Swamped - almost

[GNSfishing]

Yesterday my son and I were fishing at point 12 when this large cruiser and I mean large was heading towards Cape Fair marina and what looked like the operator intended a turn towards us instead of turning away from us. The wake was huge and we turned the bow towards it and we had to hold on to prevent being thrown off our seats and out of the boat. We didn't get any water over the nose but if we had the stern towards the wake we'd be swimming, to top it off there was not any numbers on the side of it that we could see and they came back bye doing the same thing, steering towards where we were fishing. I could imagine how hard they were laughing about how they were causing our boat to be tossed around.. We were in a 19 ft champion and they just do not have any freeboard at the transom to speak of. Really guys we have as much right to be out fishing as these big cruisers, wake boats, and these large pontoons with the 300 hp motors that do not care about what their large wakes and the effect they have on other boaters on the water, erosion of the shore line and damage done to docks. The most of these operators care less what damage their large wakes do. I'd always thought that there was a law that you were responsible for the damage the wake your boat produced. If there is a law on the books I have not found it. We need to start a petition drive to our state representatives to get such law on the books and see to it is enforced. We got to get a handle on this problem it is getting out of hand and will get worse as long as we say that the fishermen in the summer time can only be on the water real early or after dark. When it comes down to it we are really the ones who support the local economy's through our tax dollars for conservation on the tackle, license, fuel, boats and other items we purchase through out the year. I've had enough, I want to get something done to control this real problem on our lakes..

[tjm]

51 minutes ago, GNSfishing said:

If there is a law on the books I have not found it.

I have read that Rule 2 of Inland Navigation is used by the Courts,  thing is you have to take the offender  to court for damages and you will need documentation.

I think wrench is on the right track, that's the way I would do it. Boats are mostly designed to ride water at the bow. 45 lessens the chance of stuffing. (at least that is what I was told as a swab)

[fishinwrench]

If you are fairly close to the bank (which you usually are when fishing) then you don't wanna take it "in the rear"!

Taking big wakes from the stern tends to push you hard in the direction the wake is moving and will slam you against the bank, docks, ect. before you can get control of things.

If you are on a bluff bank then you can expect the crests to remain the same distance apart.  But if you are on a slower tapering bank the crests will get closer together as they get closer to shore.  If there isn't enough distance between crests for your boat to fit then that's when stuffing happens.  The transom is on top of a wave when the next one comes along and can't shove the bow upwards.  A 45° angle shortens your boat, but you have to be at the helm with some power behind you to maintain the angle.

If you ever have to drive a giant wake out it is much better to ride the crest than to ride the trough, and try to navigate into open water where the crests get further apart, not towards a bank where they get closer.  

[InPiney]

1 hour ago, GNSfishing said:

Yesterday my son and I were fishing at point 12 when this large cruiser and I mean large was heading towards Cape Fair marina and what looked like the operator intended a turn towards us instead of turning away from us. The wake was huge and we turned the bow towards it and we had to hold on to prevent being thrown off our seats and out of the boat. We didn't get any water over the nose but if we had the stern towards the wake we'd be swimming, to top it off there was not any numbers on the side of it that we could see and they came back bye doing the same thing, steering towards where we were fishing. I could imagine how hard they were laughing about how they were causing our boat to be tossed around.. We were in a 19 ft champion and they just do not have any freeboard at the transom to speak of. Really guys we have as much right to be out fishing as these big cruisers, wake boats, and these large pontoons with the 300 hp motors that do not care about what their large wakes and the effect they have on other boaters on the water, erosion of the shore line and damage done to docks. The most of these operators care less what damage their large wakes do. I'd always thought that there was a law that you were responsible for the damage the wake your boat produced. If there is a law on the books I have not found it. We need to start a petition drive to our state representatives to get such law on the books and see to it is enforced. We got to get a handle on this problem it is getting out of hand and will get worse as long as we say that the fishermen in the summer time can only be on the water real early or after dark. When it comes down to it we are really the ones who support the local economy's through our tax dollars for conservation on the tackle, license, fuel, boats and other items we purchase through out the year. I've had enough, I want to get something done to control this real problem on our lakes..

That might have been the same one headed back because it was headed up toward pt 12 when it got me.  Looked brand new too as I had never seen it on our end before. 

 

[sfiser]

6 hours ago, rps said:

Front toward the wake and either sitting or leaned tightly against the butt seat. I have been thinking about modifying one of those thigh braces fly fishermen use in river boats. Anyone know who where they sell those?

I had Supreme Boats in Mountain Home order me one for my trout boat.  Its got an adjustable seat post on it and a U shaped padded casting brace.  Fits into a normal seat base, you can also turn it around and lean against it kinda like a butt seat.

[fishinwrench]

https://www.lakeexpo.com/boating/boat_crashes/powerboat-overturns-on-gravois-arm-two-people-injured/article_ecfa55e4-aea4-11e8-93d0-834e5e56e893.html

Blasting out of a narrow tributary arm, just expecting everyone to stay out of his way because he's big and loud.... didn't work out. 

Live (thankfully) and learn (hopefully).

How ironic is it that everyone thinks you need a BIG BOAT to handle Lake O, yet the big boats are crashing and capsizing more often than the smaller ones?

[Terrierman]

45 degrees into the wake under only moderate power.  You'll be fine in anything short of a hurricane.

[nomolites]

45 degrees, yes, if necessary add power.  I fish LOZ, and I have 2 3/8 post and a seat designed more to lean back into rather then sit on up front and a 60” shaft on my Ulterra.  I haven’t been pitched out yet and I fish main lake mid-day, but that doesn’t mean I like inconsiderate drivers.  FW nailed it above; the big boys expect YOU to move.....

Mike

[InPiney]

Thanks for your insight crew, I'm afraid things are a changing on our beloved lake. 

 

[Pepe]

On 9/4/2018 at 1:49 PM, GNSfishing said:

most of these operators care less what damage their large wakes do. I'd always thought that there was a law that you were responsible for the damage the wake your boat produced. If there is a law on the books I have not found it. We need to start a petition drive to our state representatives to get such law on the books and see to it is enforced. We got to get a handle on this problem it is getting out of hand and will get worse as long as we say that the fishermen in the summer time can only be on the water real early or after dark. 

You bring up some very good points.  I have extensive experience in Risk Management and dealing with insurance law and insurers standard practices. I hope the following sheds some light on the issue. 

1) New Legislation is not a practical solution.  It is a public waterway and they have as much right to it as anybody else.  New Legislation is not necessary to address the problem, either, as there are ample statutory means for redress of damages incurred. 

2.) Civil law (Torts) provides the means to seek compensation for damages.  We typically carry insurance against most things that would expose us to facing a Civil Court Action;  vehicle and other types of liability insurance being a primary example. 

3.) There are precedent cases in Florida where plaintiffs (the damaged party) have been paid for damages caused by another boats wake. 

https://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazine/2015/october/boat-wake-damage-liability.asp

4.) While a watercraft operator is responsible for his wake, he is also required to consider the effect of his wake in concert with other existing conditions, such as another boats wake and take action to prevent harm. (Standard of Care).

Having said all that, it is by no means an easy, or in my opinion a recommended, process to bring a claim unless there is substantial damage and/or injury.  You are, almost certainly, going to need video recording and the first step would be to make a claim against the offending party’s insurance (not your own). Finding the offending boaters insurer starts with knowing the boats registration number. 

I certainly hope and pray none of us ever encounter serious damage beyond extreme annoyance and taking on water. Avoidance is certainly the most prudent action.