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Misty Blue · 10-30-2009, 05:27 AM

And now it's time for Mr. Knowitall!

'Wanted to chat about how to best handle high seas (waves).

First, we are confronted with two types of waves up here on the Lake. God made and man made.

The man made ones are difficult to deal with because they are unpredictable. They come in various sizes and from all directions. You must be alert for these as you pass busy places such as the Weirs.

The God made ones can be bigger on our Lake but they are more predictable and you can "hide" from them by staying in the lee of islands, etc. The waves from a NW wind (that is FROM the NW) are legendary at Parker Island and Winter Harbor. They can get pretty dicey blow'en down twards Eagle Island from Meredith. The bottom line is that we have to deal with big waters in small boats.

Question: What do we use to control our boats?

Answer: A rudder and a propeller (screw).

This is key...In order to maintain control of your boat you MUST keep the rudder and screw in the water. They must be wet at all times.

When taking a big wave on the bow do NOT drive straight into it. Your boat may climb the wave and as the bow starts to drop your rudder and screw can be lifted out of the water. You can now not steer or control your speed. Boats will often shoot straight down into the trough and burry the bow. This is known as pitchpolling. This can sink a boat.

So what do you do? Take waves at an angle (Maybe 30 to 45 degrees). The boat will go over the wave but the angle will keep the rudder and screw in the water. You can steer and control your speed. You can throttle down to slow the boat. At the bottom of the trough your boat will rise at this angle and you give it more throttle to climb the wave and you will be in control to repeat the maneuver for the next wave.

You may have to "tack" your power boat like a sailboat does sailing into the wind to get where you are going.

If you are going slower than the waves and they are coming from behind you do the same with your stern. Take them on the port or stbd. quarter. If a big wave (or series of them) hit your transom square, you can be pooped.

It is good to practice this when times are good and the seas are not too rough.

End of lecture, I didn't mean to preach.

And now back to the show. "Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat".

Misty Blue.

10-30-2009, 05:27 AM	#13
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	From the Rock and Bullwinkle show.... And now it's time for Mr. Knowitall! 'Wanted to chat about how to best handle high seas (waves). First, we are confronted with two types of waves up here on the Lake. God made and man made. The man made ones are difficult to deal with because they are unpredictable. They come in various sizes and from all directions. You must be alert for these as you pass busy places such as the Weirs. The God made ones can be bigger on our Lake but they are more predictable and you can "hide" from them by staying in the lee of islands, etc. The waves from a NW wind (that is FROM the NW) are legendary at Parker Island and Winter Harbor. They can get pretty dicey blow'en down twards Eagle Island from Meredith. The bottom line is that we have to deal with big waters in small boats. Question: What do we use to control our boats? Answer: A rudder and a propeller (screw). This is key...In order to maintain control of your boat you MUST keep the rudder and screw in the water. They must be wet at all times. When taking a big wave on the bow do NOT drive straight into it. Your boat may climb the wave and as the bow starts to drop your rudder and screw can be lifted out of the water. You can now not steer or control your speed. Boats will often shoot straight down into the trough and burry the bow. This is known as pitchpolling. This can sink a boat. So what do you do? Take waves at an angle (Maybe 30 to 45 degrees). The boat will go over the wave but the angle will keep the rudder and screw in the water. You can steer and control your speed. You can throttle down to slow the boat. At the bottom of the trough your boat will rise at this angle and you give it more throttle to climb the wave and you will be in control to repeat the maneuver for the next wave. You may have to "tack" your power boat like a sailboat does sailing into the wind to get where you are going. If you are going slower than the waves and they are coming from behind you do the same with your stern. Take them on the port or stbd. quarter. If a big wave (or series of them) hit your transom square, you can be pooped. It is good to practice this when times are good and the seas are not too rough. End of lecture, I didn't mean to preach. And now back to the show. "Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat". Misty Blue.

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