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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Sailboats make a big wake!

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bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/25/2006 : 13:10:48

We sail on a No Wake Lake. The other day a fisherman was complaining that us sailors do not follow the no wake rules and we need to slow down.

Barry

"Impulse"
79' C-25 SR/SK #1370

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2006 : 13:56:21

If your creating a wake, then you just might need to slow down -- or switch lakes

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2006 : 14:03:17

It is beyond my thinking that at 6 knots, you can make a wake. I will have to experiment this spring. Cheers.

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bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2006 : 14:03:33

I quess I'll slow down. It's a concept that will be hard to get used to.

Barry

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2006 : 22:47:43

Your boat will make a significant wake at 6 knots and above. Once .you get at and above hull speed of 6.3 knots the wake grows quickly. I've seen easy 1 foot wakes of Indiscipline including those stern wakes - the humps that fill in the bow wake in the area behind the boat. Check it out some day when you are motoring at high speed on an otherwise flat calm lake

Most no wake rules are not enforced against sailboats around here. But the "idle engine speed only" zones are.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 06:45:36

Sailing in Manatee areas here in south fla, there are lots of no wake zones. We normally motor JD at barely any throttle and roll along at a knot or 2. Of course, we get washed around by the smudge buckets as they fly past us.
We were advised by one gentleman skipper of a large dive boat: If we slow down to an idle, then they can slow down and still pass us, not creating such a large wake. But if we maintain a high speed (like 4knots) then they have to maintain a high speed to pass us. So we routinely slow down when a larger boat is coming up our rear. Sadly most folks don't know this concept, so they push there T handle forward and burn past us.
We just keep our speed reasonable, no wake when required, and watch out for the trekkies doing warp speeds.

Paul

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 07:04:27

Maybe it's that other brand of sailboat with their 50 hp Honda's. I'm sure the average fisherman can't tell the difference between that make and the rest of us...

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 07:48:36

I wouldn't slow down in that situation, unless the local lake rangers expect you to, but if you tack so that you keep more distance from the fishermen, your wake won't be such a problem for them. (Also, you might not be able to hear the swearing.)

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bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 09:11:11

These fisherman are spoiled. They could be on a lake with jetskis and waterskiers.
The man who made this complaint on a outdoor forum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully they get rid of the sail boats there all together,most disrespectful boaters I've ever seen in regards to how close they get to fishing boats and the wakes they create.

He failed let the rest of the forum know the this individual would anchor out on a 390 acre lake at night with no anchor light.

Barry

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 10:13:59

The first rule for all boaters should be, don't do anything that might create a hazard for anyone else. A 25' sailboat can create a wake big enough to swamp a small, low sided fishing boat or canoe, if we pass by him too close.

The second rule should be, don't do anything that is likely to annoy anyone else. If enough people complain about each other, the lake rangers will eventually be forced to make new regulations to solve the problem, and, when the government makes new regulations, nobody will like it. They could, for example, prohibit all sailboats over 18' in length.

The sailors and fishermen need to settle it between themselves, by being considerate of each other, and not let it get to the point where the government has to settle it.

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bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 10:54:48

You are absolutely correct on the safety aspects of boating. These occurances are rare. I couldn't agree with you more about avoiding govt intervention.
Our lake is undergoing improvements to correct the silting problem. The funds are coming from an Aquatic Habitat Program that is funded by the fish habitat stamp. The improvements include shoals and jetties that compromise sailing on an allready small lake. The sailing community is asking the the shoals be lowered and jetties shortend. The agencies involved want to serve the interests of all. Some sailors would like the fishing to go away, not gonna happen. Some fisherman want the sailing to go away especially since their improvements are funded by fisherman. The reality is that sailing and fishing coexist well compared to other types of boating. Fortunately the organization protecting sailing interests is doing it well and diplomatically.

Thanks for you insight, Barry

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 11:05:46

"... this individual would anchor out on a 390 acre lake at night with no anchor light. "

Hmmmm.... Rationally, on a 'no wake' lake, this doesn't seem like a huge hazard. I don't think it should be too difficult to spot and avoid a large white 25' boat while putting along at 4 mph.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3521 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 11:11:37

We have "no wake" zones on the upper Potomac. Normally, I consider that when I am on motor power but never gave it much thought when under sail power. I will have to consider that. But many times when I am going say 5knts or so, there is a some wind and wave motion on the Potomac to contend with and so whatever wake I produce seems to dissipate not all that far from my boat.

Interesting discussion I had with my friend the other day. He had a 19' motor boat and is just now getting a brand new Larsen 26'. Whenever we talked about getting together on the water, it turns out that just the weather (wind) that I would be heading out is just the conditions that he decides not to go out. Once the wind is 10mph or greater, he and his family tend to not go out because when they anchor for fishing, the boat gets rocked about quite a bit.

So...I guess you look at things differently from where you are.

(By the way - leaving on a business trip after this post. See you guys sometime between Friday and Sunday. Happy sailing or doing that maintenance !

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 14:41:04

Speaking of wakes: It always cracks me up when a powerboat that is skimming along on plane decides to SLOW DOWN for "less wake". They come off plane and then plow along with the bow up in "displacement mode". Most often, the wake they produce is twice as large as the one they made when planing! Tells me that many boaters do not understand, nor appreciate, the wake they make!

I would rather have them just blast by if they are on plane.

Gary B.
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

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raulpou
Navigator

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144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 17:33:23

Gary, that is a greata point. Down here in Florida you see large boats do that all the time. What baffles me is they act like they don't know what they are doing! I saw first hand a john boat on a narrow "slow speed" area of the intracoastal flip because of the wake!!! Owner did not even stop or realize what happened.

Some people lack common sense.

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