What's your technique for crossing BIG wakes?

[RonKMiller]

After having submerged my bow several times crossing wakes on my recent 175 mile journey - including my own - I've determined there has GOT to be a better way.

My technique was to simply turn and approach it at a right angle, cut the throttle to idle, and let it slam into me. I spent a LOT of time turning instead of going in a straight line! When you're trying to cover long distances it gets annoying.

I did notice that regular speed boats did the same thing, but seemed to accelerate at the last moment before the wake hit them in order to get the nose up, but man, the impact doing that is impressive. On a good day I can only get the nose on my boat up 12 inches anyway.

So, what's the secret? A Law's rocket?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWEu8AEdUyA

My wife and dog are getting PO'd at my helmsman ship - water breaking on top of the couch is apparently not acceptable!

[Ron Burgundy]

I used to slow down when I was getting familiar with my boat, but now I maintain my speed and take the wakes at a 45 degree angle. I do get splashing sometimes, but not too bad.

How big are you talking?

[RonKMiller]

I used to slow down when I was getting familiar with my boat, but now I maintain my speed and take the wakes at a 45 degree angle. I do get splashing sometimes, but not too bad.

How big are you talking?

A solid three feet from trough to crest. This is the culprit that literally makes me cringe - a heavily laden tour boat.

Somehow it doesn't look all that large in this picture but I'm sure it's capable of carrying a hundred passengers:

tour boat.jpg (78.45 KiB) Viewed 5348 times

[OldePharte]

I guess a lot will depend upon your boat. Here at LOTO I found that I need to hit the big wakes head-on at least 1/3 or more throttle. On a busy weekend, the old 'toon travels twice as far as it should, being that I need to make a number of 90 degree turns to keep my crew dry.

If I can't take them head on, I'll go into the rollers and take the huge rocking motion.

For all you old timers, our holiday weekend boat rides are deffinately an E-ticket ride.

[oldmn19]

We are lucky here on Kerr in NC, only the occasional big deep V boat that doesn't belong on inland water, LOL. About the biggest waves we face are maybe 2 ft high. Those I take a 45 degree angle at normal speed mostly. I feel sorry for you, and happy for us!

[GregF]

The worst wakes I see are those guys in 26' deck boats who give you the "courtesy slowdown" where they slow to just about the worst possible plow and then smile and wave like you will appreciate the shower you get when the bow goes under.

[cbavier]

I hit one straight on with our pontoon when a speed boat went around me and I didn't have time to react. Water rushed over 3/4 of the deck and I sure didn't like that. Everybody got wet. I always slow down and try to catch the wake on a 45degree angle. Sometimes the nose will still dive a little if the other boat comes to close or goes by close at WOT. But on the 45 dg angle is the best way.

[smltooner]

I maintain my speed and take the wakes at a 45 degree angle. I do get splashing sometimes, but not too bad.

That is exactly what I do.

[badmoonrising]

Same here.

[bassn386]

When we took a test drive in a Bennington almost the same as ours (two 25" outside logs and a 32" elliptical center log) the sales guy said to not slow down for the big wakes. Keep your speed up and approach at anywhere from a 45 to 90 degree angle.
Since I've become more familiar (and comfortable) with my toon, that's exactly what I do. At 3,000 rpm and above, I usually have the O/B trimmed up so the bow is already raised up a bit. I just head into the wake and, so far, have not had any water in the boat as a result.
I know what you are talking about because the same thing happened to me in our '93 Suncruiser. Slowed down when a big boat went by all dirty and wound up with water all the way to the helm. Our youngest granddaughter at the time was just a baby and she and her momma got quite a dunking.
My neighbor who owns a 24' Sundancer pontoon says he just loves riding on our Benny because it takes the rough water so much better.

[RonKMiller]

OK, thanks for all the input - it seems like my technique should be approach it at 45 degree angle - NOT 90 like I've been doing, and keep up some speed to "plow" through it instead of slowing down and letting it have its way with me. The hell with the roll, its better than getting smacked upside your fore head.

In aviation we are taught that when we encounter severe turbulence to slow down - A LOT - or risk literally ripping the wings off. Old habits die hard!

I remember the very FIRST big one I encountered after 10 straight days on the water - and I could see it coming from a loooong way off. It looked tiny until it got within about 20 feet or so. Then I thought "my *** is grass*.

I'll bet everyone ever caught watching a Tsunami standing on a beach felt the same way.

[dockholiday]

I stop open a beer and wait for it to pass........you will learn to appreciate waves doing this...
doc

[Bryden24shp]

I stop open a beer and wait for it to pass........you will learn to appreciate waves doing this...

Gonna try this, I can see I'm going to need a bigger cooler for the Lake of the Ozarks!

When I get into the huge waves at the lake, I'll trim up and quarter it (45 degree angle)
with the bow up and almost into the wave I throttle up and climb over it. After the boat settles in, I'll pull back on the throttle. If you pull back to quickly after taking the first one, you'll loose the bow and spear the second. Did it once in my 27' Baja at a poker run, my co-pilot and I had to lean to the windshield to take a breath. The girls in the back of the boat were drenched, but still there. I learned he hard way! From expirience!
Nice thing about most tritoons and lots of ponies, you can make the boat work for you.
(Manny #1 is still for sale, if your really tired of getting wet)

[RonKMiller]

I stop open a beer and wait for it to pass........you will learn to appreciate waves doing this...
doc

Perhaps you would enjoy THIS:

http://www.wimp.com/freestylecanoeing/

Fast forward to about 1:20, turn up the volume and ROCK OUT!!

[Ron Burgundy]

Ron, here is another technique you can try.