Crossing a Wave/Wake

[ken52]

I run into the Gulf where I boat. When crossing another boats wave/wake comming in from the opposite direction is it best to cross the wave/wake at like a 45 or 90 degree angle? Also is it better/safer to stay on plane or slow it down to let the stern squat down into the water? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kenny

 

[Bumpus7]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

I run into the Gulf where I boat. When crossing another boats wave/wake comming in from the opposite direction is it best to cross the wave/wake at like a 45 or 90 degree angle? Also is it better/safer to stay on plane or slow it down to let the stern squat down into the water? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kenny

I could depend on how big, and what kind of boat you have etc.


bumpus
.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

Conventional wisdom says you want to try and cross the wake of an oncoming boat at a 45 deg. angle.

You generally want to slow down, but how much is a matter of experience. There are a lot of variables. If the wake is from a small runabout I don't slow at all- as the oncoming boat's wake gets bigger and the trough deeper I adjust speed accordingly. Sometimes I need to slow enough to come off plane entirely, sometimes not.

The goal, of course is to keep from scaring the h*ll out of you and your passengers.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

I dont know if I have the technically correct answer....but I have crossed a million wakes like that....and it is a very dynamic thing..but up on plane could be dangerous at some point....depending on the size of the wake.....

I run into harbors a lot and even though it is a no wake zone the oyster boats have enough draft to throw some big wakes even if they are only going 10 mph( technically speeding though) and i usually throttle back and address them at least at some angle depending on the size...

if you back off the throttle too much and really raise the bow and take in full on at 90 degrees you could dangerously lift the bow way way too much possibly.

of course if you have a really big deep boat your worries are much smaller than a smaller boats.

how big is your boat?

I have at times stayed up on plane and rolled over smaller wakes out in the open water....if the water is otherwise calm there is less dnager if it is choppy that is not a good idea


bob

 

[Mark42]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

More on crossing wake:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=315362

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

Ken, Large wakes require you to slow down, and cross at a 60-75* angle. Just off of 90*. Small wakes do not require you to do anything. I routinely allow them to cross under the hull, side to side, as does everyone, whether they realize it or not.

It is really about relative size of the wake and type and speed of the hull.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

In a small flat boat, or bayliner-types with a dropped bow, if you slow too much you might submarine through the wave and swamp. A lot depends on your load, too; if you have 4 adults in the bow of the bow rider it's a different thing. there is just no substitute for experience in these things, and sometimes you can't cross the way you want. Practice all angles.

 

[AquaCruz]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

Ken, Large wakes require you to slow down, and cross at a 60-75* angle. Just off of 90*. Small wakes do not require you to do anything. I routinely allow them to cross under the hull, side to side, as does everyone, whether they realize it or not.

It is really about relative size of the wake and type and speed of the hull.

+1


Not at 90

 

[ken52]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

Thanks to all for the advice.

My boat is a ProLine 21 WAC probably loaded to 3300lbs. It has a pretty deep vee so I'm assuming it's not a planning hule but not sure.

The reason behind my question was that sometimes I try to turn into the wave at the last minute then turn back to original course. Sometime I don't feel anything and times I do. These are normally other equal size boats running on plane in the channel back to the docks or wherever.

I'll need to pay more attention on how I crossing them. Thanks again for all the input and experieence.

Kenny

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

Ken, Your boat is a planing hull, and should be pretty seaworthy. if a wake is less than 12", you can likely ignore it.

Remember on the big wakes, hit them at slow speed, just off of head on, and you usually will go up over the first one, and down thru the second one. This pattern repeats itself after that.

 

[ken52]

Re: Crossing a Wave/Wake

Thanks Chris, not that familar with hulls.