44 BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS Running with Wind and Waves


When strong winds and large waves are coming from behind, there is a risk of running down the front side of a wave and burying the bow in the backside of the next wave. If it appears that the bow will hit and possibly bury, immediately throttle back. If no action is taken, the boat could continue to submarine under the wave, swamping the boat. If the boat buries its bow at an angle, people could be thrown out, or the boat could corkscrew and flip over. To avoid this situation, run at slower speed to match the speed of the waves, maintaining a position just behind the crest.


Another situation to avoid is jumping off wave tops at high speed and making a hard landing, which could injure people on board or cause damage to the boat. You should run at a slower speed to get a softer ride. In large waves, which are widely spaced apart and not breaking, you can work your way through them by angling over the wave top to avoid falling off them.


Running Sideways to Wind and Waves


Running sideways to wind and waves will give you a softer ride, but as waves get larger, there is a risk of the boat rolling over or corkscrewing out of control.


Steer boat in trough or backside of wave to reduce rolling.


Backside Trough WIND & WAVES 3 Motion from


front side of wave can cause excessive rolling.


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Steer straight up the backside of a wave.


As you near the wave top, steer at an angle to stay in contact with the wave as you pass over it.


As you near the end of the front side of the wave, straighten your course to steer up the backside of the next wave.


Safety Tip for Inlets


Large waves are frequently encountered in inlets, especially with an outgoing (ebbing) current and wind blowing onshore. If the inlet is too rough, it’s safer to remain offshore and wait for slack water or less wind.


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