boat driving/handling during launches tips

[78Staff]

What's the best way to deal with tourny launches or multiple boats coming out of a lock, etc where you are following boats out in quick succession, and dealing with all the different wakes, etc... ie running parallel to a lot of wake action, etc... and best way to cross over these "parrallel" wakes at speed? Any tips or special procedures... I've been able to do it, but not sure if I'm doing to correctly, tbh b/c it's alway has a bit of pucker factor, tbh.

[billnorman1]

First, stay out of the way. Second, follow nautical rules, i.e. pass other boats head on exactly as if you were in a car. Third, assume the other driver has no brains, slow down, avoid them if possible. If you stop, remember you can't steer if you are not under power. I find if approaching head on, and I don't want to get waked out of my boat, i just wait until they pass and then cut across their wake perpendicular to their direction of travel, then resume my speed and direction.

[Lightning 6]

https://www.freedomboatclub.com/learning-center/---crossing-over--safely---five-important-tips-for-crossing-wake

[DaveBrabec]

Best to get behind a boat at a safe distance. The smoothest water.

[ChampioNman]

Lead, follow or get out of the way!

[Tim Powell]

Lead, follow or get out of the way!

This

[davidsa]

I tend to try and avoid tournament areas. Most of the guys drive like they have an IQ of about 10 and that they own the lake. I was on the Kissimmee river in 2024 which is a wide body of water when a bunch of guys came flying out of the ramp area and they did not for a moment consider that anyone was on the body of water. Kinda like going onto I95 or I75 at a 90 degree angle under the assumption that no one is on the interstate; I'm actually not exaggerating.

[Okie Poke]

Trim down, give yourself plenty of room in case another boat shuts down, and always ride the waves parallel. Then veer off quick and find the fish that they all just passed up.

[78Staff]

Trim down, give yourself plenty of room in case another boat shuts down, and always ride the waves parallel. Then veer off quick and find the fish that they all just passed up.

Thank you, this is what I was referring to...

[duncankopprichardson]

worst part about morning blastoff is someone shutting down when its not expected. Always be far enough away that you wont run them over when they decide to turn a bit and shut down, especially on rivers.

[wmitch2]

I'll assume you're not in the tournament !! I usually don't fish on the weekends unless I'm in a tournament, but when I do, I usually wait 5 min after the last boat is out !! MUCH safer and I can always find somewhere to fish even if I fish behind some tournament angler. They can't catch ALL the fish, lol !!

AND when I'm in the tournament, I will run on the left of the boat in front of me just outside of his wake and if needed to cross it I will slow slightly and sorta roll over his wake turning the wheel side to side as I crest it. BUT be very mindful of the boats behind you too before you make any move right or left.

[skeeterator]

When you're in a lock that looks like this and the gates open there's just no good answer lol.
IMG_5521.jpg

[Falco]

[78Staff]

I'll assume you're not in the tournament !! I usually don't fish on the weekends unless I'm in a tournament, but when I do, I usually wait 5 min after the last boat is out !! MUCH safer and I can always find somewhere to fish even if I fish behind some tournament angler. They can't catch ALL the fish, lol !!

AND when I'm in the tournament, I will run on the left of the boat in front of me just outside of his wake and if needed to cross it I will slow slightly and sorta roll over his wake turning the wheel side to side as I crest it. BUT be very mindful of the boats behind you too before you make any move right or left.

yeah sometimes in a T, sometimes not... the rolling over the (mostly) parallel wake at speed is what I was trying to figure out... I've kinda keep more trimmed down and just kinda slid over, but sometimes it just doesn't "feel" right - hard to describe. Like "the boat shouldn't be doing this..." sorta airy feeling under the hull lol. So I assume my execution is just not correct.

[Dennyg]

I just finished my first year of tournament Fishing and learned quite a bit about takeoffs. Since I am underpowered compared to most of the boats, I concentrate on First, making sure that I’m up and on plane as quickly as possible. I get a safe distance behind another boat and ride in the slick area behind them where it is the smoothest water. I believe it is safer until the crowd thins out. I also keep my head on a swivel during those first five or six minutes because some of these guys have tunnel vision as they’re running to their first spot.

[BigFishSteve]

The best way is count to 30 before you get on plane and just cruise in the nice smooth water of the last boat in the pack in front of you.

[Melton Jason]

Get a faster boat, when you are in front, the water is smooth.

J/K Depends on the situation, several good answers above. I try my best to swing out far to the side and then outrun them from a distance.

[limitlong]

Follow the boat in front of you at a safe distance, don't over trim and slow down. Also keep your head on a swivel. I have fished tournaments for over 40 years and one of the things that cause me anxiety is other boaters. I guess I am older but it just seems like now there are a lot of folks in high powered boats that don't respect the potential for accidents......and don't even get me started on wake boats and jet skis.

[Rich1]

Just get an Allison with a 500R on it and everyone will be behind you. Smooth sailing for you.

[PJ-Rohlf]

https://www.freedomboatclub.com/learning-center/---crossing-over--safely---five-important-tips-for-crossing-wake

I follow this method when crossing barge/cruiser wakes. But as others said trim down and and slowly ride over them if overtaking, or being overtook. Takes some sawing of the wheel