What did I do wrong? What should I do in the future?

[localboy]

Did quite similar crossing the wake of an ocean-going tug when we first got the boat. I slowed considerably, but under-estimated the severity of the drop on the back side of the wake and buried the bow in green water. I traversed it at 90* also. I now find that, based on each wake, I prefer to cross them at ~45*. We get more "roll" but it's less treacherous to my marriage. My wife laughed about it and she is very confident in the boat's ability, but...

[journey on]

The C-Dory is NOT a deep V hull. That can be good or bad, depending on you view. If you want to pound through waves, swell and wakes, go deep V, with 2 ea 200 HP motors off the back. If you want simple, go C-Dory

And it's different from a sailboat, as it will skid. There's no keel

Do we need another learning lesson at our age? Oh well, I got it.

Boris

[Foggy]

Agreed with bow up, slow down and give the big boys sea room.

I got too close in the Straights of Gibraltar to get "5 blasts" (read danger signal)
from a large freighter. The wake was a non issue but I was in a 61' sloop.

These C-Dorys, by design, with some "V" in the bow and flat (or little dead rise)
astern are more prone to broaching than a full "V" hull or full keel vessel.
Running off, on the downside of a large wave, the V'd bow can dig in and
the stern, being somewhat flat, can slip to the side causing a broach.
Hence, use xtra care and keep the bow up when running off in larger seas.

Aye.

[thataway]

My experience is that with the semi dory type of hull, by applying power you can pull out of a broach far easier than either a Deep V or a full keel sailboat. But definitely keeping the bow up, is important in following seas. Also the light C Dory , with a good acceleration can work the waves far better than a displacement hull going down wind/waves. There is a lot of work--and reflex action in play--sort of like surfing!

[Foggy]

Rather than like surfing, using throttle on a flat-ish and skid-ish rear end boat
(usually the heaviest part) to steer down a large wave, is more like having the right
light touch on the throttle of a 911S Porsche (rear end engine and drive wheels)
on snow in the winter. The ass-end of the thing wants to be first down the road
(wave). This is where experience counts and neuvo, or tired, helmsmen end up
as a late night broadcast in the local news.

I've made the mistakes in all three scenarios (surf, boat, car).

Aye.

[hardee]

Gratitude Jim,

Good story and learning experience. I would agree with the previous, (Slow down, bow up, take the wake at close to 90, and make sure the forward hatch is dogged). The speed, draft, depth, and direction (angle of turn if that is going on) all have affect on the wake the big ships put out.

In my experience, anything closer that a mile is toooo close for most wake crossings. (That is why I really like my AIS receiver - it gives me closest pint of approach and time to cpa)

About 2 years ago, I had a very strange wake crossing experience and wrote it up here

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=18694&highlight=wake

Might be of interest to you.

Over my time on the straits here, I would say the worst wakes are in this order z(wake size not frequency) from worst to better..

Submarine
Big Ocean going tugs running at speed and without a tow
Car haulers

It's probably a good idea to stand off, or run down (away) from the wake until it looks more comfortable. My preference is to be at least a mile from the ship that made the wake, and even then I will probably take it at near 90, slow, just above an idle speed so I can maintain steering, and keep a hand on the throttle.

By the way, the pictures of the C-Dory on the Columbia River bar were done for a publicity package, and they were intentionally jumping those waves. The boat was not loaded for fishing or cruising and there was a 50-60 ft vessel standing by (as the photo platform). Yes the boat will take it, but do you want to?

Enjoy,

Harvey
SleepyC

[Foggy]

Harvey,

Your previous "Strange Wake Crossing Experience" reminds me
of a typical breezy day on Lake Michigan (unsalted) which is known
for its "square steep waves" which seem too close together. Strange
that by adding salt and different sea life to this yet unsalted "inland sea"
would give it more of an ocean wave character with the longer period, swells, etc.

We've had those outrageous, fast deep V American Power Boat racers up here
a few times to do their thing on our waters. Almost to a man (and woman) who
raced, they hated doing so in these waters and waves which produced more
pounding with hull damage on their boats and bodies than expected.

Probably something to do with the specific gravity differences of the two liquids.
It's my research project for another lifetime.

Here's to keeping your bow up and eyes open.

Aye.

[trpsurf]

Jim,
I hope all is well with C Pelican.

On our first few crossings, we made a few errant left hand turns like this. I found that if you approach them head on at 8-9mph, it is best, just as others have said.

I hope to see you out on the water some time. My kids miss the C Pelican.

Tim

[Chuckpacific]

I'll cast my vote for ocean going tugs...and they're worse if they're not pulling anything.

[T.R. Bauer]

imagine what it would be like in a 14 foot row boat.....that is me years ago when a large 3,000,000 hp ferry got onto step out of the harbor in Seward and nearly sent a friend and I swimming. We were just trolling near shore for the fall run of silvers, heard the diesels spin up, and saw the wave coming. It was terribly steep and I just pointed the boat into it with low speed and light throttle on the 6 hp. We made it and it reminded me of my whitewater rafting days a long time ago.

I always slow way down when encountering steep wake from the huge boats. 10 kts is sometimes too fast really and trimming in the middle is a nice spot to be, although I don't think if you go really slow it matters that much on a 4-5 footer. However, it is always a best boating practice for sure.

[katkt]

As others have said, slow down and take them on your chin, and not your shoulder.
As Thataway mentioned, the same thing can happen with the large Sportfishers as well. I experienced that first hand, coming in the Pass, here at Pcola. I wasn't going very fast, but I hit the wave at about a 45 degree angle, and it was more then just a little unsettling. Had I taken it head on, there'd of been a dip, but not the ugly roll.