Weather Bomb

[CaptainBW]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

And I always thought the Great Lakes were relatively tame compared with the ocean. Thanks for the info...

Actually, I have talked to several people that do deliveries between the Virgin Islands and the states, and also sail Lake Erie. They have said that the worst weather they ever sailed in was Lake Erie, and if you can sail the Great Lakes ... you can sail anywhere.

I have been on Lake Erie in 14 foot waves as a ferry boat passenger and sailed in 9-10 footers. The lake can be a kick some butt!

[cfarrar]

The Arthur Anderson's claim of 30-35 foot waves was based on the fact that two waves in a row brought green water over their poop deck, which was 30 feet above the water line.

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

And I always thought the Great Lakes were relatively tame compared with the ocean. Thanks for the info...

That's a mistake some people make. Anything that large can create large fetch.

Great photo of the lighthouse. Mother Nature can be so beautiful in her fury...........i2f

[Capt Phil]

Thanks to all for enlightening this old west coast skipper... Capt Phil

[Jesse]

Hmmm, just wondering if the steepness of the waves would be effected by the density of the water? I know I sure float a lot better in salt water.

[captain58sailin]

The steepness is affected by the angle of the bottom coming up to the surface and the actual depth of the water. Waves are caused by the friction between the wind and the water. I don't know if there ever has been a study on the friction differentials between the wind and salt water, versus the wind and fresh water. There might be some difference due to the specific gravities.

[captainstubbie]

Enjoy ur posts about my turf. Will input some thoughts 2nite!

[GordMay]

There are reasons that the Great Lakes are sometimes called North America's “Inland Sea”. Lake Superior is the “greatest” of all.
Lake Erie has the squarest, most disorganized, and uncomfortable waves I’ve ever experienced. I'd mostly attribute this to it's very shallow depth.

[Steve_C]

It has always been my understanding that fresh water will produce large waves easier and quicker than Salt. The Density definitely plays a factor. I read a detailed study about this twenty five years ago when living on Lake Tahoe, I do not remember where.

[zeehag]

is the bottom makes the waves, not the water,. if the waves are tall and boxy the water is shallow--the bottom is right there. deeper water the waves are same height but the bottom is further away-the shape is better and same wave is more easily handled by the same boat...