I had a 19' bowrider that I used on Lake Superior a lot, usually loaded
with about 1000# of people and/or camping equipment. It would handle a
foot of water while on plane in comfort. More than that I had to slow
down. I've been in 6 foot swells with no discomfort or stress at all,
but at only 6 knots.

A three to four foot wave becomes more interesting while fully loaded
and I would not recommend traveling loaded like that unless you have a
reinforced snap on cover. I supplemented mine with a spectra (expensive
no-stretch sailing line) laced under the cover so a big wave won't break
the snaps free. I have nosed into waves big enough to break over the
bow, the bimini top and into the cockpit behind, but it wasn't enough
water fir the bilge pumps to work on, only enough to get everyone excited.

I tested this arrangement in big, cruiser induced waves I tried to dive
into on a local lake in 80 degree water close to shore, prefering this
location to the 39 degree Lake Superior water. I also had two large
bilge pumps, although if you take a big one over the bow, you are not
likely to pump out before another one sinks you. The good news is that a
boat of this length has level floatation.

I wrote an article about this entitled "Superior Thinking" that was
published in the March 2004 (I think) issue of Trailer Boats magazine.

A lot of how much water you get in the boat depends on your boat
handling skills. Fool around with the boat in some warm waves. Try to
take in water and try to avoid it. It mostly depends upon your touch on
the throttle.

Capt. Jeff