Bouncing around in a power boat's wake!

Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

Sailing on the Swan River estuary near the ocean access means huge numbers of big power boats on weekends. The problems are made worse by the fetish for very high flying bridges (American style) and the fact that a sign of financial success here is the must have 50 ft power boat. The very people who don't have a long experience of boating or of much consideration of the little people. (superiority complex). No I am not really that bitter but just occasionally it seems so.
Our club has a visitors jetty on the outside of the mooring complex which is definitely a no go area for me because of constant wash. The speed limit is 8knots so all the power baoties do 10knots just the worst speed. I tied up there one opening day for the club sail past, the 50 power boats made the wash a nightmare so I stay on the swing mooring now.
While actually saliing, our patch of the river is a reach about 700 metres wide 2km long to windward which is also a major through fare so we can't worry about wash and must be just grateful that mostly they don't hit us when tacking racing down this reach.
On Jan 26 each year we have a fireworks celbration of Australia day. This is mid summer and the fireworks are on the river. There are usually some 5000 power boats go up and anchor until after the show when they all decide it is time to go home. The water for 6km back to my home is like a washing machine with wash (it is usually very calm and of course dark) I refuse to go anymore in my 21fter simply because the wash on the way home is almost unmanageable under small O/B power.
The bottom line is just cope with wash you guys have nothing to complain about. olewill
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

I doubt your fireworks display is any worse than the Cowes fireworks festival, which is one of the biggest, so why "you guys have nothing to complain about"
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

"They often change course radically and without warning, as they're entitled to do. "

My crew has been almost put off sailing by powerboat wash, especially iat Chichester bar and in Southampton Water, but this represents another perspective. I think the stand on vessel should maintain course and speed! As (predominantly) a sailor, I have been embarrassed to see sailing boats tack obstructively when this was not necessary. I saw this from the deck of a Red Funnel car ferry when, with almost nothing else on the water, an elegant yacht exerted its right of way, stopping ferry, and crossed the Thorn Channel, tr then tacked and repeated the procedure. This was avoidable had the yacht tacked sooner.

Again, when called up for the club Rescue Boat, I was disappointed that dinghies in a domestic race should choose to tack under the bow of a boat under power in the channel.

It would be good to know that a power boat has seem me when it is holding me on its nose though.
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

I agree with you entirely. We all have responsibilities to avoid collisions - and close quarter situations - as detailed fully in the IRPCS. No-where in any of the several copies I have does it mention that anyone has 'right of way'.

And I hope we would agree with my "I'm really pleased that you've the consideration that you've shown. The more of that all round, the happier all will be.... " That certainly includes the likes of your observed 'elegant yacht'.

However, I'm sure we would also agree - with regret - that we are unlikely to find a gaggle of youngsters in racing dinghies all of whom know and can interpret the ColRegs reliably. So, while Rule One certainly applies, so also does Rule Two. Vigilance...... and expecting the unexpected.
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

I think we should start a campaign to get waves banned altogether. They have no place on the sea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

Having moved my rag & stick to Greece this year I can say that I miss the consideration of the UK South Coast powerboating community /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyone tried sailing in the same ocean as an Italian powerboat or one of the packs of RIBs ? - I've given up trying to avoid G&T spillage.
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

I don't think the discussion is about "events" when there is an increased concentration of boats and a decision can be taken to stay away, as you describe. It is more about an everday situation which is encountered anytime.

People do cope with wash, there is no alternative, but it is not unreasonable to expect a certain consideration which can be achieved by education and increasing the awareness of the impact all our actions have on each other.
 
Re: Bouncing around in a power boat\'s wake!

[ QUOTE ]
we invariably find them to be the nicest, most considerate people.
So what happens in between? What turns normal, boat oriented (and therefore obviously good) guys, into water bourne Evil Kneivels?

[/ QUOTE ]

....exactly the same process that turns a pleasant, reasonable and normal sort of person in to a dangerous maniac behind the wheel of his car. Never applies to you or me, of course.
 
No excuses - but also a difficult one.

I also do not like being bounced around by a speeding MOBO passing close by ... but often distance doesn't seem to make that much difference ... Solent wise anyway ..

You cannot expect the MOBO with his girt great fuel consumption to take roundabout routes to avoid you ... and anyway - he will most likely affect another yacht in that area ... Consideration of the effects of wash are imporatnt for all to undestand and also how to minimise or reduce its affects.

With the crowded waters of Solent - as example - on a weekend - it is accepted that you will be bounced around ... and very difficult for the MOBO not to. A MOBO can be half a mile or 50 yards ... you will still spill your beer. OK - so he comes down off the plane or reduces speed ... now the problem is even worse .... he rolls around like a drunken beats, wash is even more pronounced .... no-win situation.

Sadly it is a fact of life that we have to live with and we also have no right to limit THEIR enjoyment of the water .... away from berth and open water .... they are at liberty to do as they please legally .... and so they should. In confined waters, channels, marinas, passing berths / moorings etc. - then that is a different matter all together and I have to say that not only MOBO's are guilty of excess wash ... a displacement raggie proceeding at over 5 kts can produce a wave form to rock you enough to spill beer.

Really at end of day is the live and let live ....

The only time I really object is the MOBO flying past with total ignoring of "us" being thrown about .... not even a smile and a wave .... one MOBO flybridge job to do it .... the guy and his "babe" were totally naked up there ..... she was quite nice ... in the few seconds I got to see ....
 
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