light chop question

[stubbsboogie]

So we are headed to St. Augustine for the labor day weekend. Marine forcast says seas 2-3ft. Inland waters light chop. We have done this many times, so I am not at all concerened with a light chop. My question is, is there a formula for exact wave hights that constitutes a light chop versus medium, versus severe. Example
light is =1ft
moderate=2 ft

Just wondering because we got into a discussion and I was not sure what the answer was.
Thanks guys

 

[ezmobee]

Re: light chop question

No idea, but I do know that when the forecast calls for >10MPH winds I tend to consider staying home.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: light chop question

If you're talking about inland waters (in the ICW vs. offshore), the light to moderate chop deals more with duration to breakover vs. actual height. If there are white caps in the river, that is considered a moderate chop. If is just small, rapid waves without breakover, that is a light chop.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: light chop question

Absolutley ez! It is no fun to be in that much sea. We are planning to steer clear of the open ocean, calling for 3-5 ft swells. Keeping to the ICW and matanzas river. Plenty of places to go.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: light chop question

If you're talking about inland waters (in the ICW vs. offshore), the light to moderate chop deals more with duration to breakover vs. actual height. If there are white caps in the river, that is considered a moderate chop. If is just small, rapid waves without breakover, that is a light chop.

Cool great info. Didn't realize it was about duration. I don't think I would like the ICW with white caps! At least not in a boat our size. Not unsafe, just unfun.

 

[oops!]

Re: light chop question

when we did the sea reports on the radio in victoria be....we allways said chop height....one foot ...two foot.
moderate and light were too vague

 

[Fireman431]

Re: light chop question

Not unsafe, just unfun.

Pretty much sums it up. I'm a little luckier. Moderate chop doesn't mean much. It's the heavy winds that bug me when it's time to back into a slip. It's like trying to move plywood in the wind.

 

[dingbat]

Re: light chop question

when we did the sea reports on the radio in victoria be....we allways said chop height....one foot ...two foot.
moderate and light were too vague

The west coast has an entirely different wave set than the East. The height has little bearing on the severity. I?d take a light, two foot chop over a moderate or heavy one foot chop in a heartbeat. Hard to even standup in a heavy chop, no matter what the wave height is.

 

[ziggy]

Re: light chop question

perhaps this will help clarify....

http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

google beaufort wind scale for more info..

 

[JoLin]

Re: light chop question

perhaps this will help clarify....

http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

google beaufort wind scale for more info..

Thanks- I was having a senior moment and couldn't remember the name 'beaufort'

 

[ziggy]

Re: light chop question

Thanks- I was having a senior moment and couldn't remember the name 'beaufort'

don't feel bad. i get them too.

just last weekend i went out on a much bigger lake than i normally do. so i had just researched beaufort so i could determine was getting ito. the winds were pretty strong around here last weekend....

 

[sasto]

Re: light chop question

The "light chop" you expierence in.. that part... that day, should be a welcome. 10 kt. winds, 85 degrees, high humidy. Enjoy that day of a chop which is less than a foot.

 

[dingbat]

Re: light chop question

perhaps this will help clarify....

http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

google beaufort wind scale for more info..

That chart would work on a lake or the open water of the ocean but once you introduce tide into the equalation all bets are off. It doesn't address the issue of tide or wind direction which are major players in tidal areas.

 

[sasto]

Re: light chop question

You are going to get more than a light chop from the other boaters. Enjoy yourself.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: light chop question

...equalation...

I'm calling B.S.!! That's not even a word!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: light chop question

That chart would work on a lake or the open water of the ocean but once you introduce tide into the equalation all bets are off. It doesn't address the issue of tide or wind direction which are major players in tidal areas.

your right. it (the beaufort wind scale) don't address tide or direction. it is a method of est. wind strength. so if the op knows what the est. winds are that day. he can est. how the seas will appear with a given wind speed. yes, for open water...

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: light chop question

perhaps this will help clarify....

http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

google beaufort wind scale for more info..

Great link! Being an inland river boater I had never heard of the beaufort scale. That helps a lot. Thanks again guys.