Dealing with wake, etiquette, and ...

[JamesTXSD]

I just got off the phone with Scott Mathews - our new boat is scheduled to be finished at the end of next week! We have a committment in south Texas next weekend, and if we don't stop at our daughter's home in Phoenix on the way north, I'll loose my Best Daddy in the World status. We may be a couple days late in getting to our boat. It's my birthday next week... I think the Blonde and the Kid are expecting us to be there for that. So much for no schedules.

Well, on to my question. There is an etiquette (not law) along the ICW that powerboats slow as they go by sailboats (or other non-powered craft) to minimize the effects of the wake. Today is the first day of the shrimping season here in south Texas, and yesterday while we were out sailing, scads of 60+ foot shrimpers (and plenty of other boats) tore by us on our 17' catboat in the ICW and the ship channel. Not a one of them slowed. Rarely do they. In fact, the Coast Guard small boats are some of the biggest wake-tossers. The Blonde is pragmatic, saying, "If you're going to be out on the water, you are going to get waked." I'm thinking, "Even in the channel, there is plenty of room... so why do they have to move even closer as they go by?" 3 to 4' of wake when you're in a 17' boat is pretty nasty. How do your C-Dorys take this kinda wake? Do you ever ease off the throttle as you're passing non-powered craft?

Big sportfishers seem to be the worst around here... I have reminded several that they are responsible for damage caused by their wake (maritime law, not etiquette). The resulting discussion usually degenerated into a discussion of un-married parents and performing seemingly impossible physical acts.

The discussion a while back on the wake tossed by a freighter was very informative... this that I'm talking about is wake generated less than 100' from you... and perhaps on both sides at the same time; downright sloppy conditions often encountered when entering/exiting a jetties with a bit of tidal flow (and some rollers) tossed in. How about when at anchor and some yahoo roars through? The Blonde thinks it is bad manners on my part to fire several warning shots into their hull.



I know there are plenty of sailors and former sailors here. I have no desire to turn this into a bag-ragger vs stinkpotter issue. In a couple weeks, I will find out first hand how the CD-25 handles this stuff. Just wondering what the collective wisdom of this fine group can offer. Thanks in advance for your reponse.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[colobear]

I think your C-Dory will handle the wakes just fine...mine does. I routinely try to give unpowered vessels a little extra leeway and usually, but not always, slow down to reduce reduce my wake, guess it comes from growing up sailing very small boats.

[Sawdust]

Jim,

TX and FLA don't have a corner on the wake market. Terrible here, particularly at Deception Pass where the Microsoft destroyer fleet - and their close relatives - go through with huge wakes. I've called the CG on some of the big sightseeing boats -- and they have been warned and actually have slowed down. BUT it is impossible to educate them all, and a good skipper will give any small boat lots of room just as you do.

Because I'm a many-years professional skipper I know the rules, teach the rules, and sometimes am called to maritime courts as an "expert" -- (yep, got a briefcase!!) -- the fines are usually not wrist-slaps!! One guy ended up with over 20K in fines for damages done by his wake in a channel.

My CD 22's and Tomcat all handle any wake with no problems for the boat -- just a ticked off skipper and copilot. Even get thirsty and have a bloody...

The problem here for me is when I have a shrimp pot at 300+ feet and a big cruiser comes close aboard with a 10 ft. wake and miles of ocean to avoid me. Any wind or current keeps my stern pointed toward the shrimp pot (just like a huge sea anchor), and I end up with a foot or two of water dumped over the transom. . Not dangerous, but the sight of my Nikons floating in a foot of salt water tends to turn my face red.

You will absolutely love your CD - guaranteed.

Dusty

[Byrdman]

Interesting thread.....and great news on your boat. I have followed your post with your excitement and shared anticipation..... back to the wake...

WOW... No real "do it this way" answer for me on this one... it kinda depends...and kinda changes with "total conditions"

Some folks slow down a little....just enought to make the largest wake possible behind their "current" boat..... (i.e. slow down on a pontoon boat and one thing happens....slow down on any type of planing hull....and the aft section of the boat drops deeper into the water, which drastically increases that big ol set of roller wakes of each side of the boat.)

