How to handle boat wakes in harbor? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

lowprofile · 10-24-2011, 04:01 PM

never had a problem in newport and oside is like glass. out in open water though, just stop paddling and roll with the wave. i usually find myself leaning into it a bit as it goes up it. so if it hits the left, just keep your hips loose and lean to the left a bit as it raises to keep your head and shoulders leven then as it goes down repeat to the other side. shouldnt have any problems.

flying bait · 10-24-2011, 04:36 PM

Why keep your hip loose?

Hunters Pa · 10-25-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bus kid

hang each foot over the side and just roll with it.

Yup. Lowers your center of gravity & acts as stabilizers. & have your paddle in hands to brace/push down on teh water should you start to tip.

lowprofile · 10-25-2011, 01:47 PM

you wont flip on a wake. ipromise

taggermike · 10-25-2011, 02:30 PM

Some bays are easy as they have speed limits or don't have navy or comercial traffic. Like others said stay aware of what is going on around you, lower your center of gravity, and realize you're gonna get a lap full of water no matter how you take the wake. I would recomend just getting used to your kayak first and starting in a calmer bay. Others may back me up or disagree but if you're in the outer portion San Diego Bay and one, or several, of those huge orange "sea tractor" tugs goes by you are in for an adventure. Mike

mazilla · 10-25-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taggermike

Some bays are easy as they have speed limits or don't have navy or comercial traffic. Like others said stay aware of what is going on around you, lower your center of gravity, and realize you're gonna get a lap full of water no matter how you take the wake. I would recomend just getting used to your kayak first and starting in a calmer bay. Others may back me up or disagree but if you're in the outer portion San Diego Bay and one, or several, of those huge orange "sea tractor" tugs goes by you are in for an adventure. Mike

Those are the only things I look out for, even when I had my 19' PB those damned tugs would come flying by on both sides and send you for a ride!

Recently however there was this odd looking ship with a flat(almost to the waterline) deck that was hauling serious ass past a few of us near the Coronado bridge, biggest wakes I've ever been in...PB or otherwise. That thing sent people running from the ferry dock! I swear the wake was so bad it felt like it bounced off the opposite end of the bay and came back after the first set passed.

min-va · 10-25-2011, 02:50 PM

So much great info, thanks!

And yea, just basically i am worry about newport, since is a big harbor, but i think it should be fine, will practice and get use to my kayak in the back bay first.

GregAndrew · 10-24-2011, 05:22 PM

You will learn how to roll with the swells through experience. Part of your ability will rely on the primary and secondary stabilities of your particular yak, and part on your balance. Until then, you will feel more stable by taking them head on.

StinkyMatt · 10-24-2011, 06:02 PM

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

jorluivil · 10-24-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Amish Ed · 10-24-2011, 06:27 PM

The Kid nailed it. Just hang your legs over the sides.

mtnbykr2 · 10-25-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

and Matt is as "proactive" as they come...ROFLMAO

WahooUSMA · 10-25-2011, 07:10 AM

The wakes you see are not the problem. Its the one's that you don't see that turn your trip into a GOAT F*&^.

Handymansd · 10-25-2011, 08:15 AM

take your yak out and play with it under a peir... you will be a pro soon enough... or if you want to be really good, you could also go out to "Wade's" reefs during a big swell, high tide, during the new moon, pulling on hoops... make you an expert in no time!

Bennyblanco · 10-25-2011, 08:36 AM

Best thing that worked for me,was to go out and play In the waves.just you paddle and yak. No gear
Practice entry , ride the waves in,get tossed a few times,feel what is like to get cought sideways.you will get confidence and you will learn how to handle what ever comes your way.all of that while still having fun.

min-va · 10-25-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handymansd

take your yak out and play with it under a peir... you will be a pro soon enough... or if you want to be really good, you could also go out to "Wade's" reefs during a big swell, high tide, during the new moon, pulling on hoops... make you an expert in no time!

That sounds crazy for me

coxtanker421 · 10-26-2011, 08:13 AM

some of you are sick in the head. well most of us are. it depends on yak and rider . my hobie is 36 ' wide . you can stand on it and wiz on a calm day. on the other hand if you have 28 ' wide , like jim would say where your head goes your body will follow. if your leaning off of a narrow yak and wake hits you from the side, yes you could flip. hell i flipped it 1/4 of the times out.

untill i hired a pro and got a few lessons.

William Novotny · 10-25-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

You forgot to add squealing and arm flapping. Can't balance without arm flapping.

10-24-2011, 06:27 PM	#11
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	The Kid nailed it. Just hang your legs over the sides. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

10-25-2011, 07:10 AM	#13
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	The wakes you see are not the problem. Its the one's that you don't see that turn your trip into a GOAT F*&^. __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

10-25-2011, 08:15 AM	#14
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	take your yak out and play with it under a peir... you will be a pro soon enough... or if you want to be really good, you could also go out to "Wade's" reefs during a big swell, high tide, during the new moon, pulling on hoops... make you an expert in no time! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

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10-24-2011, 04:01 PM	#1
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	never had a problem in newport and oside is like glass. out in open water though, just stop paddling and roll with the wave. i usually find myself leaning into it a bit as it goes up it. so if it hits the left, just keep your hips loose and lean to the left a bit as it raises to keep your head and shoulders leven then as it goes down repeat to the other side. shouldnt have any problems.

10-24-2011, 04:36 PM	#2
flying bait Junior Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 14	Why keep your hip loose?

10-25-2011, 01:47 PM	#4
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	you wont flip on a wake. ipromise

10-25-2011, 02:30 PM	#5
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Some bays are easy as they have speed limits or don't have navy or comercial traffic. Like others said stay aware of what is going on around you, lower your center of gravity, and realize you're gonna get a lap full of water no matter how you take the wake. I would recomend just getting used to your kayak first and starting in a calmer bay. Others may back me up or disagree but if you're in the outer portion San Diego Bay and one, or several, of those huge orange "sea tractor" tugs goes by you are in for an adventure. Mike

10-25-2011, 02:50 PM	#7
min-va Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hacienda Heights Posts: 216	So much great info, thanks! And yea, just basically i am worry about newport, since is a big harbor, but i think it should be fine, will practice and get use to my kayak in the back bay first.

10-24-2011, 05:22 PM	#8
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	You will learn how to roll with the swells through experience. Part of your ability will rely on the primary and secondary stabilities of your particular yak, and part on your balance. Until then, you will feel more stable by taking them head on.

10-24-2011, 06:02 PM	#9
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak. Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo. Its called being proactive! It works for me.

10-25-2011, 08:36 AM	#15
Bennyblanco Ironman Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Inland empire Posts: 175	Best thing that worked for me,was to go out and play In the waves.just you paddle and yak. No gear Practice entry , ride the waves in,get tossed a few times,feel what is like to get cought sideways.you will get confidence and you will learn how to handle what ever comes your way.all of that while still having fun.

10-26-2011, 08:13 AM	#17
coxtanker421 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 270	some of you are sick in the head. well most of us are. it depends on yak and rider . my hobie is 36 ' wide . you can stand on it and wiz on a calm day. on the other hand if you have 28 ' wide , like jim would say where your head goes your body will follow. if your leaning off of a narrow yak and wake hits you from the side, yes you could flip. hell i flipped it 1/4 of the times out. untill i hired a pro and got a few lessons.