Boats leave wakes. Water fans out from the rear of a moving boat creating a ridge on both sides. Directly behind the boat the water is flat.

Years ago me and my sons would took our boat, a 16ft Semi-V Carolina Skiff with a 40 horsepower motor, out into the Atlantic Ocean. The biggest challenge going into the ocean was getting through the Palm Beach Inlet. All inlets are dangerous, especially for a small boat. Our strategy was to wait for a larger boat to go ahead of us then we would settle behind them in their wake and go out through the inlet. We would follow them into the ocean.

The bigger boat would cut through the choppy waters and provide some protection from boats coming into the inlet from the opposite direction. Sometimes an incoming boat would produce a dangerous cross wake and we would turn into it to keep from taking on water.

The boat we would follow often did not know we were behind them in their wake. They were focusing on passing through the inlet safely too.

We only needed to follow them for 800 yards … just enough to pass through danger safely. We only needed calm waters for 60 seconds or less and we would safely move forward through the inlet.

Did you know that you are leaving a wake. Your family and friends benefit from the path you set over rough waters.

The wake of your life is carrying people you do not even know. It will be brief, but it will be essential to their safe passage. Lead well and influence the next generation by leaving a good wake.

Leave a good wake. It is your legacy.