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Wallkerbay



Joined: 26 May 2009
Posts: 76
City/Region: virginiabeach
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Delfin
Photos: HUNKEYDORY
PostPosted: Sat May 30, 2009 8:19 pm    Post subject: Wave Height Reply with quote

How do you tell the wave height. My wife and I took our C-Dory out today.We had to turn around. It was way to rough for us. We crested one wave and as we came down ,all we saw was water.The boat took it fine. We keep our Dory at VININGS Marine Center in Norfolk Virginia. Thumbs Down
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Neal Mitchell
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JamesTXSD



Joined: 01 Mar 2005
Posts: 7444
City/Region: from island boy to desert dweller
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Wild Blue" (sold 9/14)
Photos: Wild Blue
PostPosted: Sat May 30, 2009 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Neal and welcome aboard,

Wave height is only part of the story... wave period is very important in how comfortable the ride is. If the waves are closely spaced, 3 foot waves can be uncomfortable. If the waves have a longer period, larger waves can be easy.

Seems that most people tend to over-estimate wave height when asked (kinda the way some fishermen... um, nevermind). Besides getting a current NOAA report, I use fixed points on the boat - you know how much freeboard you have, how tall the cabin is, and how far off the water the top of your antenna is? Shocked

We found that our ability to deal with waves increased with more experience on the boat... finding the right throttle use, trim tabs, boat speed, etc.

There are times that you shouldn't go out... it's up to you to determine what combination of waves, wind, period, etc meets your comfort level.

Best wishes,
Jim B
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Levity



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 204
City/Region: Shippensburg
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Levity
Photos: Levity
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

From your location at Vinings you may find the following website useful: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Chesapeake_Bay.shtml . Click on Scripps weather buoy #44099 (yellow dot) for current conditions or use it for historical information.
Mike "Levity"
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Pat Anderson



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 8551
City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nothing wrong with turning around and coming in. We also turned around and came back to the dock in 2003. It was the first time we got out into some good size waves when we had our CD22. Today I would not fear those same waves in a 22, but this only comes with a bit of experience. You comfort level (and more importantly, spousal unit's comfort level) will increase with more time and experience. Jim's observations are right on. Some times we have been caught out, and learned that even though we are getting our fillings knocked loose in big water (trip from Sequim back to Everett a few years ago comes to mind!), we were actually quite safe. Enjoy the boat!
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CRABBY LOU - CD16 Angler (sold 2020)
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http://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com

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matt_unique



Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 1881
City/Region: Boston
State or Province: MA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Napoleon
Photos: Napoleon
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:41 am    Post subject: Waves Reply with quote

Good advice above.
Sometimes a reference to eye level can be useful as well as reference to other vessels.

For example, a few weeks ago I was exiting the mouth of the Merrimack River in Newburyport MA. Ahead of me were a 30 something foot trawler and a 21' cuddy cabin. The cuddy cabin and both passengers completely disappeared in the troughs (bottom) and would only reappear when coming up the crests (top) of the waves. The entire structure of the Trawler disappeared in the troughs except the very top control station.

When it was my turn to take on the current induced waves hitting the ocean the waves were a little taller then me (I'm 6'). I thus estimated the waves to be 7'. I took more water over the bow of the Tomcat than I ever have before. The period of the waves was very short and the shape was steep.

I heard that an 18' vessel capsized in this spot yesterday ejecting the single occupant. Another vessel supposedly picked up the person and managed to get a line around his vessel.

I have cruised in 10' swells with a long period and no wind. These were fueled by an offshore storm. It was no big deal, like riding up and down a freight elevator. I have also been in 6' cresting seas in measured Gale Force winds. The vessel would literally "fall" off the crest of the waves. That was scary and I got the hell out of there.

It is an example of great seamanship to take action and decide to wait for better seas. Weather rules all machines.

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Former owner of Napoleon (Tomcat) Hull #65 w/Counter Rotating Suzuki 150's.
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damason



Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Posts: 184
City/Region: Valparaiso, Florida
State or Province: FL
Photos: CHARITY
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here in the Gulf of Mexico the waves are most of the time manageable. We are in the Northern Gulf near Destin. 1 to 2 feet is fine and 3 to 5 is on the edge of not going out. When the weather report says 3 to 5 feet I have found that means the waves are going down 3 feet from level and going up 5 feet from level - so the end result is 8 foot waves. This may not be really true but it seems like this is the case. When starting out of the Destin pass if we notice waves breaking over the rock jetties we turn around and go back and fish the Choctawhatchee Bay. The waves outside are going to be "PUKE CITY". Crying or Very sad
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Marlene and Dave Mason

