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Wave height...??

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by P46-Curaçao, Jun 16, 2016.

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  1. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    One of a few models;

    Significant Wave Height
    Wind Sea Wave Height
    Primary Swell Wave Height
    Secondary Swell Wave Height
    Wind Speed and Direction Peak Wave Period
    Wind Sea Period
    Primary Swell Period
    Secondary Swell Period

    Been exploring that WaveWatchIII site. Not to shabby. Offers a bigger picture of whats to come.

    Natural salt cicles I do enjoy. Doctor and wife keep it away from me. But when Berty is in the wind, I do grab some tequila and enjoy the evening well. Just scrape the salt from under my bow rails when wife not looking.
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Wave period is way more important than wave height IMHO, at least until you get over 10'. I like to see at least 2 seconds over the wave height, i.e. 6' 8 seconds apart is a big gentle rollercoster, where as 4' every 3 seconds will knock your fillings lose.
  3. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    This one was recommended by friend. Have not used it yet, but looks promising, and it is free..

    www.windyty.com
  4. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Ditto +1. If you run the LI sound you know what a short wave period can do to your dental work, even if its only 2 feet high but tide and wind are opposing.
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I hit the snow button. Blank screen. Defective product.
    After last weeks oven up here, We need some snow.
  6. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    No Snow?
    The Gods are angry, you have been bad...:D
  7. GFC

    GFC Senior Member

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    I took these videos this past weekend on a short trip down the Columbia River from the Tri Cities to Umatilla, OR. These were shot as we approached the Wallula Gap area and the last one after we had passed the Gap.









    Any comments on my "guesstimates" of wave height?
  8. PtJudeRI

    PtJudeRI Senior Member

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    Im all about period, not so much wave height. 4-5' waves under 6 seconds is not comfortable for us... On the other hand, we have gone out after large storms have passed through and seen 8-10' waves every 15 seconds or so.. a nice easy up and down. Sure, they are big, but you don't feel a thing.

    The period length has to be longer than the waves are high. 4' every 4 seconds is a pain, 4' every 7 seconds, thats better... So mathematically, when Wave Height (X) = Period ( 1.75(X) ) things start to be more comfortable for my taste.
  9. saltysenior

    saltysenior Senior Member

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    i do not understand the wave period.......if I was hanging on the Lake Worth Inlet offshore buoy for dear life and the waves were 3ft most reports state a wave period of 5 0r 6 sec. to catch your breath..... every time I went by,in waves of 2-4 feet,it seemed to me a wave hit the buoy every 2 -3 seconds..
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Don't believe what you hear on forecasts. Get your info from the buoys. Dial A Buoy, and I think these days there maybe other sources. Unfortunately the closest reporting buoy to Lake Worth that I know of is Ft. Pierce Station 41114, but it should help.
    BTW, 3' in 5 seconds would be borderline uncomfortable. I like MINIMUM of 2 seconds over the height of the waves, i.e. 2' 4 seconds (5 or 6 seconds all the better), 4' 6 seconds MINIMUM, etc. for comfort.
  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The offshore buoy in Lake Worth is very close to the inlet, so it might be entirely possible that the period was only 2-3 seconds because it could have been influenced by the tide in the inlet. The longer the period, the further it is between waves, so 2-4' with a 10 second period would be a swell that you barely notice, just a verrrrrrry slow up (like in an elevator) and a verrrry slow back down.
  12. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    How would you qualify this Capt J?

    Screenshot_19.jpg
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Rough and uncomfortable in a boat your size, but not terrible/scary. A normal 5' wave. Direction you're going has a lot to do with it, if you were going directly into it, you're slowing down from cruise, if you've got it off the beam or stern, probably able to maintain cruise speed.
  14. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    We are used to it, and normally go out on the sea to the East (beam) or West (stern) and because we have always wind from the East, it's all about speed if it's a comfortable ride or not. Most of the time we go out just for a day, so 1.5 - 2.0 hrs. from the Marina is our max to have a comfortable and relaxing day!

    Thanks to you all, again I learned something, LOVE YF!!
  15. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I was about to reply that where you are I'd call that a normal day.
  16. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Yes it is!
    Only about 5-6 day's a year we have a (almost) flat sea...
  17. HTMO9

    HTMO9 Senior Member

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    When talking about wave height, wave period, wind and current / water depth, the size of the boat also matters. The LWL of the boat has to match the typical waves of your area. If the LWL is not compatible with the typical wave pattern, even smaller waves can make the ride uncomfortable.

    wave height.jpg

    Next thing is, wheather the boat is equipped for those waves / seastate and crew / guests are prepared, when the boat starts rocking. If you look at this 46 ft American sailboat on one of its regular ocean crossings. Pretty good seastate for a "little" sailboat but they are prepared and the boat is perfectly equipped for blue water cruising. And all necessary safety measures are taken for the crew. Thats the way it looks, when pros go to sea.

    Just a few details for the blow boaters among us. Semi-cardanic radar and Nav-antenna mount, isolated aft stay for SSB radio (weather reports), tow generator (convertible to a wind generator). This American couple lives 10 month a year on its boat and travels all the seven seas.
  18. amgscrap

    amgscrap Member

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    I would appreciate some advice. I plan on leaving Lighthouse Point Inlet Florida on April 17 in the AM for a trip to Bimini. I have a 64 foot motoryacht capable of doing 30 Knots. I will have onboard a Captain. I also plan on having onboard my wife and two Grandkids. It is a short trip over the Easter weekend. I know it is too early to have an accurate weather forecast. But, looking at Buoyweather it says 3 foot seas average with 4 foot peaks at 5 seconds. Wind is from the Northeast. Could someone provide an opinion on what kind of ride this could be and more importantly with that kind of sea is it safe. Thanks
  19. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    What is the boat? Brand, model?
  20. amgscrap

    amgscrap Member

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    It is a Lazzara 64 with twin IPS 1200. It has humphreys active ride and a Seakeeper gyro (gyro not much help when under way).