Jamato14

Been going back and forth on sharing but thought it’s a good reminder for all especially to remind passengers who don’t have much experience on boats and a close call could have been much worse so if it helps even 1 other than it’s worth it.

Two weekends ago had a friend on board who doesn’t have a bunch of experience but has been on my boat now for a total of about 10 hours. First day, first thing I tell new passengers is no moving while boats underway and 3 points of contact at all times whether running or fishing. Well coming through a crowded river entrance, with some small boats (<15 ft Jon boats) jigging for bait I was following a lobster boat in, keeping distance to not swamp the small boats. Once we passed the crowd I went to get outside the wake of the lobster boat, backed down a little and raised the bow up but had to go fast enough ~15-17 kts to keep plane, get out of the wake. Channel is plenty wide, it’s used for large tankers so I wasn’t too close to others or getting out of the channel. So first wave of the wake was fine then I came down onto the second and the bow hit (didn’t burry it, took no water over the bow but landed it on the back side of the next wake). I was standing driving and had no issues but my friend was sitting and didn’t expect the bump and fell off the seat (she wasn’t holding on). Luckily no injuries just a scary experience seeing someone fall like that.

1. I know as a the captain safety is my responsibility, and it definitely scared me a little having it happen, anything I could have done different besides not pass the lobster boat for the 6 mile trip up river which would have meant going on and off plane with boats behind me too?

2. Should I have said, hold on this might get a little bumpy? I made the assumption that she was aware at all times be holding on and I said I’m going to pass this guy, that was a mistake on my part for not reassuring to hold on.

3. How often do you remind newish people to the boating world that you have to hold on and expect the unexpected (sharp turn to avoid something submerged, going out of a wake etc)?

Thought I’d share as a reminder to all things happen quick and you have to be prepared and remind passengers to be prepared as well.

SSN651

I always call out, "Wakey Wakey" in circumstances like that. People unfamiliar with boating may not realize the effect a wake would have on the ride. First time I say it I add "hold on" and thereafter they understand what I mean.

IMPLiberty

Experienced on boats or not, I let my passengers know if a wake is coming, or I’m coming into one that will toss them around.

I had one when running my 34’ Silverton. There was a very large boat going the other way and it had to be throwing a 5-6’ wake (plowing speed). I wanted everyone in the cabin, slowed to hit it right but it didn’t matter. There was some horrible screams from below so I instantly throttle down to check... some items had fallen and the women on board decided screaming was the best bet. I had to let them know not to scream unless we had an emergency. Boats are not your living room!

Gary999

Back off the damn throttle. Ease through it further back. Driver's fault 100%. Yelling "hang on" broke a friends son's back. No excuse.

Inscrutable

I do always warn passengers, and tell to hold on every time. But I also back down off plane if it’s a big wake, and try to cross after it calms and I can take it further away, then get outside and back on plane to pass. I know that might be hard in a crowded setting, and I just bide my time.
Glad things weren’t worse, and thanks for posting ... always something to learn here, and nothing more important than safety.

SweetD

Yeah you sometimes have to throttle back to get through the larger wakes. Not worth slamming down with people on board especially if they are not aware.

Stickbo

Yup I always give a little warning if there is a wake or a different size wave. I don't make a big deal about it just a simple "hang on".

BSL

Funny story here, My Dad, Mom, and I many years ago would go trout fishing out of Mayport, Fl. launch ramp. Now you need to know that my Mom as blessed on top. So one trip my dad was in a hurry getting to our fishing spot. He ALWAYS said "hold on" when he was crossing wakes and such. So on this trip all was normal really, wakes and stuff causing the "hold on" call, one rather large roller, Dad makes his call and right after the bow hits, Mom starts screaming. Dad cuts the engine and we look over at Mom only to see her breasts flopping in the breeze! She is yelling, "my bra straps broke!". We couldn't stop laughing. From then on, Dad would yell "hold on to your bra straps" for the wakes. Mom would cross her arms under her breasts, "to hell with holding on" she would say. We got great laughs out of that for years, and I still do.

fields

LOL.... I, sure mom loves that story being told... LoL

fireisland1

I never understand why people just don’t back off the throttle.

wdlfbio

Isn’t 15-17 knots pretty much backed off the throttle? I would give warning too, though.

fireisland1

‘that’s my cruise speed.

gregb5220

There are seriously people here that go thru large wakes at 15-17 knots? What did you think would happen overtaking someone at that speed? Secondly, you should always inform your passengers about any significant wave you might cross.

CaptnJuff

Threads like this help people learn boating safety. Jumping all over people makes them not want to post threads like this.
If you're on the water enough, this will happen. Ive done it. I didn't see the wave coming at my stern. You can't see every wave. Even the captains on deadliest catch miss them occasionally and the crew gets a ride in the washing machine.

tesilential

pics of mom?

Southern_breeze

You learned a valuable lesson. Don't forget it. Back off the throttle, especially if you are unsure of your vessel or how it will react to changing conditions.

gregb5220

Were not talking about fishing in the Bering Sea so I don't know what that has to do with anything. OP didn't hit a random wave, he caused the situation by overtaking another vessel and if they hit that hard that someone fell he was probably too close and obviously too fast. And unless it's night, you should have no problem seeing every wave. OP is asking what he should have done and two posters stated 15-17 knots was considered slowing down. Sorry if you feel I'm jumping on anyone, but that situation can turn real bad real bad real quick. You don't want to know the injuries I've seen from passengers getting tossed around in a boat due to an operator not running the boat safely.

Slowing down for a wake (not 15-17 knots) is absolute basic seamanship.

Onewolf

When you're passing/overtaking a boat that's moving at 15-17 kts (that's really slow unless you're in a trawler or sailboat) how do you pass them if you're not going.... faster? On the river if my desired cruising speed is 30kt and there's a big ass Sea Ray almost planed off plowing along at 15kt throwing a 4 foot wake then I let everyone know we're going to be surfing and to hang on tight for a minute until we get past the stupid Sea Ray. Take it as wide as possible and then up/over each wake. And then zoom zoom. Being stuck at 15kt for 20-30 miles of river is no bueno.

Brokenline

I think that you're making the assumption that everyone's wake is the same and everyone's boat is like the one you have, and everyone's boating conditions are like where you boat.

We don't all boat in NY.


To the OP, I often say "hold on". If you're typically a good captain, you're passengers are probably relaxed and not paying attention to the details. And all of us have negotiated a wake one way, and realized shortly after that we could've done it differently. Enjoy your boat!

uncljohn

My boat does the worst at a quartering from behind sea (rolls) and when overtaking that's exactly where you usually put the wake. Either hit it as flat to stern as possible, or back off and cut it further back in the wake. And slow down.