Re: How to handle wakes from large boats...
Let me clarify--he was in the large swells near the beach, behind a jetty--not rolling surf. However, I have seen plenty of wakes that were like surf and plenty of surf that's like wakes. Some wakes pile up fast enough over wind, current, an obverse wake, to break at the top.
I've crossed many a wake broadside--I call it "sidestepping" because I carefully work my way up one side then slide down the other. It can be very smooth--but it takes timing, practice, and familiarity with your boat. When I run a cross-wind, I often run the troughs--my boat can find one and practically drive itself. Then I sidestep over a few to stay on course.
But for the general information we hand out here to the inexperienced, I don't think it's a good idea to present broad-siding as a standard option; the 20* angle seems to be the best all around and basic starting point.
Another point: some of the container ships around here throw up a big wake that appears miles away from the boat--you never know it went by. Particularly scary at night. So keep an eye out for vessels passing in the distance, too.
