surprised by dolphins

B

BOB TYSON

Active Member
Oct 5, 2017
295
Kansas City
Boat Info
2005 460 Sundancer (SOLD)
Engines
Boatless
We were out yesterday on our new to us Sundancer, in Sarasota Bay and low and behold the dolphins were playing in our wake. We had seen this "video" multiple times but is was a fun experience for us. Glorious day, sunshine and 80 degrees...and dolphins. Dinner with friends who are long time locals, then back to the boat. Up this morning for our first trip from Sarasota to Venice. Nervous about the sand bars but excited to make our first "destination" cruise. Back by 3 for dinner with the Admiral's aunt and long time resident. Just tryin' to live the dream for a few more days until its back home to the frozen tundra..
 
So jealous. Only had one dolphin jump in 2.5 years (and 17 years of boat ownership in FL, and it was one single jump then he disappeared...)!! What speed were you going, my best guess is I’m boating in the wrong areas or I’m going too fast! I’ve heard 10-15 mph is best speed, but I certainly wouldn’t know.
 
Stay within the channel markers and you'll be fine.
 
Carter, Thank you!! I would SO do that but Ill be on my way home. Another time for sure!!
 
Todd320 said:
Are you planning on moving to Sarasota or moving the boat up north?
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Actually, The boat is already at Marina Jacks in Sarasota. The boat was already here when we bought it and I assumed the slip. Fun place!!
 
Oh, and no, will not be moving for a few years. Just quick flights or long drives.
 
Todd320 said:
So jealous. Only had one dolphin jump in 2.5 years (and 17 years of boat ownership in FL, and it was one single jump then he disappeared...)!! What speed were you going, my best guess is I’m boating in the wrong areas or I’m going too fast! I’ve heard 10-15 mph is best speed, but I certainly wouldn’t know.
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Beginners luck for sure!
 
Were headed to Sarasota next week for Spring Break. Luckily my dad just took delivery of a new boat. He sent a video of 3 dolphins right at his swim platform yesterday. Itll be a treat getting out of the snow.
 
Todd320 said:
So jealous. Only had one dolphin jump in 2.5 years (and 17 years of boat ownership in FL, and it was one single jump then he disappeared...)!! What speed were you going, my best guess is I’m boating in the wrong areas or I’m going too fast! I’ve heard 10-15 mph is best speed, but I certainly wouldn’t know.
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Todd,

Try this:

Dolphins have sonic hearing and they react to both sound and water pressure. They love playing in waves/wakes, particularly where they can get lift or elevation to jump out of the water. A fast idle at just about trolling speed is best. They feel the vibration of the engines and will come to your boat if they think you are a fishing boat that might throw by-catch or bait to them. Diesels turn at lower RPMs than gas boats and I can raise them to the surface when a gas boat running at the same speed cannot. To get a jump, the forward wave of your stern wake needs to big......about 1500 rpm is too fast to rain them but if you can get a pod beside your boat then slowly speed up to about 12-15 kts, they will start jumping off the front face of the front wave in. the wake......if they feel playful.

Another spot to observe dolphins is on the bow wake of a large boat making about 15 its. We have several coastal freighters come in our ship channel every day, plus the Navy operates a mines research center here the USAF has a fighter training wing based here. The AF has several 85 ft chase boats that chase down and recover drones and the navy has several 60-80ft supply and transport vessels for their operation. All the DOT vessels are very safe operators and they slow to 12-15 its un the channel or when approaching traffic. Dolphins will follow them in until the slow to a good jumping speed then start playing in the bow wakes. I've had them jump in our wake behind and to the side of our boat, but our bow wake isn't big enough to be fun for them.

I will never admit to how much diesel fuel we've wasted playing with dolphins.
 
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This was my view trying to exit the channel today. A smaller coast guard boat had to clear out the paddle boarders. Still no dolphins, although I wasn’t trying...
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Spending Tommorrow night at marina jacks, on a mooring ball. Will get in mid day. Come on by if your out.

Happydayz is coming by.
 
To FootballFan, CarterChapman and Happydayz:
Timing is everything.. We appreciate the offer! Unfortunately we will be off the boat for the evening. We have guests from the" hinterlands" who will be hanging with us for the day and evening. I now understand what it means to be the "friend/relative with a boat in Florida", ITs been a rain of friends & relatives since we have been here. While that's great, its left little time for us just to tool around and explore. Perhaps coffee or lunch Monday if you'll are around? Lots of cool places in Sarasota? We are scheduled to have the name painted onto the stern Monday morning if the gentleman that is doing it can make it. We are in C-9. IF you are out come by, if not we would love to meet up at your convenience. ( by the way we have no dingy yet so that limits our transport)
Anxious to meeting up with fellow CSR members!!
Bob
 
We are in Sarasota for one night, leaving Monday for Boca Grand to meet up with Carter.

end of the week is up in the air, we may be back through Sarasota on the way back north. Will decide route probably day of departure.

We will be in the mooring field, but will circle around your dock when we come ashore on the dinghy.
 
I’m heading in the opposite direction today, but I appreciate the invite. We are heading to downtown Tampa for a concert and some boating/dinner with friends.
 
AND I’m going to burn some gas trying to get dolphins in my wake! I do recall we saw a pod near the Port of Tampa, so I’m going to try it there!
 
We had the Dolphins in our wake again Sunday in the ICW from Sarasota to Venice. 18-20 MPH. I think Frank is right about the vibrations at certain RPMs.
 
Tried, no luck. But, we did pass a barge, and watched about 20 jumps from one or more dolphins, always made it at least 6’ out if the water, huge bow wave. I was trying 13, 15 and 10 mph, will try 18 next time and stay in the channel. We have dolphin watching boats in our area all the time, maybe I should just follow them and do what they do!
 
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