Redjet wake!

wonky

wonky

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Morning all, any thoughts on best way to negotiate the Redjet's wake? Wasn't covered in my pb2. At the mo I just slow down but was wondering if there is a best angle of attack? Cheers.
 
Grandma onboard: Slow right down, aim to cut the wake at 45%, then just before it hits, power up a fair bit to get the nose in the air.

Grandma not onboard: Try just taking it on at any angle at 10kts and see what happens. Next time try 15. Then 20... Be prepared to get wet. Very wet.
 
If you want the smoothest way without slowing down then take it nearly broadside on.

Hold your heading until the wake reaches you and turn until you are almost parallel to the wake, the wake will cross you by rising you up slowly and then lowering you back down.
You need to warn your crew as you will heal over as this occurs but very smooth and no need to slow down and waste fuel.
As long as your crew are expecting the heal it is great fun.

but maybe not as much fun as smashing through at 45 degrees at full speed risking damage and injury.
 
wonky said:
Morning all, any thoughts on best way to negotiate the Redjet's wake? Wasn't covered in my pb2. At the mo I just slow down but was wondering if there is a best angle of attack? Cheers.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends a lot on you and your passengers and how you like to treat your boat.

Head on is cra****y bang, 45 degs is a bit bang bang but not as bad. At a shallow angle my boat rolls a lot which my wife dislikes, I generally throttle right back but keep her on the plane. Down to say about 14 knots.
 
Southampton water?
To some extend you can keep out of the way. Try not staying in the main channel; at least the wake will have eased a bit
 
Okay, in which case ignore my previous comment about trying to jump it: you'll end up hitting your head on the roof.

I would first try 45' at about 8-10kts and see how that went.
 
"Okay, in which case ignore my previous comment about trying to jump it: you'll end up hitting your head on the roof"

LOL!
 
:D:D:D

And I thought it was only yotties that didn't like wash:rolleyes: Bear in mind that sailboats can only do displacement speeds anyway, & may have crew standing on the cabin top concentrating on pulling ropes/ tying knots etc.

I usually try to keep out of the way, but if buzzed by some plonker, I tend to take the wake at 45deg. At displacement speed this is uncomfortable but manageable. We also call out a "wash" to warn anyone below (especially if cooking) or on the cabin top. It is slightly better if the wash comes from astern than ahead, but I wouldn't bother turning round for the difference.
 
It's a wash hierarchy.

If I were to buzz a 20footer, he would cry "Oi".

If I get buzzed by a 45 footer, I cry "Oi".

And when that tug with the cyclical drive system powers up the Solent at 18kts, generating an 8ft wave that makes the horizon disappear, we all cry "Oi".
 
wonky said:
Morning all, any thoughts on best way to negotiate the Redjet's wake? Wasn't covered in my pb2. At the mo I just slow down but was wondering if there is a best angle of attack? Cheers.
Click to expand...

Depends, if running a PB 2 will keep well away. If running an intermediate course will attack it at 45 degrees or allow boat to roll over the wash broadsides on, an advanced course the students will do it in various ways.

If out playing on my own, hit it at 90 degrees, just before the wake hits, power almost off then throttle full open, rib will the leap over it with the grace of an eagle.

in our semi displacement motor cruiser will allow the boat to "roll over" the wake or turn to take it at around 45 degress to lengthen the distance between the troughs.

Do not however throttle back at the top of the wash, you will fall into the "hole" and you will hit your head and it will hurt!



But remember they don't all create the same wash as the vessels differ. The boats that should really be watched are the blue tugs that operate off Fawley, their washes are very nasty indeed and require deep respect.
 
Solitaire said:
But remember they don't all create the same wash as the vessels differ. The boats that should really be watched are the blue tugs that operate off Fawley, their washes are very nasty indeed and require deep respect.
Click to expand...

I decided to deliberately "play" with the wake of one of those a few years ago in an S24.

It took about a fortnight to thoroughly dry out the forecabin. Buying new windscreen wipers and a horn wasn't too expensive, but I was upset about the loss of my hat.
 
FlowerPower said:
I decided to deliberately "play" with the wake of one of those a few years ago in an S24.

It took about a fortnight to thoroughly dry out the forecabin. Buying new windscreen wipers and a horn wasn't too expensive, but I was upset about the loss of my hat.
Click to expand...

I can understand that! I now have a nice one with a clip on the back! But if I'm going to play in "blue tug" wash I'll wear my geko with full face mask!
 
The worst I've had was on a mooring in Holyhead Harbour. About 20 mins after the Seacat HiSpeed Jetboat ferry to Dublin came past the entrance. We were all below sorting out lunch when it hit us beam on. It must have been about 2m high & about 25' length.

It rolled us gunwhale to gunwhale & everything ended up on the floor including SWMBO & I. It took us about 15 mins to tidy up & we've never been back to Holyhead since. I suspect that a major part of teh problem is that the moorings are in shoaling water, so the wave shortens & steepens.
 
I always power off a little bit but keep it on the plane head for the wake head on. Then at the last minute turn away slightly, not to take it on the side, but to show a lot of the v of the hull to the wake although a word of warning would be that I often do this in larger boats with a lot of weight behind them so I wouldn't guarantee that it'll work for you, but maybe worth a try on smaller wake and see if you think it helps.
 
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