How to Safely Maneuver Boat Wakes
If you’re new to boating, navigating a wake can be a scary proposition, and for good reason! After all, using improper strategies while crossing a wake is one of the leading causes of injury to boaters. At Kelly’s Port, we want you to stay safe on the water, which is why we’ve created this brief guide to help you successfully cross a wake. If you need more tips or want to explore our selection of boats for sale, feel free to get in touch with us at our dealership in Osage Beach, Missouri.
Move Away from the Wake
The moment you realize that you will be crossing a wake, immediately inform your passengers about this. Make sure they are all securely seated and aware of how you’re going to handle the situation. Next, try to navigate your boat away from the wake. Do this as safely as possible. The further you are away from the boat that is producing the wake, the smaller the wake becomes. Make sure to stay within the channel and be aware of other boat activities in the area.
Slow Down
If your boat is on plane, reduce your speed to where the boat just comes off the plane. This will lift the bow up and help to create a cushioned effect on the wake. The bow-high position also reduces the chance of diving the bow onto the second wave.
Run Parallel to the Other Boat
Remember that you should turn into the wake, but continue heading parallel to the other boat. This allows the boat to roll a bit over the wake and not jump over it, which can be extremely dangerous if everything doesn’t go as planned. Staying parallel to the other boat also helps keep you positioned correctly on your side of the channel.
When sailing through a wake, turn your boat to 45 degrees relative to the direction of the wake. If you’re on a slow-moving vessel, make sure you have enough power that you can maintain some amount of acceleration after the wake has been crossed. If you are a faster boat, slow down enough so that your vessel does not hit down on the water, which can damage the hull. After you’ve crossed the wake, increase your boat’s speed to return the craft back on the plane.
We hope that these tips will help you safely navigate a boat wake so you can enjoy a relaxing day on the water. If you want additional information or want to check out boats for sale near Lake of the Ozarks and St. Louis, visit Kelly’s Port and have a chat with our helpful staff. We are conveniently located in Osage Beach, MO, and our team will be happy to help you with all your boating needs.