"Gary" wrote
I have spent 15 years at sea (or so) in all types of boats and I
haven't seen the freak yet.

When you do, you'll never forget it. You look out towards the horizon
and all the waves are going up and down. Way off, one isn't going up
and down. It's just up there. The trough ahead of it is scarier than
the wave when it finally opens up next to you.

The damage done to smaller craft by these waves is almost always the
result of the boat falling off the steep crest and through the air.
Hull and superstructure damage is usually on the side away from the
wave.

--

Roger Long