How big are these waves?

[Presentation]

Based on the photos, how big are these waves?

In another forum post different people had different opinions about wave size.

In my opinion these are 2 foot waves.

Wind was out of the North at 18 MPH. In round numbers, this lake is 30 miles long, 10 miles wide, only 20 feet deep at its deepest resulting in relatively short chop when compared to larger deeper bodies of water.

We are leaving Fond du Lac’s Lakeside Park at the southern most part of the lake.

With our boat and this wave size we could go on plane but the boat would bang every so often even with the drives 100% down, trim tabs down, and one hand on the throttles trying to maintain the boat on plane at 20-22 MPH.

Below are 5 photos. The photos were taken within 15 minutes time.

From the top of a lighthouse looking west

From the top of a lighthouse looking east

From inside the marina, still tied to the dock

Heading to open water

Hitting a wave

Based on the photos, how big are these waves?

 

[Ididntdoit]

I would consider those 1-2 or possibly 2-3ft conditions

 

[Nehalennia]

1-2. Not bad at all.

 

[bport]

I agree - the waveheight is not bad, but the frequency is very tight, which to me explains that banging. We find ourselves in 3-4 footers from time to time and they are not bad as long as they are far apart. 1-2 footers can be uncomfortable if they are tight.

 

[ImpulseIII]

It all depends on who is telling the story. I know people that would swear those are 10 to 12 footers !!!

 

[Skuza]

Looks like our lake on average. Probably 1-2 footers. As stated it's the frequency that gets ya banging. Slow down and trim accordingly to avoid beating everthing(one) to death.

 

[Carpedmman]

Yep! 1-2 footers sounds right to me! I remember the days on Lake Winnebago (Home to Mercury Marine for those who don't know) when there were 3-4' and that was hell on the 330 going north to Menasha! It is the frequency that hurts! Most boaters would say this is nothing, except the frequency is the nasty part of the sum!

 

[fwebster]

In the bottom 2 photos the seas are about 1 to 2's, but there is a nasty little chop running at about 45 degrees to the sea..........and that would make for a bumpy little ride.

 

[wetpaint]

I would say 2-3's.....Cameras generally do not capture the true wave height..Waves always look smaller in camera and/or video....When you see white caps cresting, you are in the 2-3 foot range.....The frequency is close also which make the ride choppyier......

 

[Gunn]

That swell right in front of the bow in the 2nd to last pic looks like what I would call a 2'. And there are probably the occasional near 3' in there mixed in as well I'd bet.

I'm fortunate in that where I boat there is a buoy that gives realtime data of a number of conditions, and keeps their history. So I can estimate the wave height while I'm out and then go home and look up the data on line and see what it actually was to compare to. I'm getting better at estimating!

You seem to be doing everything that you can do; drives down, tabs down, slow as you can go on plane. Only thing left is to idle home, which can make everyone seasick!

Tom

 

[TheLucille]

Looks like 1-2 with some 3's as many have said.

The very problem with Winnebago is the frequency, that's why there's pounding with such small waves. Hit Michigan and you'll find 1-2's are nothing Winnebago gets a nasty chop.

 

[Gofirstclass]

The first two are about 1'-2' and the white caps are caused by the water getting shallower and the depth not able to support the height of the wave. (That's why waves break over sand bars and near shore)

The next two look to be about 2'-3' and the lone white cap is probably caused by the water getting shallower.

For comparison, here a pic of 4'+ waves.

 

[wetpaint]

GoFirst...Those are ripples for you on that yacht

 

[Stray Cat]

It all depends on who is telling the story. I know people that would swear those are 10 to 12 footers !!!

That's what they look like to a guy in a 14 ft jon boat with a 9.9 Johnson with 18 inches of freeboard an no bilge pump.

 

[Days away]

Small and an average day around here in the afternoon breeze kicks in.

 

[Jim M]

No question about it 1 to 2 footers.

 

[mwph]

I had to head back to my slip in what looks like similar conditions Saturday. Mine might have been even tighter together. Anyhow, I commented to myself that some were 2 ft. high. I can tell you this, in my little 25' boat - not the most fun I ever had.

 

[jpk33]

2's with a occasional 3' on a very rapid frequency

 

[bajturner]

Being knew to this type of boat, I am curious. What kind of beating can these hulls take? Is there a point where you have to worry about actually breaking something in the hull itself or the driveline.

Is this a hijack? Sometimes I can't tell!

 

[Summer Fun II]

What kind of beating can these hulls take?

You're safe with a Sea Ray but if you owned a Baysinker I'd be sh*tting my pants with them waves. :grin: . :smt043