problems with other's wakes

[Reel Time]

 seems i'm having a hell of a time with other peoples wakes, going same direction as me. almost got pushed into a bouy the other week.

 everytime someone passes by me, or i try to pass someone i get thrown all over the place. i'm not talking about a monster 2ft wake, but even little ones like 1ft give me a problem, and what i wind up doing is slowing way down, or if noone is comin make a hard 90 deg turn into the wake.

 what am i doing wrong?

[CapBob]

Whats happening is your boat is riding the wave, especially if you continue on a parallel course....all boats will be effected to some degree but it depends on your hull design.

Best way to avoid being pushed is to cut across the wake wave....then fall in behind the boat that just passed.

Also you might want to try adjusting the trim on your engine and your trim tabs.

Hope it helps

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Reel Time,

I will jump aboard one day with you to check it out. You're in Pelican Island?

Capt. Ed

[Reel Time]

 yes that is correct ed.

 cutting across it seems to do the job, but not if there is a secondary vessel behind the one that passes me. definently do not want to cause a hazard. also, no trim tabs but maybe oneday,,

[Luna Sea 5]

First try to stay directly behind the boat where his wake is on both sides of you... when you pick the right moment, pick a nice angle and cut his wake... Make sure after you cut the wake, keep going so the wake doesn't catch up with you... If it does, it will push you out of control

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Reel,

No need for trim tabs to effectively work the wake.

Like Capt. Bob said, maybe trim the engine.

For the most part, I do not cut power unless I absolutely have to.

Part of this is getting confidence in yourself and your boat.

Where we live, it is difficult as wakes are hitting you from all driections.

Do you have problems handling the boat in following, head or quartering seas? Probably not so you probably possess all the skills already to take this on.

Pounding your boat a bit is a fact of life in our area ... 45 degrees to the wake, some power and reading the water work.

Do you drive with polarized glasses?

Ed

[Reel Time]

 i dont seem to have any troubles with any other conditions, just wakes. maybe it is a head game i'm playing with myself.

 and yes i have polarized shades, pretty darn good ones to.

[CapBob]

If you hold a steady line in the wake, your boat will just get caught and ride the wave, you have to steer or power out of it

[Luna Sea 5]

did you take the boating course by any chance..

[Reel Time]

If you hold a steady line in the wake, your boat will just get caught and ride the wave, you have to steer or power out of it

 that sums it up the best i think,, for trimming the motor, are you sayign i should be trimmed up on my planing trim, or should i try and get the bow down to try and break the wake more? once i get up on plane i trim up adn leave it there till i slow back down again, which is about 3, 3.5 on the yama gauge.

[Reel Time]

 luna, i took the safety course, dont think they covered this incident,, but i never had an actual boating course.

[Luna Sea 5]

To smooth the ride in rought wakes, and if you have trim tabs, set the tabs to put your bow down... this will bulldose through the wake and not bounce you around that much...   I think this is the answer your looking for.  For speed, trim your bow up to plain quicker but get a bouncier ride

[Hotrod]

I won't say it

But I know where your coming from.  what i do is attack the on coming wake at a 30 to 45 deg angle.  letting it enter my space from the side is a "reel" problem.. and can toss a few people around if I don't take action.

[shadyvito]

You either need to get a jet boat or a rocket launcher to blow them out of the water!