Crossing a wake

J

jmeirhofer

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On our trip back we were crossing the Chesapeake and came across a huge cargo ship. He had to be doing at least 15k and I could see through the binocs that he was through a huge, huge wake. The wake was breaking about 400 yards or so from the boat the best I could tell. Anyway, my question is, how do you deal with it as far a crossing it. As it turned out we turned on a point and so did he and wound up opposite directions so I did not have to find out but the wake looked to be at least 6' if not more. I know it has to be a regular occurance out there and there are a ton of smaller fishing boats out on the bay. I just have not had the issue to date.
 
When faced with a big wake, slow down, below planing speed, and head into it.
The worst thing you can do is let it hit you from the stern.
 
when in my ski boat, if I head directly into a large wave at idle the wake will come right over the bow. I take it at 30degrees or so off direct and do not get wet. Also, if you can get in between idle and plane, your bow will be higher
 
quote:
Originally posted by getakey

when in my ski boat, if I head directly into a large wave at idle the wake will come right over the bow. I take it at 30degrees or so off direct and do not get wet. Also, if you can get in between idle and plane, your bow will be higher

Click to expand...


I was just getting ready to edit my response about having enough speed to get the bow pointed up some.
Some people do prefer to hit the wave at some angle. Me, I prefer head on so the boat doesn't rock so much.
A lot depends on the boat and size wave. In your big Trojan, it would take a big wave to come over your deck.
 
i ve met many large ships on the Chesie or Del and i have never seen a 6' wake. was it breaking over shallow water like all wakes do?

how to handle a wake depends on the shape of the wake and your boat. I prefer taking them at an angle to avoid the slamming, usually i find better to take them straight on the stern but again it depends on the boat. We do get into many wakes when sailing our 12' catboat on the bay...
 
I've never seen a commercial ship in the Chesapeake throw off a wake that big and/or breaking, even at full speed. Usually the aft-cabin bow-up captains throw off bigger wakes. As Pascal said, it must have been breaking over a shole. Regardless, slow down and float over it. I take them at head on in my cat, but most mono hulls I believe like to put a little angle into it.
 
You will discover that his wake breaks in the SHALLOWS, and that's NOT where you want to be. Closer to the ship (in the channel) it's not nearly as bad as the water is deeper, even though you might be only be 25 yards from the ship.

Otherwise take the waves more-or-less end-on and at SLOW speed as mentioned above. Scariest situation is when you are overtaking the ship, when you can't slow down and still pass.
 
By my estimate looking at the chart the wat was probably 20 or 30 foot where it looked like it was breaking. Since I lost my camera this trip all I have is a crppy cell phone pick but you can see the break.

edit: you have to plug those darn laptops in once in awhile or they just shut off. Here is the picture.

DSCN0348.jpg


As I said, I would guess it was at least 6' but then I am new at this so it could have been less. Through the binoculars it did seem awefully huge and I would not have wanted to test it out in my bowrider.
 
As with all other waves, the best approach is
25 to 45 degs from head on using the slowest
displacement speed that still gives you full
rudder authority.
 
Looking at the PA Boating Handbook "When crossing waves or another boat’s wake, head into the waves or wakes at an angle (45 degrees) to reduce pounding." Whether that would apply to a 6 footer, I don't know. I never had to go thru one anywhere near that size.
 
I take them at a 45. I have been in some nasty conditions I have yet to have that boat pound. Splash the helm heck yea but never pound it's a beautiful thing. You are in a whole new world with that boat that rules have not changed (in other words don't push your luck and do something stupid) but the comfort will blow you away.
 
Very hard to tell wave height in photos. I'd guess 2-3 from what I can see. Still, not normal for them to be breaking off a ship being it's a displacement hull. What lighthouse is that so I can check my charts for what it's marking and where it's located?

Now if you want to see some BIG WAVES from passing ships, get a slip at Tolchester Marina north of Rock Hall and sit at their outside bar near the beach. The ships are only a few hundred yards off the beach in the channel and the waves roll up on the beach. Those get pretty big. And besides, it's a nice little old-time marina with very good crab cakes and a nice pool.
 
Kurt - I left the charts at the boat but if I remember it had wolf in the name. There were two we passed, this one was red and the other white.
 
The few I have encountered we slowed down below planing speed and took them anywhere from a 45 to 30 degree angle. Never have run into a 6' wake but we were in 8-10 foot confused seas. I couldn't get the boat back into the bay fast enough.
Bill
 
It all depends on your boat/yacht/ship. Sometimes one must protect the cargo from unnecesary jolting . Other situations can be more favorable. I agree with earlier respnses to slow to comfortable maneuvering speed and cross the wake at a reasonable angle off the bow--perhaps 30-40 degrees. Planning and announcing your intentions to the crew helps.
 
Deep sea fishing gives you plenty of big wave action.
The NW part of Puerto Rico is famous for confused seas.
There I have seen confused 8-10 footers and they are
extremely tiring to handle specially after some hours.
The West side is famous for 10-15 even higher waves, but
luckily they are parallel and the period is long, which
gives you time to catch your breath and prepare for the
next one. As long as you are under power and have rudder
authority, the 45 deg approach is doable and saves your
stringers from oblivion. ALWAYS carry a water anchor in
case your engines quit.
When you start to see the peak of the waves at your
same eye level on a flying bridge, it is time to go home.
H

PS: Did I tell you the story of this Captain, 50 miles out on
10 foot seas, all guests
green and close to mutiny, the radio crackling with
"Please cancel the tournament!! The weather is too bad"
requests.
Meanwhile the Capt. with a beer on one hand and a sandwich
on the other while steering with his knee asked "What is the
problem?? " :-)
 
When I come across a big wake I slow to just above no wake speed. Take it head on and I raise the trim so the bow is brought up in the air then speed up just a touch. This keeps the bow up and the water out.
 
Okay, so to change the question a bit. What about overtaking a wake like this?
 
again depends a lot on boat size. In my small ski boat, I would power up going the wake and then get off the throttle at the top to slide down on the other side. However, the ski boat has quick throttle response.
That said, never encountered a 6' wake.
 
Overtaking a wave is a whole different ballgame.
Some boats just can't do it easily and they
require tip top reflexes and a very good Captain.
H
 
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