best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

[glenn property of pam]

im getting real tired of the lake where i fish. the outer cannel is maybe 150' wide same as the cut coming into the no wake zone thats marked by posts so theres room to over take but its gets nuts at times.

Running back in at 35mph (my boat is 45mph max) i get passed by 5 bass boats all running 70mph plus in less than half a mile to the no wake zone. I know that they can so they do but the there bow wakes are not comfortable to cross as you are unable to turn into it as another boat is already trying to over take. Having boats pass with in 30' at twice your speed and being unable to adjust course has got to the point that takes the fun out of traving to where you are fishing and its becoming more of a dreaded part of the day. So im considering installing a reverse camera on the back corner of the transom that way i can just pull over and let the idiots pass rather than having to look over my shoulder to try spotting where the idiots are trying to pass. (nothing new with one going either side of you at the same time)

 

[NYBo]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

A ski mirror would be cheaper and more reliable.

ski mirror - iboats

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

sounds like bass holes

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

Get some hull numbers and call the FL water cops. Passing within 30' is most likely a violation. There might not be a speed limit, but there sure are safely laws. If you get a cam, try to get one that records.

 

[Ned L]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

Also keep in mind that in an "overtaking situation" (them overtaking you) they are the burdened vessel and you are the stand on vessel , so you are obligated to hold course and speed (once they are close enough for the situation to be addressed).

 

[oldjeep]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

What kind of boat do you have that you are noticing the wake that a Bass Boat puts out at 70mph?

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

What kind of boat do you have that you are noticing the wake that a Bass Boat puts out at 70mph?

i have a stratos bass boat. the bow wakes are not large but there sideways. if i could turn in just a little to reduce them to 45-60 degrees then they no real problem. Staying in a straight line the boat rocks side to side as it crosses them

 

[bonz_d]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

Or you could wait and be the last one off the water!

 

[Thalasso]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

Instead of trying to cross the wake, move the direction of the wake. It will decrease in size and then you turn into it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

OR find out what time weigh in is and avoid coming in then

 

[bonz_d]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

OR find out what time weigh in is and avoid coming in then

Yup! 1st off or last off. Don't get caught in the middle!

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

Yup! 1st off or last off. Don't get caught in the middle!

thats sound advice. i know by the ammount of fancy trailers that they are having a competition so i should try to avoid the weigh in. Other than that pulling over for 20 mins will work.
Due to the width of the channel i can not turn out then cross back in over the wake. If you ride in the middle of the channel then they will pass both side of you at the same time and then the water is real messy as you catch the bow wakes as they join. The boat doesnt seem to mind the wakes and handles it well. I dislike the wakes as the boat rocks side to side so im more worried it will catch and turn into the path of another overtaking boat.
blipping the throttle just before hitting the wake seems to work is that the right way to ride over them?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

Another tactic. Keep your head on a swivel and keep watch behind you. When you see a group coming on turn to the other side of the channel and head back into them to get behind them. At least that way you'll be head on instead of them crawling up your rear end!

 

[JoLin]

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

blipping the throttle just before hitting the wake seems to work is that the right way to ride over them?

Taking a wake on the beam/stern quarter is tricky, and I don't think there's a 'right' way to do it. Depends on the boat and size of the wake. You're method seems to work for you, so just continue doing it. The 'blip' is probably pushing the bow up and decreasing the amount of boat in contact with the water when the crest of the wake hits you. I wouldn't advise it if the passing boats were pushing big wakes, as it'd be too easy to lose control.

Everytime I hear these stories and see pics of crowded waterways, I'm just SO happy that I'm a saltwater guy. Fishing tournaments here produce a lot of get-the-eff-out-of-my-way traffic, too, but the 'high speeds' are much slower and there's plenty of room for everybody.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: best way to cross bow wakes with out the option to turn into it

easy. get a bigger boat. Or one designed for waves that size (and bass boats on a plane are tiny waves).

I'm serious. you have to have a boat for your conditions, man-made and natural. No one (who knows boating) would use a bass boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

However, if the other bass boats can handle it, so can you. No boater should demand perfect conditions for his tastes all the time.