Power turning

[lucky7t]

Ok after reading previous posts I felt like an idiot and have since refrained from these but had an issue and wanted advise.

We were surfing and my wife fell. I dropped to neutral, slowly turned around and holy moly the waves were huge so gassed it to lift bow up and I was turning.

Any suggestions how to avoid swamping ?

[NautiqueJeff]

Turn the other direction.

[Nautiquehunter]

When the surfer falls pull throttle back to idle and turn to the high side of the boat [For reg turn starboard goofy turn port] Let the wave catch up to the boat it will spin the boat as it passes then idle back to the fallen surfer.

[HS]

Right: when the rider falls pull back the throttle and let the wave pass you from the stern, then when you turn back there is no wave (or less of a wave) to cross.

In the "friends don't let friends power-turn" video, they promote this technique for "killing" your WB wake before turning to pick up your fallen rider. I use this technique and it works, and you end up not sending a huge power turn wake accross the entire lake!

Experienced sailors and cruisers use technique to kill their wakes before entering a quiet anchorage as a courtesy to those moored or on anchor.

[Chexi]

Also, right when you are first stopping, give it a little gas for just a second as your wake catches your stern to avoid swamping the stern.

[lucky7t]

Thank you for the help. I'll give it a shot this weekend

[johnboyy7]

its really easy and i feel certain you will like it due to how much easier it is for the driver. it really will spin your boat around. its also easy to teach your other drivers... come out the gas, turn wheel all the way to high side.

[DanielC]

And now a dissenting opinion. Wake surfing pretty much kills all the smooth water to the sides of the boat, and leaves rollers behind the boat the entire length of the boats path.
Here in Oregon they are starting to ban wake enhancing devices on rivers, and restrict many other places to 5 MPH only. Many dock owners are starting to pressure legislative changes to reduce the damage caused by wake surfing wakes.
Wake surf far away from docks, and other structures in the water. You are responsible for damage caused by your wakes.

[TxJole]

Can they ban live wells in bass boats? That is add ballast??? Always wondered that?

[lucky7t]

I would never surf near a dock or other structures. Our boat is on a lift and I know how much damage they cause. We had some moron decide to drive a huge scarab at 30 mph through the marina and caused a lot if damage. Alcohol and big boats don't mix well. Banning wake enhancing devices? That sucks.

[Nautiquehunter]

Its all about ignorance and edicate for the driver. Are they going to ban 24' plus footers that cruise at 15mph. Banning wake enhancing devices makes as much sense as banning guns. The real answer is education for drivers.