttle (practice makes perfect). I can keep the bow out of the waves on some really mean water and have a smooth, dry ride.<br /><br />When riding big waves at 45 or so degrees it causes you to go off course. That's OK too so do what sailors do and when a smooth wave comes along...and they do every dozen or so waves, tack back real fast and repeat the process in the opposite direction. Zig Zagging you can get home.<br /><br />On following seas I do the same thing with bow lift, but I head straight in the direction of the wave movement and only give it enough throttle to stay slightly on the back of the crest of one wave. This keeps the bow from nosediving into the next wave and keeps the following seas from catching up with you and swamping your stern.<br /><br />Usually big waves are associated with high winds so, even though you are moving at the speed of the waves....to stay on top of one of them, you are moving along at a pretty good clip.<br /><br />If I were stopped as tas was, when I saw the wake I would have turned around and headed in the direction that boat was heading to pick up speed then allow the boat to pass and as it did head toward the stern of the boat.<br /><br />Don't croud him, but most wakes are the calmest right at the boat when you are being overtaken and you both are headed in the same direction. Then when you get immediately behind him (a safe distance out) you can turn about and go about your business.<br /><br />Like the guys said. Practice it so that you know what you and your rig are capable of in an emergency. I can't overstate this because knowing my boat gave me the courage to do the right thing (on numerous occasions) and I am here today to tell about it.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Mark

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Handling large wake

Gunard, When crossing multiple large wakes/waves, the boat will tend to go up and over the first, down and thru the second, up and over the third etc. Something to try is after you go over the first wave(at a 45 degree angle) at a reasonable speed, gun the motor to lift the bow for the second wave. Cut the motor back to the original speed for the third wave and gun it for the fourth.<br /><br />If the wave approaching is small, you can certainly cross it at any angle without an issue. I usually go parallel to the small ones since it is smoother to rock side to side.