Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

[proaudioguy]

20ft boat on plane passing a 35-40ft boat on plane, or almost on plane. Big boat has a very narrow but very tall wake. Little boat could fly over the first peak, but the second and third will be a problem. Slamming of the bow occurs, and the kids start crying.....lol. This is a scenario I would like to avoid. I drop speed down or raise speed up to the point where the boat as about to plane, but not quite. Seems to range in speed something over 10mph and less than 16 MPH, but varies. The bow goes UP, the stern is down, and now I'm creating a rather deep wake too. The bow glides over the wakes and the folks sitting in the back barely feel it. Am I on the right track, or way off? Is there a better/ different way to do this without having to slow down so much?

 

[QC]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

When in doubt, take the wakes (or waves) at a 45 degree angle. This helps reduce the risk of "stuffing" the next one and may allow more speed . . .

Moving to Boat Topics.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

My wife is pregnant, and if I hit a big wave I hear about it. When I pass a large boat like that, I simply come off plane and wait for it to pass.

If I'm traveling in the same direction as the boat, I'll get over to the wave and motor over it with as little force as necessary.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

I drop speed down or raise speed up to the point where the boat as about to plane, but not quite. Seems to range in speed something over 10mph and less than 16 MPH, but varies. The bow goes UP, the stern is down, and now I'm creating a rather deep wake too. The bow glides over the wakes and the folks sitting in the back barely feel it. Am I on the right track, or way off? Is there a better/ different way to do this without having to slow down so much?

That's right on. You're not going to get any smoother than that with a 20' er. That's your boat's sweet spot you've found

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

... I drop speed down or raise speed up to the point where the boat as about to plane, but not quite. Seems to range in speed something over 10mph and less than 16 MPH, but varies. The bow goes UP, the stern is down, and now I'm creating a rather deep wake too. ...

Sounds like you know how to do it. I drop the speed, but not so far that your bow drops and digs into the next wave. Some times a goose of the throttle can make sure the bow rises as the next wake arrives.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

I've noticed I am usually able to hold my speed when overtaking but sometimes have to slow when I hit an oncoming wake. Granted, I'm running a 9000# 29' boat which would have some effect.

I was out yesterday and got rocked by a guy in a 60+ foot something big and fast. There were a set of four probably 4-6 footers behind that thing. Not cool. I also got hit beam-to by a wake which produced a really uncomfortable situation. I was in the middle of the bay and have no idea where it came from. The bow was a little low to cut the chop and I got pushed quite a bit. I've never liked the feeling of heeling over like that.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

When we had our 20-footer we found that a 45 degree angle wasn't enough to combat a 3-foot cruiser wake. We had to drop off plane, slow to nearly idle, and turn to take on the offenders' wake at 90 degreees. We would then ride the passing boat's prop wash (and harmonic hull waves) before we could get back on plane.

This was ordered by She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Today we have a bigger cruiser. It handles up to about 6-8 foot waves. Call me stupid, but when I'm in the river I ride the throttles and look astern to see if my wake is being obnoxious.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

RickJ I also watch my wake. A few times I've found myself slowing a bit for a large wake.

 

[tal]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

As said, sounds like you know what you're doing...sometimes you just need to slow down and plow over the wake to avoid awkwardness and people flying from one side to another.

That being said, I got rocked by one of these things back in June on vacation. There's a reason that turquoise yacht is stopped..but anyhow. It doesn't appear to be that large of a wake but when I decided to idle out over it I soon found that to be a big mistake in my 21'. It sort of caught me off guard with sight that it was.

Seriously though, it was a hotel on a barge with some sort of huge crane on the back. Probably going out to the oil spill I imagine. This was out of Port Aransas, Texas.

Didn't keep me from catching any of these though

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

This is a great post for new boaters and I think this should be stickied in an appropriate place. I had no clue how to handle these wakes in my 17.5 bowrider. The first time I damn near sank my boat trying to get around a 40 footer. The trick for me is to make sure the boat isn't on plane and if there are multiple wakes, make sure you're ready with the throttle to get past the second and third wakes.

 

[roncoop75]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

This is a great post for new boaters and I think this should be stickied in an appropriate place.

I'll second that. I bought this last one for the Missouri river and had no idea what to do with a large wake other than sitting still with my bow into the wake and waiting for it to arrive. This thread gives me better options. Thx.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

Very good thread! Great question for those new to boats!

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

I boat on the Colorado and at Lake Havi-zoo. The largest wake I've I seen is about 3 feet. When I'm on plane and hitting 45 to 50 mph, I just drop the bow a tiny bit so the deep v cuts through the wakes and take em at 45 degrees.

My wife is preggo also..and she doesn't complain. NOW if I don't drop the bow..then I never hear the end of it. LOL!!

Seams to work fairly well when I have no choice but to go through a wake.

 

[QC]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

The 45 degree thing works well for a variety of conditions. Probably the most important use is for multiple very steep and high wakes. If you have to slow down to below planing speed, and crest the top of the first one at a 90 degree angle, you have a very real chance of sticking the bow into the second one (stuffing). This can be really bad. At a 45 the boat rolls more side to side, than fore to aft, and reduces the likelhod of getting under the next wake.

If you try this method at displacement speeds, be wary of going at too shallow of a degree, say 30 degrees. If the wake/wave is really steep, you can literally slide laterally back down the face which can be worse than stuffing one . . .

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

Practice practice practice. Know your boat. Look for times when it's safe to go over a big wake and do it several times. Then when you have a boat full of screamie meemies you can take it like a pro.

Keep in mind you have a slower recovery with passengers in the bow than when it's just you.

 

[Philster]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

This is the prime reason to have power to match the load, or power to spare: Big a-- waves/wakes. Steering is part of the deal, but lacking sufficient power and a firm 'snap' from the engine/drive, you are very vulnerable.

Over serious stuff, I do come down below plane, but just below it. The bow wave you create will keep your bow up on something buoyant: water.

The next wave and the wave frequency and how that works for you are issues that are going to run through your brain as you finish off wave number one. Some angle is likely to be needed, lest you point the bow right into the next wave or two. There are only rules of thumb, since you have to know how fast your bow is going to react to throttle input.

I know some folks who endanger themselves because they refuse to have the hull 'slam', so they makes all these weird gyrations and navigate in odds ways to roll over everything, only to leave themselves in a very prone situation. Please, be careful. Sometimes you come down firm/hard for safety, because you cannot roll over every wave such that they are practically hitting you from the side.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

Did anyone mention giving the large boat a bit wider berth so you're hitting its wake after it has died down a bit?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

A died-down wake from a loaded freighter is still right big, and if rolling into the wind, can stand up very steep. Most of the itme when I get surprised by a "rogue wave" I find a ship nearby. Narrow waters and crowded conditions limit your options. Therefore it is more important to master the wakes than to avoid them.

So while your solution is obvious, it is not always available.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

The largest wake I've I seen is about 3 feet. When I'm on plane and hitting 45 to 50 mph, I just drop the bow a tiny bit so the deep v cuts through the wakes and take em at 45 degrees.

You seriously think you're taking 3 foot wakes at 45-50 MPH in a 20' boat?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Best way to cross an oncoming wake from a LARGE boat

WFO and trimmed till she's float'n. Just be sure to hang on.LOL .