How to fight a big wave?

[Ledif7]

I got and old boat and took it to the water the other day. There was a big ship and I saw a big wave coming towards me. I scared and hit the trottle and started running to the shore. Whats is the safest way to fight a wave? putting the boat front, side or rear from the wave?

 

[wonko]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

I don't claim to be an expert, but I prefer to hit them head on. To me it seems that that is the way a boat is constructed and the purpose of the bow is to handle that situation. I'd be interested in other comments as well.

 

[DJ]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

LED,<br /><br />Typically, head on is the best way. Reduce speed and keep the bow as high as possible.<br /><br />Running to shore can cause other problems. That wave is going to get there eventually. Being too close to shore sets you up to: 1. be swamped. 2. be washed aground.

 

[crab bait]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

i find takin' it on at a 45 % angle is the best.. iam always fightin' huge wakes on the chesapeake ... after gettin' the snot knock'd out ya .. somtimes i learn..

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

djohns tells the good info as always.<br />i'm only posting to add:<br />if you're not sure how to 'get the bow up', then by all means practice this before you might run into heavy waves again - which you surely will.<br />

 

[12Footer]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

I've allways been told to hit them head-on,and try to time speed to the crests,if multiple, as in a boat wake.<br />You've seen the movie, "Perfect Storm"? that's a bit extreme, but it works.<br />I have been in situations with large boat wake breaching my bow at idle speed..I didn't expect that.I took-on about 80 gallons in one glub.<br />But the 45degree angle thing seems to work better, if you don't have the time or room to bring the bow head-on,and jump a wake.<br />I have to do this a lot in the river here.

 

[DJ]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

ebbtide,<br /><br />You got it right. If you have power trim, running the motor trim "out" or "up" to its maximum trim level will help you accomplish the bow up attitude.

 

[rolmops]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

A question for those of you who fish in offshore waters.<br />To me it seems that the wake of especially the whale watch boats near P-town always comes in at a different angle from the regular waves that often will reach two or three feet height.And whenever I fish off Race Point those cricrossing waves really throw me for a loop.My answer to the problem is called "Grady White " .But what should I do if I am out there in a 16 footer hooked on to a striper and one of those boats zooms by?

 

[Brento311]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

Hey, when I am in my 14' jon boat with the 9 1/2, I gun it and jump the wake head-on. Very often on the rivers here in MS, people will blast by you with 225 HP bass and ski boats, not even slowing down. I have gotten very used to getting over the wakes of big boats. It's something I have to do every time I go out on the river. I would say hitting it head on is the best way because if you try to head back, there's a chance the wave can turn your boat to the side and swamp or flip you. Thanks<br /><br />Brent

 

[bigbluebirdy]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

Definitely Brett...<br /><br />Full throttle and jump the sucker! <br /><br />Chris

 

[Hawkeye1]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

Head on is the only way to take a dangerous wave. We run rough inlets all the time with big waves in them. Could not imagine taking them at a 45. Also about 4 years ago we were out in 5 to 6'ers offshore and one huge rouge wave of atleast 20' came out of nowhere. You could see it comming for 1/4 mile. We took it straight on with some power to get up and over it. Headed to the barn after that one. Glad I seen it comming.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

I take them anywhere between head-on and 45 degrees. <br /><br />I only use the 45 degrees approach when the wave is tall and sharp - you effectively surf the wave like a surfboard - so you get a less violent up and down movement. If you think about it (wish I could do diagrams like Schematic!), 45 degrees gives you a more gradual slope, both up and down - if it's a steep wave...<br /><br />Just my 2 cents...

 

[Spidybot]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

Remember also, that different designs/hulls perform different.<br /><br />Make sure you excercise to learn how YOUR boat copes. It's a matter of boat length, wave size and distance between waves. Even a matter of waves on waves (when the sea waves has one direction and a passing vessel makes new waves in a different direction).<br /><br />Always slow down but keep enough speed to control the boat and stay alert on steering and power.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

I don't beleive there is a truly set rule for all boats!<br /> I normally go into them at 45 to 90 deg.<br /> But the throttle control, is a split second decision,<br />i.e. sometimes I punch it! other times I back off.<br /> You read the water, know your boat, and sometimes hope for the best.

 

[Ledif7]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

Well, thanks for the advice I really needed it. I guess the best way is to face the waves is not to run. Next time I will face then head on or on a 45 angle , but just in case I will have my life best on, thanks

 

[12Footer]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

one caution about 45degree attack!I forgot to mention, Do it slowly,so as not to flip.If you hit a large wake at 45geg on plane,the bow will ride-up the aproach,and try to "jump" it sideways..Ungood.<br />Best to get off of plane,if you don't have time or room to head into the wake at a right angle.<br />You'll also have to correct the helm afterwards, as you would after turning-into one,but not as extreme.<br />Never try to take one on broadside.

 

[RJS]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

Balls to the walls and cross your fingers

 

[Hawkeye1]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

I thought we were talking about a dangerous wave. In my 20 and 23'er i take most any which way but a truely dangerous wave I take head on. If you take a huge wave at a 45 the wave can push the bow over to set you beam to for the next one. Not a good situation beam to. I got caught in a storm one time where it went from flat calm to 12'+ seas in 30 min. Had winds recorded 10 miles away of over 70 mph for 30 min, over 60 for 2 hrs and a gale for 2 days. We had to run 12 miles head on to get to port. Every now and then the wind and waves would push the bow over and I had to really fight to get her back straight. Angle was defently not a option. I was praying the whole time nothing would break down. I was in a 20' Grady wac. My dad was with me and said he was glad we were on my boat and not his 26' pacemaker. Only broke the vhf antenna and shaved a few years off my life. 7 boats went down in the area that day. Freak wind storm with no rain. It was a Sat. Memoral day weekend about 1988 or so on the cheasapeak bay. Never will forget that.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

I think head-on is the most "universally correct" way to fight a big wave - definitely NOT side-on.<br /><br />45 degrees works well on some boats in some conditons - but that's a call the skipper must make based on experience and knowledge of his/her own boat.<br /><br />Boat speed and acceleration is important, just like a car taking a sharp corner. You want to slow down before taking the wave (if you were going fast) and then accelerate through it.<br /><br />Do it the wrong way, and you'll certainly know better next time....

 

[crab bait]

Re: How to fight a big wave?

with all due respect .... we are talkin' about ' wakes ".. the poster,, LED,, talked about a big ship caused big wave .. layman for big wake .. if there's any cottonpickin' thing that i know in this world is fightin' big wakes in my handbuilt 16 foot center console on the chesapeake bay is that for me an i reckon other smaller boats ,, is that takin' big wakes on HEAD on will knock the livin' snot out of me cause they come in 3's opposed to takin' them on at a 45 % angle. i just slip rite over them like a surfboard... like i said ... i did them both ways .. an for me 45 % is the best ...