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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

105.0. "n-foot seas; amplitude or wavelength?" by BTO::JPETERS (John Peters, DTN 266-4391) Wed Aug 10 1988 09:47

    In 97.*, waves are discussed.  It sounded to me as though at least
    one party was talking about the wavelength, the horizontal distance
    between wave peaks, while others were talking amplitude, vertical
    peak-to-peak height.
    
    I have always interpreted sea state information as amplitude rather
    than wavelength.  Anybody know what the weather radio means when
    they refer to 8 foot seas?
    				John
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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105.1AnswerABE::HASKELLWed Aug 10 1988 10:272
    Amplitude.
    
105.2Listen CarefullySALEM::KLOTZThu Aug 11 1988 16:4018
    John,
    	NOAA gives 2 numbers (but alas not frequenty enough)
    
    	Wave Height and Duration - ex. 2-4 ft @ 5 Sec Intervals.
        If only 2-4 ft is given height is assumed.
    
        This tells you a fair degree -
    	5-7 sec. is a fairly normal sea
    	2-3 sec  is chop most likely due to local wind
    	7-8 sec  is an ol'tired sea - possibly a far off shore storm.
    
    	9-10+sec WATCH OUT!! One of two things is about to happen!!!
                 Most likely around here is a HURRICANE.
    
    		If this long cycle is coupled with a low (1-2') height
    	        it may be a TSUNAMI [su'na me] (Tidal Wave)
    
    
105.3At Last How a Wave is MeasuredHAZEL::GARNERWed Aug 17 1988 13:3828
    
              *** Finally Someone Answered My Wave Question ***
    
    Thanx for the info...I have heard the heights reported often and
    once in a while the period.  Your definition is noteworthy and
    it should enlighten those who referred to waves of all sizes and
    their impact on the boat in note 97.
    
    I boat in Buzzards Bay and the Vineyard, the typical report is 2'
    to 4'.  The only place I heard period interval broadcast was on
    a trip to Portland, Maine, that station gave both.  If I'm by myself
    almost any size will not bother me as long as I'm running in the
    right direction.  If your confident in your boat and your seamanship skills
    are tuned to look for minor things like broaching, swamping or capsizing,
    you can always make it to a port and wait it out.
    
    Unless their are warnings broadcast or a freak storm, its not the
    size/period of the waves, it is how the skipper negotiates them with
    a boat that is seaworthy.  This to me, will make for an enjoyable and safe
    trip, no matter what the waves do.
    
    
    
    The Capt. who asked, How is a wave measured!!!!
                                               
    P.S. You wouldn't by chance be the famed " Lou Who " from the ol'
         M.T.A. days in the Mill???
    
105.4Ridem CowboyTOOK::SWEETCapt Codfish...Looking for Mr. TunaWed Aug 17 1988 15:219
    Another vote for "its not the size of the wave but how steep it
    is". I have seen (been in) long rollers that were 15ft high that
    made you nervous but are not dangerous (Joe remeber the ones of
    montauk?) and I have been in 4 footers that were so steep and close
    together they beat the crap out of you. If the waves are breaking
    then thats the time to watch out, when the wind is blowing the tops
    off them you know you are in for a rough ride.
    
    Bruce 
105.5MTA DaysPARITY::MITCHELLRob Mitchell Data Center MgrTue Aug 23 1988 13:4513
< Reply to Note 105.3 by HAZEL::GARNER >
                      -< At Last How a Wave is Measured >-
    
    P.S. You wouldn't by chance be the famed " Lou Who " from the ol'
         M.T.A. days in the Mill???

--------------------------------------------------------------------
I was wondering that myself.   Shades of MTA days back in the Old Mill.
By the way Bill Moran is back and he's here in TWO.  I thought those
names sounded familiar but I wasn't sure.  

							Rob.

105.6The Answer is YES!!TALLIS::KLOTZTue Aug 30 1988 18:077
    FYI - For those who asked ------
    
    	  YES!!!!      Capt'n Lou of the "Phanta Sea" is indeed
                       the long forgotten   Lou "Who?" of days gone by

                                    Regards to all,
                                                     Capt'n Lou "Who?"
105.7Reply to Capt. `Lou Who'HAZEL::GARNERTue Sep 06 1988 15:1314
    
                     Capt'n  `Lou Who'
    
    Hi Lou,
            Didn't realize you were a boat man when we worked together
            in MTA days.  I found your note on waves very useful.  I
            started a Note #52 on the subject of "Off-Shore Boating"
            why don't you sign in.  Would like to hear of your experiences
            as well as, any useful tidbits, on anything from anchoring to
            orienteering........
                                Regards, Capt. Steve of the `VENTURE TO'