Researchers study waves created by recreational boats
Findings suggest that wakesurf boats should be operated at greater
distances from shoreline compared to typical recreational boats

Date:
February 1, 2022
Source:
University of Minnesota
Summary:
A new study found that popular wakesurf boats require a greater
distance from the shoreline and other boats compared to more typical
recreational boats. This distance is needed to reduce the potential
impact of their larger waves.



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A new study by researchers in the University of Minnesota College of
Science and Engineering's St. Anthony Falls Laboratory found that popular wakesurf boats require a greater distance from the shoreline and other
boats compared to more typical recreational boats. This distance is
needed to reduce the potential impact of their larger waves.


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The results provide key insights into differences between specialized wakesurfing boats and more typical recreational boats operating on lakes
and rivers. It also provides baseline data that can be used for future decision- making.

Wakesurfing, which requires a boat capable of generating a large
surfing wave, has become a popular pastime for some Minnesotans while
sparking concerns in others about shoreline erosion, water quality,
and safety. However, robust scientific data on the size and impact of
wakesurf boat waves has been lacking.

"Minnesotans love their lakes, and they love their boats," said Jeff
Marr, one of the lead researchers on the study and associate director
of engineering and facilities at the St. Anthony Falls Lab. "Some of my
best memories are of boating, waterskiing, and fishing with family and
friends on lakes. This research isn't about trying to limit enjoyment
of lakes for boaters, but it seeks to provide the data needed to ensure
our lakes can be enjoyed by all for generations to come." In an effort
to provide scientific data on boat-generated waves, the researchers
carefully examined these waves by measuring the maximum height,
total energy, and maximum power of the waves (defined as wake waves)
produced by four recreational boats -- two wakesurf boats and two more
typical recreational boats. Using sensors and data collection hardware,
the researchers also measured how the wake waves changed as they moved
away from the boats and toward shore.

The researchers carried out the evaluation of the four boats in fall
2020 under a range of speeds, weight, and other conditions on Lake
Independence in Maple Plain, Minnesota.



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The findings reveal that wake waves produced by wakesurf boats during wakesurfing are not only higher, but they also require greater distance to decrease to the same height as wake waves from more typical recreational
boats.

This study found that:
* When researchers compared the wake waves of the four boats during
their
most typical mode of operations, the data indicated that
wakesurf boats require distances greater than 500 feet from the
shoreline/docks and other boats (or the distance of a little
less than 1.5 football fields) to decrease their wake wave
characteristics to levels similar to the non- wakesurf boats.

* When researchers compared the wake waves of the four boats under
conditions that generated the largest wake wave, the data indicated
that wakesurf boats require distances greater than 425 feet from
the shoreline/docks and other boats to decrease their wake wave
characteristics to levels similar to the non-wakesurf boats.

* In both modes of operation, the suggested distance from
shoreline/docks
for wakesurf boats is more than twice the distance of the 200
feet currently recommended by Minnesota guidelines for common
recreational boats.

* Under both slow and fast speed conditions, the wakesurf boats
produced
the largest waves in terms of height, energy, and power when
compared to the non-wakesurf boats.

* Larger, more energetic waves need to travel a greater distance to
decrease in wave height, energy, and power.

This report establishes an important baseline for the study of wake
waves produced by wakesurf boats -- a topic of growing interest across
the country.

"We quickly learned that boat wave impacts were not just a Minnesota
concern.

We have received inquiries about our research from many others throughout
the U.S.," said Andy Riesgraf, another lead researcher on the project
and researcher at the University's St. Anthony Falls Lab. "We're hoping
this study will provide a pathway for shared use of our lakes and rivers."
The researchers say this study gives legislators, lake associations, boat manufacturers, and property owners new information about the operation
of wakesurf boats and other recreational boats on Minnesota's lakes.

But the researchers also see it as just the beginning. This foundational
work has been critical as they design further studies, with future
research aimed at propeller wash interactions with lake bottoms and
an examination of the impact of large waves on aquatic vegetation and shorelines.

In addition to Marr and Riesgraf, other professional researchers involved include St. Anthony Falls Lab researchers Dr. William Herb, Dr. Jessica Kozarek, and Matt Lueker, as well as Associate Professor Dr. Kimberly
Hill in the University of Minnesota Department of Civil, Environmental
and Geo- Engineering.

Funding for the research was provided by more than 200 individual
contributions to the St. Anthony Falls Lab's Healthy Waters Initiative.

Report "A Field Study of Maximum Wave Height, Total Wave Energy,
and Maximum Wave Power Produced by Four Recreational Boats on a
Freshwater Lake" https:// conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/226190
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always get wrong about diet and exercise. Claim_yours_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Minnesota. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


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Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220201115250.htm

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