Dedicated
to
Michigan's
Huron River

What part of “No Wake” don’t you understand?

I think it was “free boating for stupid people” on the Huron River this weekend. Especially those too stupid to be able to read the “no wake” signs. It appears that they also brought their brothers who might be able to read but just didn’t give a darn!

This one is really a no brainer, folks. Most of the Huron is a “no wake” zone for good reason.

In narrow creeks and coves, boat wakes contribute to shoreline erosion. Although this loss of land is a problem for shorefront property owners, it also affects boaters. Eroded sediments create unwanted shoals, cause shallowing of navigational channels, cut off light to underwater life and can actually kill larval forms of many of our aquatic species. All this creates tremendous problems for the aquatic ecosystem.

In addition, your wake can cause damage to other boats, structures along the shore, and, in some cases injury to people. An excellent example of this today as a large “bass boat” came out of a channel and accelerated past a group of kayaks. A huge wake from a boat in transition can have a significant impact on a kayak only 10 yards away!

WHAT BOATERS CAN DO

WATCHING YOUR SPEED

As a boat operator, it can be easy to control your wake.  Understanding the speeds under which your boat operates is the first step.

Displacement Speed- This is the slowest speed for most motor boats.  It also creates the least wake.  The boat operates with the bow down in the water.

Transition Speed-  As you increase the power while attempting to get on plane, the bow rises, causing the stern to plow through the water.  This speed creates the largest wake.

Planing Speed-  At planing speed, the bow drops back down and only a little of the hull contacts the water.  This speed creates less wake than transition speed, but more than displacement.  Many large craft are not designed to reach this speed.

Often a boat operator can cause a large wake unintentionally.  He or she may drop to transition speed instead of down to displacement speed, and actually increase wake size.  It's easy to avoid this pitfall, though.  Just make a habit of checking your wake (or have a passenger check it), especially as it hits the shore.  Slow down far enough in advance of sensitive areas to give yourself time to drop all the way to displacement speed.  This will minimize your wake's impact.

LIMITING YOUR WAKE

Along with the rule, here are some other simple ways you can help to limit your wake:

•Always be aware of your wake, especially when changing speeds or navigating in shallow waters. (Which can make wake larger).
•A little extra speed can create a lot of extra wake, so slow down enough to eliminate your wake when required.
•Trim tabs will help keep you boat level and will limit your time in transition speed.
•Boat in deeper waters, and avoid getting too close to other boats or the shore.
•Position passengers throughout the boat.  A heavy stern will increase wake size.
•Your wake moves out at right angles from your boat, so slow down well before you are abeam of another boat or other structure to avoid a following wake.

Personally, when I see someone exceeding the “no wake” speed, I’ve taken to blocking the river with my pontoon and explaining politely, and in depth, that it is a “no wake” zone, why it is a no wake zone, defining the word “wake” if necessary, and in some cases, defining the word “no”.

Do your part, friends.... keep the wake to a minimum whenever the wake will reach the shore, or disrupt another boat. And don’t be afraid to let others know about the damage and potential harm they are doing.  You'll save the shoreline, a possible boating ticket, maybe even a life.