How big of waves

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How big of waves

Im a NB so go easy on me.before they had GPS ...... It would take hours to find the bank and when you did what side are you on.

as easy as I can be here..... there have been compasses for about 2000 years and they have been common for marine navigation for about 1000 years...... you should always have one on a boat... even if you have gps

I've never come across 50' waves in the ohio yet but yes you are absolutely right a little pond can and will kill you if you don't respect it.... I always tip my hat so there are no misunderstandings.....

 

[petez22]

Re: How big of waves

I love to put both feet in my mouth. at least you went easy

 

[bob johnson]

Re: How big of waves

One "rule of thumb" I have heard is 10' of boat for every foot of wave....

And that's just to have a comfortable sail and not get in over your head.

My 23' has been caught in 5' seas and it was a little hairy...but fun! We only had guys aboard that day. Seems like the gals start yelling anytime the hull pounds...

I find that to be erring on the extreme safe side!!!

Id think a sail boat could normally handle more wave than a power boat...and i certainly think the rule for power boats should be at least 2' of wave per 10' of boat..

unless of course the engine isnt running!!! ha ha
bob

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How big of waves

that rule is worthless without more details..... the style of the wave amount of wind and wave period are VERY important..... 6' waves from a storm in shallow water could be very dangerous in my 28' boat but 6' swells in deep ocean with a very wide spacing could be alot of fun in a small craft
EDIT
6' on lake erie is nasty but 6' swells in open water are fun

 

[dave11]

Re: How big of waves

6' on lake erie is nasty but 6' in the gulf is calm

I raced 30+ foot sailboats for years in Lake Erie out of Mentor Harbor. I am now out in the Gulf if I am on the water. 6 foot seas in the Gulf with the wind and short chop is not calm. The Gulf is similar to Lake Erie in that they are both shallow and can get nasty very very quickly. 6 foot swells are fun. 6 foot chop with 3 or 4 second intervals and wind is not fun in either the Gulf or Lake Erie.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How big of waves

yeah.... that was the point i was trying to make...... you are right though... the gulf was a bad example....