Ongoing research into Powerboats and their Wake
- Dustin Ford
- Sep 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Power boats are some of the most popular watersports commodities at the moment. Their robust engines and unique design bring a new life to sports like surfing. Any powerboat owner will tell you that these machines are incredibly powerful and need to be used responsibly when surfing or towing. Historically, wakeboard boaters have had to take additional care to prevent damage to property and persons. However, recent studies suggest that these additional precautions might not be enough.
Powerboats can plane just like every other boat, with minimal effect on wake. They can also use a semi-displacement mode (or surf mode) to maximize the waves at the bow of the boat. In shallow waters, the wake made by surfing can cause damage to property and the local ecosystem. Most boaters know this already, as many powerboats stay 200 feet away from shores, property, or other watercraft. However, recent studies have challenged our previous understanding of what was happening under the water.
Under the water
When operating at semi-displacement mode, these boats have the power to disturb the lakebed at depths over 20 feet. A recently published study done by the University of Michigan shows what type of damage this can cause at shallow depths. Cameras placed at 14 feet below a wakesurf boat show that the force generated creates an upheaval of the lakebed. Sediment is thrown violently upward, and plant life is uprooted. At 9 feet, the lakebed is almost unrecognizable from what it was a few seconds prior.
There are three big takeaways as to why disturbing the lakebed lie this is harmful:
The uprooting of vegetation will kill it. These plants cannot always regain composure, and often can no longer provide shelter and food for local wildlife. This also leaves the bed weaker and susceptible to erosion.
This can weaken thermal stratification, or the process by which a lake forms different layers of water based on temperature and depth. When this happens, it upsets how oxygen cycles throughout the lake. This can kill aquatic life and stress the balance of the lake’s ecosystem.
The upheaval of sediment scatters nutrients throughout the lake, nutrients like phosphorus. The result fuels rapid algal blooms.
Conclusion
Many powerboat owners are aware of the impact of their watercraft, but this research suggests the previous recommendations for powerboating may not be enough to preserve the lake. This study suggests the following:
Remain in a depth greater than 10 feet when planing.
Do not exceed no-wake speeds when at a depth below 10 feet.
Keep an even further distance from shores and plant life.
Only surf (or use semi-displacement mode) when in a depth of at least 20 feet.
The Paw Paw Lake Association recommends that all wake surfing be done in the center of the lake where the water is deepest. You’ll find a map of our suggested surfing locations below.
This study shines a new light on all boaters; we can affect our lake every day. What kind of an impact are you making?
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