Handling a Large Wave

Phantom · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject:

No argument whatever with that, Larry.

Blueback · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject:

Larry you summed it up nicely.

I was placed in a position a few years ago in the Fraser River, BC Can. that shocked me at the speed things happened. I was heading up river and was just about to pass through the piers of the Patullo Bridge. A deep draught, ocean going tug has cast off the dock-side mooringing lines and was facing upstream, but was wanting to go downstream. He must of given his vessel a full throttle kick with the helm hard over to bring her around. I was about 200-300 feet away and the wave that came up off her stern as she swung was amazing. I swung head on to the wave and cut the throttle to just maintain steerage. My boat was the 16' Angler and the wave looked steep and high. I said to my passenger hang on this is going to be rough. As the wave rose up I hit full throttle and hung there for a split second, then cresting the wave, I pull right back on the throttle, skated down the other side and slammed in the (very short) next wave, which through spray right over the cabin leaving the cockpit wet. The lady with me was knocked right off her seat with the impact from the second wave. Neither of us had life jackets as it was a quite days cruise on the river up until then.
Conclusions: The Dory will take a short steep wave but you will get pounded which is to be expected.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:08 am Post subject:

Blueback, great report. Your situation with that accelerating tug while turning is similar to the tanker we encountered. I'm positive the wave off her stern was accentuated by the fairly steep turn she was making while accelerating as well. I believe I would point my boat much closer to perpendicular next time, the force of the SECOND wave was very strong and violent when it hit that forward quarter, essentially broadside to the wave at that section.

As Joe and others have said, best to get the experience under your belt in less treacherous situations before getting 'over your head' in bigger situations.