Had a guy driving my TC24 one day and he would slow to about 10-12mph to pass folks instead of just staying up on plane....and...those big ol rollers would happen...making it much worse for our boat...(and economy), and all other boats in the area. Just simply staying on plane at speed in the TC24 had very little wake behind the boat... so....unless you were going to slow to basically idle speed.... go ahead and stay on plane.

Now... on uncrowded days/areas.... yes... It just looks and feels more polite to slow down....but...again...only if you are going to slow all the way down....

On those real crowded days.... just be ready for a lot of confused seas/wakes... Going into and out of passes and bays.... just do not go in or out when the charter folks or folks that make a living are going out.... get up and leave earlier....or.... have a nice late breakfast and go out after they are all out making their livings....

Any way... just be aware of what YOUR BOAT does....at all speeds....and do the next best thing... sometimes...faster is better.

[JamesTXSD]

[Sawdust]

Jim,

It's almost shocking the number of rag guys who have ended up with a C Dory! I'm one of those too, and sometimes would again like to sail my old Hershoff (sp?) built in 1898 - high gaff rig, and a beautiful old classic.

As an unlimited tonnage ocean master I should know a lot more than I do... time takes its toll! But being polite on the water just never goes away.

Best of luck!

Dusty

[flagold]

[rogerbum]

[tpbrady]

I agree with Byrdman. If you are going to slow down, slow down all the way. A friend was piloting my boat into Whittier the other day as we were passing a CG Aux vessel with another vessel under tow. We were passing about 400 yards to port and she was going to heed their warning and slow down and minimize the wake. If we had slowed down enough to drop off step to keep the wake small, we would be going slower than they were. If we slowed down to 10-12 mph we would have been throwing a larger wake. As it was, we pressed by at 22 mph with a pretty small wake and a lot sea room.

The worse wake I have ever encountered in my limited C-Dory time (in my second year) was from a water taxi exiting the Homer small boat harbor. I was running about 5 miles an hour just coming up on the jetty and he came out with a 4 foot wake at about 15 mph. I'm glad I got pointed at him. As it was, I went over the first and buried my bow in the second one and rattled everything pretty well.

In that situation, I would think a round through the engine room would have been appropriate. While the blonde may be right in saying it is bad manners, it does get the point across, complaints to the harbormaster not withstanding.

[flapbreaker]

James, don't worry you will be able to put your sailing skills to work when docking in a side wind

[Dora~Jean]

Dusty wrote:

[Sawdust]

Aw Steve -

You know how to punish a young feller! That old Hershoff was sure fun though. Had to sign an agreement to NEVER, under any circumstances, put power aboard her. Really more fun than my Star... doubt that there are any of those around either.

Son Les (EQ) is also a rag sailor and now sending for plans to build one. Genetic disease I guess.

I am surprised at the number of CD skippers and wives who have been to the USCG or power squadron classes. Good!

Dusty (scarfing a plate of fresh Dungeness crab, so sorry to be talking with a mouth full)

[Dora~Jean]

Hey Dusty, sorry for the 'age' joke, couldn't resist. Honestly, you and Les are my idols, I continue to learn so much from your wisdom and savy understanding of boats, men and the sea (..sounds like a book doesn't it?). I consulted with Les a great deal before taking delivery of my boat, sure helped ease the unknowns. Hope to meet you both some day in person, just a quick jaunt UP the coast from here, eh?

Over the years I've come across some good reading on the various Herreshoff vessels, very beautiful lines, fast and excellent sailing characteristics. You've literally lived among famous royalty to have owned and sailed one of them.

[Sawdust]

Steve --

Anything I do at this age is a joke .

Would certainly like to meet you in person. Les is a cool guy and my favorite fishing/boating partner, but he is so danged busy we rarely get out on the big water together now. Our morning Latte and BS session is the highlight of my day. I'm twisting his arm to get him to do the Bellingham gig with me -- so many old CD friends will be there, and the bestest beer anywhere -- and I've made many a Munich Octoberfest!!!

Just a hop, skip, jump from there to here -- come on up. Great cruising, great bunch of CD folks. Stop by TyBoo Mike and Kay's in OR, great friends who share Sturgeon - and Cynthia and Jon in Port Angeles, who are wonderful hosts and make the best smoked salmon I've ever tasted. And of course our brain - Bill (DaNag) is usually in the area too.

Dusty

[C-Hawk]

James,

Happy birthday!