Strike four for Patrick's theory (actuall more more than that including my off line responses). It is not only the wake, but the displacement of water, which may not show a large surfact wake. The Sailbaot has a resposibility--bet asfar out of the way as possiable, and come to a stop ( or circle to that he hits the wake head on). There are many areas that have the speed restriction: "NO WAKE ZONE" Idle speed only tp ,eaomtaom steerage wau/ This is interupted to mean the slowest speed at at which you can turn your boat to avoid another object. In twin screw boats, it may mean using only one prop, then the other to steer. Having been on the recieving end of this wake situation many times--having breakfast and dinner spilled on the floor, I can certainy undertand the ire of those sail boaters. This lack of consideration gives power boats a very bad name.. The same is cuting through racng sailboat fleets. If possiable go well astern. If you must do through a group, attempt to beind , slowly and to the down wind side. A small boat can be capsized by the wind shadow of a large power boat (a child is hiking out in a good wind, all of asudden--no wind, and over he/she boes. The other side of the coin is wht can the power vesel do to be a good neighbor? Slow down as much as possiable, steer to be as far for these boats as possiable. If passing anothe boat, hail them, so would yo mind stopping or slowing down, so I can get by with out distrubing you. Being on the water is a co operative adventure. When you pas and tug and tow you shoud ask the same questions and" is is t save to pass" Whch side shall I pass on (they will answer in Whistles (1 left, 2right), they may slow, so you can get around as quickly. Watch where the bow or stern of the tow is swinging. The tug may tell you to speed up or show down--keep radio communicationions. Bob Austin, 30 foot single diesel aft cabin Carver Pensacola, FL.