On Wed, 7 May 2008 11:13:42 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

What about the issue of big windows with big waves? Seems like they would
blow out; whereas, small portlights wouldn't.

Then again, an open cockpit starts out with even less protection from
the elements.




True, but that's not why I mentioned it. An open cockpit will not stop a
wave, but if a portlight is destroyed, it might be a bigger problem. I'm not
that familiar with pilothouse boats, but I would think that if the
pilothouse section is compromised, there's not much that can be done. If a
cockpit is awash, it'll drain (perhaps minus crew, but that's another
issue).


During WWII the Queen Mary was in a North Atlantic gale with no big
deal 30 to 40 foot waves. A freak wave broke the pilothouse windows 93
feet above sea level, and rolled her almost to the point of no return.
Weak windows should not go far offshore.

Casady

On Wed, 07 May 2008 20:16:23 +0000, Richard Casady wrote:


During WWII the Queen Mary was in a North Atlantic gale with no big deal
30 to 40 foot waves. A freak wave broke the pilothouse windows 93 feet
above sea level, and rolled her almost to the point of no return. Weak
windows should not go far offshore.

Casady

A broken porthole was also what sunk the Ocean Ranger. All hands lost.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Ranger