[JayDV]

Assuming the craft had all the plugs in place and the lake was in really rough conditions (5 ft waves?) I would like to relay an experience that taught me a lot.

I had taken my friend and his father for a ride on Long Island Sound off of Darien, Ct. Seas were about 18 inches and the family 17' Glaspar was cruising about 35 mph. I had just filled the bow tank with 20 gallons of gas so we were set for a lot of fun and sun. We had come out of a cove checking out the fancy craft from Long Island that would "sleep over" the weekends and we saw this beautiful 56 ft Hatteras cruiser doing about 18 mph. At that speed the wake had just about a 5' trough to crest depth and here comes me a crazy teenager. I don't remember if we had a written 150 ft rue down here, but I was a lot less than that when I crossed the wake. The spray as we knifed through was incredible, the rise and crash even though at a 45degree angle was thrilling. As we landed in the "calm" behind the cruiser, all our faces showed it was just like a roller coaster ride. Cutting straight across (and relaying this is taking much longer than the event) we were rising (with the wake now) on the first crest when I realized several points that quickly had a bearing on how to react and what I did.

1. Having knifed through the wake at 45 degrees coming in, continuing straight put me in direct "with the waves" attitude.
2. Still doing about 35mph
3. Glaspar craft were on plane at speed and the bow now had 20 gals extra weight.

We rode the first little stern wave down then up, up, up and I figured I didn't want to slam down the other side so I quickly slowed down so now I'm sliding down aiming right at a wall of water. I didn't want to do a hull plant and flip so I opened her up again and sumarined through the wave. The water came over the bow, smacked the widshield and sailed over our heads as we came out the other side. Some water got in the boat, most landed in the outboard well and we hardly got wet. (In fairness to the cruiser captain, he did make sure we were safe)

My point being yes any boat can be swamped but assuming the equipment is sound, it more than likely will not swamp if some simple rules are applied. But most important act and react but do not panic! At least I have followed these rules and never had another close call like that one.

In high seas weather;

Travelling against the wind, speed should be at your comfort speed but no less than slightly more than headway and attack the approaching waves at a slight angle. Tacking port/starboard in order to continue in your intended direction.

Travelling with the wind, slightly faster than the waves and travel straight with the waves.

Other lessons I learned;

1. Don't stop in open water, but if you have to, point bow into waves (hopefully passengers are behind windshield in this scenario)

2. Don't back up into the waves for any reason! If you have to go back, get your bearings and start the slow turn and come back.

3. At least once in a while a friend's Dad will not tell your Dad (shhh he still doesn't know)

4. If you have clean undies on like Mom taught you, there are times they may not stay that way, so it is good there be cascading water nearby.

I do ramble on don't I?