water over the bow

[mls6722]

we went out this afternoon and had a great time. The boat is still new to me and I'm learning. One of my friends was driving and as he came around to pick me up, crossing our surf wake, he drenched the bow. Our friend's wife and 7 month old son were up there and got soaked.
I did the same thing an hour later. Were we crossing the wake too slow? What is the best way to avoid this?

[skippabcool]

practice practice practice

I am new to my boat as well and have done the samething. I am no expert but I first come around slow to start with meaning that hopefully there is not much wake to cross. If the wake is big I give it a little gas to get the bow up, not much, and try to cross without much angle. Just my

On the other hand my buddy can do it on purpose to drench those in the front.

[ajholt7]

When your rider falls let off the throttle and come to a complete stop. Let your wake pass you as you turn around slowly to pick up your rider.

[ajholt7]

[NICKYPOO]

Great video. All the cool kids do it just like video shows. It would like to add that, when stopping the boat, don't just cut the throttle. "Roll" off the throttle. Cutting it can lead to unhappy passengers as well. Obviously with surfing its not as critical but, you should always roll off a little. Adding one more second to your deceleration makes a big difference.

[Fiveflat]

When your rider falls let off the throttle and come to a complete stop. Let your wake pass you as you turn around slowly to pick up your rider.

I can't watch that video for some reason but this is what I do. I roll off the throttle so my huge wave doesn't come crashing over the transom, wait for it to pass me and then turn back for the rider.
If you find yourself needing to cross your own wake, (or any large wake for that matter) you can throw it into reverse and back up with it a little. Passengers would rather get off balance than drenched in an urgent situation...

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

The video shows the method that is certainly the best way to keep from taking your own wake over the bow. With earlier model Tige's it is very possible to still get water over the bow from another boat's wake. Rolling those wakes as parallel as you can helps, but sometimes you have to raise the throttle just enough to lift the bow above the oncoming wake to prevent a bow wash. Take your time after turning around to survey the lake between you and the rider to determine how to avoid taking a rogue roller over the bow. If you have to throttle up a tad, do so while angling away from the rider. Also, small children do not belong in the bow.

Like everyone said.. practice is the only way to learn.

[whitlock87]

The video shows the method that is certainly the best way to keep from taking your own wake over the bow. With earlier model Tige's it is very possible to still get water over the bow from another boat's wake. Rolling those wakes as parallel as you can helps, but sometimes you have to raise the throttle just enough to lift the bow above the oncoming wake to prevent a bow wash. Take your time after turning around to survey the lake between you and the rider to determine how to avoid taking a rogue roller over the bow. If you have to throttle up a tad, do so while angling away from the rider. Also, small children do not belong in the bow.

Like everyone said.. practice is the only way to learn.

X2 this is how we do it.
Sometimes you have to get between your rider and an oncoming boat, so you cannot take the time to come to complete stop before turning.

[jmitchell]

When your rider falls let off the throttle and come to a complete stop. Let your wake pass you as you turn around slowly to pick up your rider.

I agree aj, that this is the best way to pick up a rider and just like the video shows. This is also the best way to cut down on water chop for the lake and keep the water smooth all day long.

HOWEVER, if you boat on public lakes that are extremely busy then the only safe way to retrieve a rider in my mind is to raise your flag, check your surroundings for other water craft, and make a hard turn with lots of throttle back to your rider to get to him as quickly as possible. Never coming to a stop or going to wakeless speed until you approach your rider in the water. If you were to follow the video at some of the public lakes in Colorado, your rider would likely get run over by another craft on a busy weekend day. I always felt the quicker I could get to him/her the more protection I'm providing for them. Just my two cents.

[Fiveflat]

If there's that many boats when we ride, I'm putting the ropes under the seat, the boards in their racks ,crackin' a beer and resting beneath the bimini...

[Timmy!]

I drive pretty much like the video only I add one additional step. When rolling off of the throttle, I turn the wheel the direction opposite of that which I will be headed back to get the rider. By doing that, you can turn and head back a little sooner which is important on a busy lake.

Even when we are on a busy lake(Horsetooth/Boyd/Cherry Creek for us), I still don't do the powerturn. We keep the rider in view and IF they are in danger, I will pick up the pace a little bit (or a lot depending on the situation) to get back to them. When surfing on a busy lake, I always tell my riders that if they see a boat in the vicinity to hold the surfboard upright so that the approaching boat can see it/you a little easier.

Great video! I'm like Fiveflat, if it's that busy, we aren't riding.

[jmitchell]

Yes, I agree usually not riding in rough busy waters, but there is always the possibility of tubing and I just don't trust the other drivers when I have a family member or friend down in the water.

[h2osk8er00]

If there's that many boats when we ride, I'm putting the ropes under the seat, the boards in their racks ,crackin' a beer and resting beneath the bimini...

Nicley Put....

I don't care how many people are out there... I get back to my rider as fast as possible.. I have been drinving a boat since I was 14... I'm 26 now.. but I was always taught to get back quick.. Sometimes that is my favorite part of the tow becuase it looks sweet when you know how to quickly get back to someone and get them back up.. I have a strong current in the river so it is important that I get to them in a timely manner. But since you are new to this stuff I would say the video is a perfect demonstration..

[Timmy!]

Getting back quick is also what trashes the water. There's no real need to get back to your rider unless you suspect injury or another boat not seeing them. Taking your time preserves the water and lets your rider catch their breath before the next set.

[Timmy!]

Friends don't let friends powerturn:
http://www.wakeworld.com/news/featur...powerturn.html