what is the correct way to take a wake

[Texasmark]

Re: what is the correct way to take a wake

The stylish drop-down nose and scoop of the popular bow riser is unseaworthy.

First time I saw one of those designs was a Sea Ray back in the late '60's. It just happened to be on a closed bow with a long foredeck and windshield. Even at that I cringed and my first thought was lack of sea worthiness especially if the deck/WS were smaller.

I know why they do it (see over the bow during hole shots/slow cruising/wakeboarding), but it sucks in open water in my opinion. Ever see an offshore fisherman that looks like that? Probably not, but I bet you see a lot of high, or at least straight bow lines with a lot of them having a nice flare for wave deflection.

Down here in Texas, the wind is always blowing and if the water is of any size the waves are always large and you can't go around the corner to a cove to get out of it, the wind follows you. It blows S-N in the main part of a lake and W-E in the arms/coves.

Mark

 

[mrdancer]

Re: what is the correct way to take a wake

...

Never "throw it into reverse" unless you are replacing your lower unit that day.

.../QUOTE]

OK, poor choice of words on my part, as I would never "throw" it into reverse. I should have said "ease it into reverse".

I think the key part of the technique, which I neglected to mention, is to try to match the speed of the wake, or about 0.5-mph hour slower (to be pedantic). You get a nice gentle rocking of the boat, and if done correctly, very little water rise on the freeboard. It does require a good reliable engine with good reliable reverse and that you know your boat.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: what is the correct way to take a wake

unfortunately there are SO many variables that you really can't break it down to a simple 'do this in this situation, and do that in that situation'. You really need to use good judgement (be conservative to start with) and get out there and practice over time, learn, and gain experience.
As a contrast to the 'generality' of crossing a wake at 45?, I know that with the boat I 'have fun in' these days, that 45? at anything from about 1/3 throttle on up will likely result in being thrown out of the boat.

x2. Probably should have come off plane and kept the bow up in the Op's situation. Error on safety until you know how to handle different waves.......

 

[25thmustang]

Re: what is the correct way to take a wake

I do my best to slow a bit and hit the wake at an angle that gets me over quickly without much roll, or much slamming. A small boat wake I won't pay much attention to, but a larger one this is my strategy.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: what is the correct way to take a wake

First time I saw one of those designs was a Sea Ray back in the late '60's. It just happened to be on a closed bow with a long foredeck and windshield. Even at that I cringed and my first thought was lack of sea worthiness especially if the deck/WS were smaller.

I know why they do it (see over the bow during hole shots/slow cruising/wakeboarding), but it sucks in open water in my opinion. Ever see an offshore fisherman that looks like that? Probably not, but I bet you see a lot of high, or at least straight bow lines with a lot of them having a nice flare for wave deflection.

Down here in Texas, the wind is always blowing and if the water is of any size the waves are always large and you can't go around the corner to a cove to get out of it, the wind follows you. It blows S-N in the main part of a lake and W-E in the arms/coves.

Mark

I'm with you; when I first saw them I couldn't believe it either--why would they make them and who would buy them? The answer is that to some people (I guess) they look cool and they don't mind sacrificing safety over style. Like when they take a pick-up truck and drop it to 2" clearance.
On a perpetually glass lake it may not matter. I don't go there so I don't know. But what you and I see, and scratch our heads, is people taking them onto open water where it does matter. Fishermen, offshore or inshore, are better boaters and know better. Whwen striper season madness hits here, all kinds of unsuitable boats show up in cold open choppy water at night.