Last season I ran behind a tug boat for a while and then passed it on the Delaware and that was some wake it put out. I was very impressed on how the my 31PC just got up the wake and came down with no shake or rattle. My question to people who boat on the Delware and anyone that might have experience in this situation is how often do you run into tug boats or ships on the Delaware? Any specific time of the week or the day? How do you handle their wakes?
Delaware River/Bay
- Thread starter LBI4fun
- Start date
WE RUN INTO TUGBOATS ALL DAY LONG ON THE THREE RIVERS IN PITTSBURGH. NEVER PASS THEM FROM BEHIND UNLESS YOU ARE PRETTY FAR AWAY. THEY HAVE STRONG UNDERCURRENT AS MUCH AS 100 YDS. BEHIND THEIR TOW WHEN FULLY LOADED. I'VE SEEN WAVERUNNERS GET INTO TROUBLE, AND BOATS SEEM TO LOOSE THEIR STEERING WHEN REAL CLOSE. GOOD LUCK.
Been on the Delaware the for the past 15 years , so I've seen a few tugs. No biggy , unless I go by them at a fast enough to maintain steerage at all times , I've never had a problem. Only one time when my son , who was 12 or 13 at the time , was operating our 17 footer and put the bow through the wake instead of over it :
. Thank goodness it was hot out that day , it felt good ;D ;D
. Thank goodness it was hot out that day , it felt good ;D ;DLBI4fun said:
Last year I ran the river from cape may to CnD canal 3 times. all three times ran across a huge freighter. The river and bay were wide enough that we were able to stay way out of the shipping channel. some of the newer freighters dont throw big wakes. When up river in the narrow part, I think they go alot slower and less wake.
They were not bad, far enough apart, llike rollers in the ocean about 3 to 4 feet. Take your time, keep the bow up.
I've never seen a ship in the river throwing a big wake. They probably slow down. Never seen them moving at any great rate of speed. Tugs , on the other hand , by themselves (no tow) and in a hurry in emptier parts of the river(like NOT Penns Landing) can kick up some pretty good water. I've seen the most while running during the week.
Also , as you approach from the rear , you will find ground swells probably 1/2 a mile behind them , leading all the way up to them.
Also , as you approach from the rear , you will find ground swells probably 1/2 a mile behind them , leading all the way up to them.