At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

[oldjeep]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

As long as the water is reasonably calm, I can "steer" from the back of the boat by shifting weight from one side of centerline to the other. I've used this method hours on end while trolling unaccompanied.

Funny thing is that if you get people situated so that the boat is listing to one side in the no wake, it makes it a lot easier to make the boat track straight.

 

[dingbat]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

Funny thing is that if you get people situated so that the boat is listing to one side in the no wake, it makes it a lot easier to make the boat track straight.

No need to shift people. One foot on each side of the centerline and lean in the direction I want to go. Then again, most don't have 40degrees of deadrise on a bow that sits 8" lower in the water than the transom.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

Welcome to the V- hull low speed wander! They all do it. Install Smart Tabs

Just curious about the physics of the process: How do smart tabs prevent low speed wander, assuming that the low speed is below the planing speed which is where it occurs?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

Just curious about the physics of the process: How do smart tabs prevent low speed wander, assuming that the low speed is below the planing speed which is where it occurs?

They offer two points of drag that are away from the centerline. You would get the same affect with 2 drift socks, one tied to each rear cleat. In my case, I had a really short (13 foot) bowrider that had an extreme wander. It would turn itself 90 degrees if you let it, you HAD to correct it. With the tabs, it was dead straight.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

I've never heard that ... no wake, has always meant no wake (insert period).

Nope safe steerage is always assumed whenever operating a vessel. What are you gonna do? Float downstream without any ability to steer your craft because a sign said no?

Good thing they dont have "Jump Immediately Over Cliff" signs

 

[H20Rat]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

I've never heard that ... no wake, has always meant no wake (insert period).

Some 'no wake' zones are pretty much impossible for most boats. A local river has some no-wake zones, problem is the current can be around 4 mph in those areas. So if you crawl along at 6 mph (2 mph ground speed), most boats will still put out a substantial wake. Even a ground speed of zero will generate a wake in that area!

 

[MJG24]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

So if you crawl along at 6 mph (2 mph ground speed), most boats will still put out a substantial wake. Even a ground speed of zero will generate a wake in that area!

You would not generate a wake at a ground speed of zero just drifting with the current. Nor would you generate a '6 mph wake' at 2 MPH.

 

[southkogs]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

You would not generate a wake at a ground speed of zero just drifting with the current. Nor would you generate a '6 mph wake' at 2 MPH.

Hadn't considered rivers ... good call Smokingcrater & MJ. When I looked up TN's rules, the "slowest speed that maintains steerage" definition the OP gave stands.

I'm used to figuring ground speed from the air, but kind of forget about it with boats sometimes.

 

[JEBar]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

as stated in this link .... in North Carolina a no wake speed is defined as: "The slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and which does not produce a wake" .... the "and which does not produce a wake" part would seem complicate things a bit

Jim

 

[dingbat]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

Wake laws vary by state. Maryland doesn't have "no wake" on the books. It's "minimium wake" as defined below

"Minimum wake zone" means a person may not operate or give permission to operate a vessel in excess of the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage under prevailing wind and sea conditions.

They also define speed so you don't have any speed arguments:

"Boat speed" means speed through the water.

 

[JimS123]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

My boat is a deep v and I have no issues that I can't handle. My buddy has nearly the same hull and the first time I went with him he wandered all over zig zag. When i told him to stop steering back and forth he just yelled and said "OK you drive and see if you can do better". So I drove and I DID do better.

I taught him how to drive and he was OK. Then the next time he was back zigzagging again.....you just can't win.

Keep your hand off the wheel! The boat zigs 5 degrees by itself then zags back. By over-steering you add another 20 degrees. At idle you should not have to move the wheel beyond the normal play in the cable. If you do, then there's something wrong with the steering.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

You would not generate a wake at a ground speed of zero just drifting with the current. Nor would you generate a '6 mph wake' at 2 MPH.

yes, you would... People often don't understand currents, and indicated speed vs ground speed. Ground speed of zero means you are traveling 4 mph water speed, in current. If i'm traveling up river at 6 mph indicated speed, I'm starting to plow water fairly nicely, but my ground speed is only 2 mph. Drifting isn't a ground speed of zero, its a ground speed of 4 mph in my example.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

Planing style hulls do this. Just point it in the direction and it will get you there. Or install smart tabs or fork out the cash for a duo-prop or a bravo 3 (which ever power unit you have).

 

[YankeeDiver]

Re: At No wake speed very hard to keep straight

I have found that if i trim all the way up and don't have people in front it is a bit better (gets some of the sharp-V out of the water)

But generally if you just point it straight - the boat will waggle side to side in a 'S' shape -- net result = straight!

Through tight channels it can be a little intimidating to "let go"...but it worked for Luke Skywalker....it can work for you!

This is a great idea. I alway have people sit in the back when I am approaching the slip. I think I will keep them up there and trim up to see if that helps.