Wakesurf Boat Driving Tips
Often times you will see a boat on a fish get into a pattern of back and forth, with forward and reverse moves as the fish gets closer, losing and gaining line in a cyclical fashion. The fish is doing what we call “pinwheeling,” a typical behavior with tuna. The fish circles with its body turned sideways in the water column and the angler’s line straight up and down. Imagine an upside-down cone, with the boat at the pinnacle on the surface, which is the tip of the rod, and the fish swimming the diameter of the cone in the water column. This practice displays the operator’s lack of competence, experience and understanding of how the boat reacts.
At the same time, having too much fuel can increase the risk of a fire. In general, laws regulate who can operate a boat and where you can go on your boat. Most states prohibit people younger than 18 from driving a boat.
Similarly, throughout the US, there is no age restriction to operate non-powered vessels except for the four states of California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah. In some states like Newyork and Oklahoma, you can start early at the age of 12 but up to 18 years one needs to get a special certification to drive a boat. While anyone above 18 can drive a boat without such a certificate. Different states have different laws in terms of minimum age for boating. For example, the minimum age limit to drive a boat in Arizona is 12 years while 16 in Texas and 18 in Newyork without certification. When approaching large waves, rather than hitting them head on try taking them on at about a 45-degree angle.
When traveling at planning speeds and especially when running at very fast speeds, make steering adjustments slowly and smoothly. Jerking the wheel one way or the other can cause sudden shifts that can catch your passengers unawares, and turning very rapidly at high speeds can be downright dangerous. When driving a boat in close quarters to maneuver up to a dock or into a slip, turn the wheel while the boat is in neutral. Shift into gear until the boat begins to respond as desired, and then shift back into neutral. Eliminating any power or steerage between adjustments allows for much more precise handling.
When in coastal and inshore waters, these preparations can help take the search out of search and rescue. Part of the alert is the MMSI number, which will identify your vessel automatically. Boats 16 feet travel and longer must be equipped with one Type I, II, III, or V personal floatation device plus one Type IV throwable device. Boats that are 16 feet or less must have one Type I, II, III or V PFD for each person aboard. All boats must be equipped with one Type I, II, III, or V personal floatation device for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and longer must also be equipped with a Type IV throwable device.
This is huge because it means the back of the boat will swing when you use reverse to slow down to pick up a skier, park the boat at a dock, or put the boat on the trailer. Find a position where you can secure your elbow, it may be by your side squished between your side and the boat. When your elbow is free, it will move when you change speeds, which will reduce your finesse and smoothness with the throttle. This is based on my personal experience with a variety of tournament ski boats, other boats and brands may vary.