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At Freedom Boat Club, we are major advocates and teachers of boating safety. Every member goes through classroom and 1:1 on-water training with our captains before taking out a boat for the first time. Our goal is to ensure our members are both safe and confident on the water.
One of the most important lessons we teach our members is how to safely approach and cross the wake of another’s boat.
For many newer boaters, “crossing over” the wake is a scary proposition, and for good reason. Did you know that improper wake crossing is the second leading cause of personal injury to boaters and their guests, following only behind dock-related injuries sustained by falling during boat entry or exit? Improper wake crossing due to high speeds (which is the biggest problem) or approaching the wake from the wrong angle can result in serious injury including spinal compression and disc hernias, among others.
Let’s talk about what you can do to safely cross the wake of another boat, as this knowledge will hopefully inspire greater confidence when you’re at the helm and taking responsibility for the safety of your crew.
The minute you realize you will be crossing a wake, let your passengers know. Make sure they are all securely seated and aware.
Do this as safely possible. The further you are away from the boat that is producing the wake, the smaller the wake becomes. Be sure to stay within the channel and be aware of other boat activity in the area.
If your boat is on plane, reduce your speed to where the boat just comes off plane. This will lift the bow up and help to create a “cushioned effect” on the wake. This “bow high” position also reduces the chance of “diving the bow” onto the second wave.
Do NOT turn into the wake, but continue heading parallel to the other boat. This allows the boat to “roll” a bit over the wake … vs “jumping over” it. By staying parallel to the other boat, it also keeps you positioned correctly on your side of the channel.
Knowing and practicing these five important safety tips and employing them regularly will go a long way to keeping you and your crew safe on the water.
Our mantra: WAKE UP and SLOW DOWN!
Be safe and have fun!
More women than ever before have discovered the boating lifestyle. Whether at the helm or as a valued second mate, they are enjoying the benefits of boating. Here are some great tips from some seasoned female skippers who train hundreds of women each year as part of the Freedom Boat Club DIVA program.
Nothing beats getting out on the water and making memories that last a lifetime with those you love. When a child enters the family, it makes sense that you want to start sharing those special times with them too! As you can imagine, there are definitely some challenges involved with bringing your toddler on board, but with a few tips and tricks, and a positive attitude, you can start creating those everlasting memories!
Every time you go out boating, you should be sure to take the following items in a “Go Bag” or “Ditch Bag”.
Keep your bag in the same place in your house, somewhere easily accessible, so you will be sure to grab it every time you go boating.
Always keep it fully stocked — never “borrow” items from it for home use!