[vinmega]

Hi, I bought a boat last year and recently got into boating on the Hack. I have a 14ft alum starcraft v hull (56in berm) with a 20hp on it. It moves pretty good. I have a question:
When taking on the wake from larger boats I usually aim for the waves and 'hop' them. I have also let the wake from a passing boat hit me broadside as I am going forward and it kind of hoped side to side on the wake. Whats a good strategy for taking on large wakes?
Also, that river changes its mind very fast when the wind and tide is right. On windy days I get blown all over, should I put some cinderblocks in the front of the boat on solo excursions? Just looking for some boat handing tips for my little tin duck banger/cruiser.
Thanks,
Vince

 

[deadeye]

Definitely turn into the waves vs let them hit you sideways. They could roll you if a large boat goes by.

Did you get the boating safety course? If not yet bring a list of questions. Chapman's piloting and seamanship is a good read.

 

[johncol123]

Angle into the waves not straight into them and keep asking questions their are alot of people that are dangerous out there good luck

 

[Ram Rod]

Like john said, angel into the wave.

 

[Fun N Guns]

45 degree angle into wave[up]

 

[topneck]

should I put some cinderblocks in the front of the boat on solo excursions?

A couple of sand bags may be better.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Wear a PFD!

 

[Cyanide02Z06]

Slow down and hit them at a 45 angle.

 

[bill43]

Good advice above. When it comes to boats the only dumb question is the one your afraid to askBetter to take a little ridiculing than wind up dead. Good luck

 

[hammer4reel]

the only dumb question is one that isnt asked.


keeping the bow of the boat deeper in the water will def help you while drifting keeping a truer track . another thing you can do is use a wind sock and tie it acordingly to how you need the boat to drift.

whale tails added to the smaller motors also make them alot more stable on the water too

 

[deerassassin21]

Go on a 45[up]

 

[Northernhunter]

And another simple thing to add is make sure you write down where you are planning to go, what time you expect to return, description of boat. Give this to a responsible person. You never know when you might have an emergency or run into engine trouble. At least people will know where to start looking. Although we have cell phones, it's still important to let people know.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[makosnax]

Full throttle,head on. See how much air you can get!
[rofl][rofl][rofl]
J/k 45degrees[up]

 

[split brow]

Full throttle,head on. See how much air you can get!

[ko]

thats funny. its not a jet ski haha

yea angle into them u will b fine. if a large boat blows by u from your stern and your not anchored but kinda just driftin or something and have the ability to turn around real quick id spin it around. and if you are anchored up in a traffic area let out extra line. wake can get big and if your anchor is bit deep and u dont have enuf slack it will hold the bow down when the wake comes and could bring on alot of water. make sure u have enough line out...

 

[duck slayer424]

Bow into the wave hammerdown I know your donzi will handle

 

[vinmega]

Duckslayer, I cant ride your wake..so I have to hop it!
Thanks for the good advice everyone. I appreciate it.
I think I got it, but just wanted to make sure I was doing the right/safe thing.

Much appreciated.

 

[yackman]

Put a bigger motor on it and let them deal with your wake.

 

[makosnax]

If you take it at an angle you are taking the long way over it, much less violent

 

[vinmega]

Makosnax, I actually enjoy full throttle and seeing how much air I can get!!!

 

[Devildog]

45 45 45 and slow slow slow !