Quote:
Originally Posted by wendyg
Our first trip out on the lake this season was a bit scarey for me. I am definitely a "nervous nelly" as a general rule! The lake wasn't too busy but there was a fair amount of wind causing some good chop in the water. At one point we hit a wake, not sure of our speed, and my daughter was in control of the boat with my husband at her side. It felt like the boat was going to literally roll over on it's side into the water.  Not sure if we were running at too high of a speed for the conditions...my husband says we weren't. Bottom line is that this is our second season on the lake and we are new to boating in general. Look for tips on safe operation of the boat and dealing with wind and wake from other boats. We have a 24 ft bowrider with a big engine so there is no question that the boat can't handle the lake. I would like to feel relaxed and enjoy our time on the lake and not have the added fear factor of losing control of the vessel and ending a day badly. |
On all but the ROUGHEST days on Winni you will have to try to roll a 24' boat over at speed. Not sure that's even possible... As long as your holding on and going a reasonable speed a good pounding is all you will get. My advice is go out and see what your boat does in different situations. How it reacts when you cross a wake. Apply throttle, reduce speed, turn in to or away from waves. You will learn a ton by driving your boat. Sometimes a little adjustment to the throttle and a little input from the wheel will do wonders when crossing wakes. You will learn what to do and what not to do.
Be decisive and confident. When you are heading for another boat change direction slightly to show your intended direction and hold that course. No back and forth. Communicate with the other boat and you will never have scary close calls.
When crossing a wake the more perpendicular to the wake the less roll you will get. Again, you will not roll over even if you cross nearly parallel but it might feel like it at first.
Understand how your trim button alters your ride. Understand your trim tabs if you have them.
You might have been going too slow over that wake!!! how fast would you estimate you were going? 10, 20 ,30 ,50??
Get out there and drive. It's actually a lot of fun....