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Author Topic:   So how far off the stern is "Far enough"?

Drisney posted 07-01-2002 12:46 PM ET (US)
This talk of passing close to the stern of a vessel makes me wonder, how close can I follow you before you get nervous? When coming in off the bay when the weather has picked up, I will quite often tuck in behind a larger vessel to let them smooth out the bumps for me. (I am in a 16 Whaler CC) Sometimes I get kinda worried looks from the skipper I am following. I make eye contact and nod, keeping one hand on wheel one on throttle, which is how I drive) when they look back. Dave
Bigshot posted 07-01-2002 02:52 PM ET (US)
They should be used to that if they drive a lot. I stay behind enough that it is smooth but still behind the "roostertail" of course. Sometimes I have to drop back pretty far because his wake catches the wind and sends spray all over me. I like to be dry more than comfortable.
Louie Kokinis posted 07-01-2002 05:31 PM ET (US)
Drisney: How much room makes you feel uncomfortable about an operator you don’t know from Adam (or Heineken) zooming towards your transom?
It makes life easier for everyone if you just hang back till there is enough room to safely pass or create enough distance for safety. What if…
A) He has debris ahead? If it’s a large boat or ship (especially in shallow water) it will be thrown at you, worse if he misses something you most likely wont.
B) Someone falls overboard? If you don’t kill or injure them, you will definitely lose any time saved by having to rescue them.
C) He has to stop? If your boat is smaller then odds are you can stop or veer off. If he’s smaller your whaler has a new hood ornament.
D) Another guy who is coming from the blindside decides to jump his wake right onto your boat? Ouch.
E) What if your steering cable breaks and the other guy didn’t really want an open transom?

Louie
Louie Kokinis posted 07-01-2002 05:47 PM ET (US)
Oops..

We regularly have smaller boats follow us through rough inlets. We always have them on VHF, and keep an eye out for them till we clear the rough water. I don’t think getting within a couple boat lengths behind another boat is a good idea unless the skipper ahead agrees and is communicating with you.
NEVER SCARED posted 07-01-2002 06:04 PM ET (US)
What difference does it make to the followee? As long as your not bumping his stern. Riding in front of someone, may need permission, but not following. They usually look at you cause they think your F&G or some kind of water cop! Both use whalers a lot. If someone wants to take shelter in my wake, follow away!
Louie Kokinis posted 07-01-2002 07:05 PM ET (US)
Never Scared:
Communication (not permission) ensures a few things. First (and probably most important) is the security presented by the lead boat both slowing down and watching out for the smaller vessel in its wake. Second, in real ugly stuff (especially if your family is in a 16 footer or less) the distance will have to be very close – so close, that the lead boat (if spooked by your presence) may leave you behind :(
Drisney posted 07-01-2002 11:22 PM ET (US)
I am very comfortable with the distance I follow and have enough room to maneuver if anything changes. The problems you are describing Louie would occur only if my bow was bumping his transom....lol
Dave
Louie Kokinis posted 07-02-2002 03:06 AM ET (US)
Guys, sorry about the misunderstanding. I was referring to boaters who love to jump wakes within a boat length of the transom, and small boats following larger ones through really rough stuff (for safety not comfort). Clearly a brain fart on my behalf :(
Louie

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Author	Topic: So how far off the stern is "Far enough"?
Drisney	posted 07-01-2002 12:46 PM ET (US) This talk of passing close to the stern of a vessel makes me wonder, how close can I follow you before you get nervous? When coming in off the bay when the weather has picked up, I will quite often tuck in behind a larger vessel to let them smooth out the bumps for me. (I am in a 16 Whaler CC) Sometimes I get kinda worried looks from the skipper I am following. I make eye contact and nod, keeping one hand on wheel one on throttle, which is how I drive) when they look back. Dave
Bigshot	posted 07-01-2002 02:52 PM ET (US) They should be used to that if they drive a lot. I stay behind enough that it is smooth but still behind the "roostertail" of course. Sometimes I have to drop back pretty far because his wake catches the wind and sends spray all over me. I like to be dry more than comfortable.
Louie Kokinis	posted 07-01-2002 05:31 PM ET (US) Drisney: How much room makes you feel uncomfortable about an operator you don’t know from Adam (or Heineken) zooming towards your transom? It makes life easier for everyone if you just hang back till there is enough room to safely pass or create enough distance for safety. What if… A) He has debris ahead? If it’s a large boat or ship (especially in shallow water) it will be thrown at you, worse if he misses something you most likely wont. B) Someone falls overboard? If you don’t kill or injure them, you will definitely lose any time saved by having to rescue them. C) He has to stop? If your boat is smaller then odds are you can stop or veer off. If he’s smaller your whaler has a new hood ornament. D) Another guy who is coming from the blindside decides to jump his wake right onto your boat? Ouch. E) What if your steering cable breaks and the other guy didn’t really want an open transom? Louie
Louie Kokinis	posted 07-01-2002 05:47 PM ET (US) Oops.. We regularly have smaller boats follow us through rough inlets. We always have them on VHF, and keep an eye out for them till we clear the rough water. I don’t think getting within a couple boat lengths behind another boat is a good idea unless the skipper ahead agrees and is communicating with you.
NEVER SCARED	posted 07-01-2002 06:04 PM ET (US) What difference does it make to the followee? As long as your not bumping his stern. Riding in front of someone, may need permission, but not following. They usually look at you cause they think your F&G or some kind of water cop! Both use whalers a lot. If someone wants to take shelter in my wake, follow away!
Louie Kokinis	posted 07-01-2002 07:05 PM ET (US) Never Scared: Communication (not permission) ensures a few things. First (and probably most important) is the security presented by the lead boat both slowing down and watching out for the smaller vessel in its wake. Second, in real ugly stuff (especially if your family is in a 16 footer or less) the distance will have to be very close – so close, that the lead boat (if spooked by your presence) may leave you behind :(
Drisney	posted 07-01-2002 11:22 PM ET (US) I am very comfortable with the distance I follow and have enough room to maneuver if anything changes. The problems you are describing Louie would occur only if my bow was bumping his transom....lol Dave
Louie Kokinis	posted 07-02-2002 03:06 AM ET (US) Guys, sorry about the misunderstanding. I was referring to boaters who love to jump wakes within a boat length of the transom, and small boats following larger ones through really rough stuff (for safety not comfort). Clearly a brain fart on my behalf :( Louie