KLC Lewis wrote:
"John Reimer" wrote in message
...
Is there a general rule of thumb on what size of seas become inherently
unsafe for a particular size of boat?

I know there's no firm answer to this, water is unsafe period, and you can
be enjoying the trqnquility of 1 foot swells and have Mr. Whale decide to
knock on your keel to say hello

But is there a general traditional guideline or at least in terms of what
size seas vs boat size that starts making YOU uncomfortable and more
concerned beyond the vigilance water should always be respected with?

Thanks,
John

If breaking waves are equal in height to the beam of your boat, you are in
danger of capsize. From wave heights at half your beam to full beam, you are
likely to be uncomfortable, and handling your boat will be increasingly
difficult and strenuous. As for vigilance, whatever wave height strikes you
as uncomfortable and unsafe below that point is correct for you. But wave
*shape* and interval has more to do with it, in my opinion, than just
height. Pacific rollers of 6-8 feet can be quite safe and comfortable, while
Green Bay short sharp waves of 5-6 feet are just plain dangerous.

I think this is a bit deceptive. "Waves" are almost never encountered in
the open ocean except in shallows. "Swells" are what the sea is filled
with and other than comfort, there is no minimum size of boat making
swells safer. It's the construction and design of the boat that matters,
not size.

Stephen