Alabama Boating License Practice Test 2025 - Free Boating License Practice Questions and Study Guide

Handling wakes from other boats requires a technique that ensures both the safety of your crew and the integrity of your boat. The recommended approach is to angle the boat towards the wake and slow down as you cross it. This method is effective because it allows the hull to rise and fall with the waves, reducing the stress on the boat and the risk of taking on water. By slowing down, you decrease the impact when the boat lands after crossing the wake, which provides for a smoother transition and better control.

This technique also enhances stability in the boat, helping to prevent swamping and keeping the crew secure. It’s critical to maintain a steady course rather than trying to rush past, which can lead to a harsher impact and potentially unsafe conditions. The other strategies, such as speeding up, turning sharply, or changing direction abruptly, may lead to an unstable situation that could jeopardize the safety of everyone on board.