Maintaining displacement speeds is the recommended way to reduce wake while operating a boat. Displacement speed refers to the speed at which the boat efficiently moves through the water while displacing a volume of water equal to its own weight. At these lower speeds, the boat's hull moves through the water in a way that minimizes the creation of large waves, thus producing less wake.
This is particularly important in areas with shallow water, near the shore, or when boating in close proximity to other vessels or wildlife. By operating at or below the displacement speed, the boat generates smaller, less disruptive waves, contributing to a quieter and safer boating environment.
In contrast, operating at high speeds or rapidly changing speeds tends to create larger wakes, which can be hazardous to other boaters, swimmers, and the environment. Using a larger boat may alter the wake generated due to size, but it doesn’t fundamentally change the principles of hydrodynamics that govern wake production. Hence, maintaining displacement speeds is the best practice for wake reduction.