Once a C-Brat - Always a C-Brat!
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DaveS



Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 3204
City/Region: Arlington
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Shift
Photos: Sea Shift
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pat Anderson wrote:
You comfort level (and more importantly, spousal unit's comfort level)


So Patty, did you write this?........ Mr. Green

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Dave S.
"Sea Shift"
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 5:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wave height is measured from bottom of the trough to the top of the peak. As Jim noted, just as important is the peroid or timing of the waves

For a 22 three feet steep waves are a lot, and you will be pounding in 2 foot seas. The 25 will take slightly more. This doesn't mean that you cannot go out in 4 to 5 foot seas, but if the peroid is steep, time between crests is short, then the occupants will suffer . Long peroid waves make little difference to a C Dory. The largest seas we have been in were documeted at 45 feet and breaking, but this was in a 62 foot boat and in mid Atlantic--still something you could not go into, just away from. Same in a C Dory, you can run in beam or following seas which are much greater than what you can buck into.

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Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
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C-Green



Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 310
City/Region: Houghton
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Green
Photos: C-Green
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Weather bouys are great for real time data but you need to know NOAA"s methodology. The wave height given (at least for Lake Superior) is the height of which 80 % of the waves are of equal or lesser height. I assume the forecasts of wave height x to y feet may use the same criteria. Well, when I'm out I don't pay attention to those waves; I'm concentrating on and noting the top 20%. So that's why 3 to 5 foot seas seem like 5 to 7 foot seas, because they are. That's my read.

Jay
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Jack in Alaska



Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1190
City/Region: Anchorage/Ninilchik
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 26 Pro Angler
Vessel Name: HIGH TIDE II
Photos: HIGH TIDE II
PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

When my 1st mate crushes the teak grab handles while hanging on and yells..."why did you bring us out in this?" I then think it is time to start turning around.... Laughing
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On the HIGH TIDE-II, wife Carolyn and I.....Another summer fishing on the HIGH TIDE II in the Cook Inlet at Cape Ninilchik, Alaska.

HIGH TIDE-II; 2005 26' ProAngler; 2003 200 Honda / 2009 9.9 Honda high thrust
No. CD026021I405; AK-5008-AK
MSSI No. 338143486(cancelled)

HIGH TIDE; 1983 Angler Classic 22'; 90 Honda/ 9.9 Tohatsu-sold 2009 to son Dan (flatfishfool)
Stolen & stripped in Aug. 18
Bare hull & trailer sold in Nov.
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Doryman



Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 3807
City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jack in Alaska wrote:
When my 1st mate crushes the teak grab handles while hanging on and yells..."why did you bring us out in this?" I then think it is time to start turning around.... Laughing


... or when the dog barfs! Twisted Evil

Warren

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M/V Lori Ann
TomCat 255, Hull #55, 150 Yamahas
Anacortes, WA
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smittypaddler



Joined: 30 Jun 2004
Posts: 337
City/Region: Neenah, Wisconsin
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Na Waqa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:26 pm    Post subject: Front vs back of waves? Reply with quote

The NOAA surf reports say, "Surf heights are forecast heights of the face or front of waves." Also, it used to be common knowledge that Hawaiians reported wave heights less than the rest of the world, because they reported the back side. The idea of the front of a wave being of a different size than the back is puzzling. It seems to me what goes up x units must come down x units. Can anyone explain?
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Tortuga



Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 314
City/Region: Ventura
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Tortuga
Photos: Tortuga
PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We have a deal on Tortuga... if anyone barfs, the person driving has to buy the barfee a prize. But to get the prize, you really need to produce something. Don't ask about the inspection process...
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Tortuga
Ventura, CA
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Smuttynose



Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 31
City/Region: Portsmouth
State or Province: NH
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Snap Out Of It
Photos: Snap Out Of It
PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting topic regarding wave heights and the implied seamanship skills important in handling a C-Dory. I have a 22 and have taken on some heavy seas, and have a simple, and possibly really stupid question, has one ever 'rolled over' in a breaking crest of a wave?

David
Smuttynose Island, ME
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C-Green



Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 310
City/Region: Houghton
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Green
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I stand corrected. Direct from the NOAA bouy site "WVHT - Significant wave height (meters) is calculated as the average of the highest one-third of all of the wave heights during the 20-minute sampling period." So, the average of the top 1/3 would be the 83rd percentile; not much different than the 80th percentile so my logic still stands.

Jay
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