The perfect wake? (when on plane)

[marcochi76]

Hello,
I often here people judging the quality of a hull by the shape of the wake left behind when on plane.
But what does the perfect wake look like?
And when a wake can tell us that the boat is not running optimally?

Thanks!

 

[john_morris_uk]

Hello,
I often here people judging the quality of a hull by the shape of the wake left behind when on plane.
But what does the perfect wake look like?
And when a wake can tell us that the boat is not running optimally?

Thanks!

I once sailed an ex Baltic trader (displacement obviously) that barely left a ripple at normal hull speeds. I suspect this has nothing to do with the question you’re asking.

 

[julians]

Hello,
I often here people judging the quality of a hull by the shape of the wake left behind when on plane.
But what does the perfect wake look like?
And when a wake can tell us that the boat is not running optimally?

Thanks!

nah, nonsense - for most boats anyway

The quality of a hull can be judged by how well it handles the conditions you go out in.

Maybe in a wakeboard boat you could judge the quality of the hull by the wake, but then in those situations the shape of the wake is all that matters (who cares what the hull is like) - I like the wake nice and rampy, with no white water at all on the crest.

 

[Bajansailor]

@marcochi76 - the 'perfect' wake is virtually non existent.
The bigger the wake, the more inefficient the hull is basically.
I remember when we launched the powercat in my avatar, and zoomed (at 15 knots) past a yacht underway - they shook their fists at us in anticipation of a large wake - but it never came. The two long and skinny hulls (L/B ratio of 15 at the waterline) are very efficient.

 

[BruceK]

Rather than wake, on a completely aesthetic level, I judge a hull by the way it sits on the plane. I loathe the way I see some boats have excessive bow rise,while their stern squats down in the hole it creates. Boats that rise and lie almost horizontal to the water grab my attention. We have a few 50+ Prinseeker types that are majestic in the water until they get on the plane and then it all seems to go horribly wrong. Like watching a swan glide across the water compared to it lumbering along desperately trying to take off. Seeing so much boat on such a large and fine vessel strung out in the air looks like a recalcitrant dog on a lead being dragged out for walkies.

 

[MapisM]

And when a wake can tell us that the boat is not running optimally?

For any given size/weight/speed between two boats of similar type, there are several factors that can tell which hull is "better", i.e. more efficient.
By and large, the flatter and smoother the wake, the better - but there are also other subtleties.

OTOH, when looking at one particular boat, a less than ideal wake doesn't mean that the boat isn't running at her best.
For instance, in most semi-displacement hulls the wake is awful at just about any speed above displacement, but that's the nature of the beast, not an indicator of something wrong. The same goes for planing hulls while cruising in the so-called transition speed/state (above D, but not yet fully P).

The only thing that can suggest a non-optimal attitude is an asymmetrical wake, which can be due either to a boat list, or to some correction (flaps or trim) necessary to correct the boat list.
Now, if that's driven by external factors, like typically wind and sea, it should be expected and there's nothing wrong with that.
But if the boat lists to one side (and/or requires an asymmetric trim/flaps correction) in flat seas with no wind, that rings a bell.

 

[Bouba]

It’s quite surprising how many people like their boat to ride in a hole with the bow pointing skyward. But failure to trim or load the boat correctly isn’t the boats fault. To me the real test of a hull is how it rides at rest and how it manœuvres around the port.

 

[julians]

Rather than wake, on a completely aesthetic level, I judge a hull by the way it sits on the plane. I loathe the way I see some boats have excessive bow rise,while their stern squats down in the hole it creates.

Its always the flybridges that do this - not sure whether its the boats fault, or the owner doesnt understand how to use the tabs. I dont know how they drive them like that - I guess thats why they need the high up driving position

 

[Mr Googler]

It’s quite surprising how many people like their boat to ride in a hole with the bow pointing skyward. But failure to trim or load the boat correctly isn’t the boats fault. To me the real test of a hull is how it rides at rest and how it manœuvres around the port.

Marina Queen 2?

 

[Mr Googler]

Any planing wake is the perfect wake as it means nothing is broken…..currently

 

[mcanderson]

It looks like this

 

[markc]

 

[john_morris_uk]

I thought this thread was going to be about in flight post funeral gatherings

 

[Mr Googler]

It looks like thisView attachment 121755

Doesn’t track very straight does it ???

 

[ST840]

No it’s like this…

 

[Bouba]

I know that some of you create a larger wake discharging your black tank than my boat makes traveling

 

[Hurricane]

Oh dear, it has turned into a wake shot thread.
There is only one subject worse than a wake shot thread and thats an anchor thread.

So here is my contribution:-

A Sealine F43:-

Whitelighter's Ferretti

And a Princess 67 of course

 

[mcanderson]

Doesn’t track very straight does it ???

Have you ever had lunch at La Guerite!

 

[Mr Googler]

to make it more interesting…..”things in a wake“ competition

 

[Rum_Pirate]

I sailed on KATE (Alfred Milne designed America's Cup gaff rigged 12 metre) and the wake was minimal.