Enjoying the Dolphins playing in my bow wave

[sce56]

Run time: 03:41 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVnXXu2_n9U   Posted on YouTube: February 02, 2009 By YouTube Member: sce56 Views on YouTube: 970   Posted on DU: February 02, 2009 By DU Member: sce56 Views on DU: 669

 
An amazing sight to see about 30 Dolphins were hunting when I ran across the pod. I came across them three times as I was sailing through the bay. I would love to know why they like to do that? Race the bow that is and I'm sorry for the poor quality of the YouTube it looks much better in the original QuickTime. It is a shame that these beautiful beings have to face tough times while they suffer from our arrogance in polluting their home waters.

[Snarkoleptic]

1. Too cool.

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. They like to do it cause it's fun.

Here's a neat vid of Dolphins surfing, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. It gets really interesting at the 1:20 mark. Near the end of the video is underwater footage of some Dolphins riding a bow wave.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWauuX_1KH8

Looks like you had a cool experience.

[sce56]

11. Here is what I found doing a google and yes it was a fun trip but a lot of work and excersices can't

wait to get her in the water again

Dolphins surf for fun



Dolphins cavorting in the NOAA Ship Rude’s bow wake
Q: Why do Dolphins like to swim in the front of the ship bow? --M. Kelvin Harris, Cambridge, England

A: They like to play! Sailors onboard a speedy ship watch them cavort for an hour or more without ever losing sight of a school.

Dolphins cavorting in the NOAA Ship Rude's bow wake

Dolphins follow an undulating path as they swim: continually rising to breathe, dipping down, and rising again. Usually only the head surfaces. They leap out of the water and curve over in an arc to go fast. The less time in the water, the faster they can speed.

Among the fastest whales, common dolphins cruise at about 5 knots (6 mph) and can swim at 20 knots (24 mph) for long distances. What they really like, though, is surf the bow wave much as we humans bodysurf. They hold their bodies at an angle and use them as a surfboard, hardly swimming at all, yet going faster than they can under their own steam.

[tularetom]

3. Maybe from their vantage point your hull looks like a giant dolphin

I dunno but that's a cool video.

Couple of questions. Where was that filmed? I had a similar experience years ago off Point San Luis in SLO County. And is that hum un the background an engine? Just trying to gauge the speed of the dolphins.

[sce56]

4. Santa Monica Bay heading towards Malibu

I was on the second day of a trip out of Dana Point the wind was weak and head on most of the way so I was using the 10Hp outboard at a low speed at this time my speed was about 7MPH according to GPS. Shortly after that was taken the wind really picked up and I was able to kill the motor and sailed on through the night arriving N of Port Hueneme about 5am. This was on my 27' 1974 Morgan!

[sce56]

7. You think this looks like a dolphin?

Well maybe....

[tularetom]

9. No, but I'm not looking at it from below through a couple feet of water

But it does make me feel sad that I let my wife talk me into selling my boat before I retired.

Sigh...

[sce56]

10. OOPS! Well I don't have that problem she got rid of me before I bought my new love!

But I'm prepared to find a new first mate!

And here is too a great maiden cruise!

[bertman]

5. Beautiful!! Thanks for the video, sce56. I've seen them many times while fishing in the

Gulf Stream. I've never seen anyone who wasn't thrilled to watch them cavort around the boat like that.

[underpants]

6. Sailing

I haven't been sailing since we were in Key West in '02

buddy of mine had a 26 footer that we used to go out on...just loved it. Every part of it.

That is excellent.

[sce56]

8. Well I just got Liberty she won many races in her day if I become a better sailor she might just win

again.

Loading her on the trailer










Yeah I know she looks crooked it was low tide and the first time I ever loaded her and I did it all by myself!

[goforit]

12. Adorable!! wish I could be there.