Post by: johnny on November 09, 2015, 07:26:58 PM
Post by: K1300S on November 09, 2015, 07:38:37 PM
Post by: Scott_ on November 09, 2015, 09:22:59 PM
May they rest in peace.
Post by: F14CRAZY on November 09, 2015, 09:35:54 PM
Post by: johnny on November 10, 2015, 03:00:35 PM
Post by: johnny on November 16, 2015, 08:58:51 PM
Post by: enb54 on December 13, 2015, 02:26:44 AM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on December 13, 2015, 10:07:59 AM
I have sailed both the North Atlantic and the Great Lakes. The difference is that waves on the lakes are typically 4-6 seconds apart whereas on the Atlantic the periods run to 14-15 seconds. 25 foot waves at sea are ugly, and can cause problems, but they are slow and have a rhythm to them. On the other hand, 10 footers on the lakes come at you like a pack of wolves. They knock you around from every direction and are relentless, never giving you a break to collect your wits.
I've sailed in 40 knots in both places. At sea, it's a tiring nuisance, on the lakes it is simply terrifying. I have cooked dinner for the crew on the Atlantic. On Lake Ontario, all I could do was hang on and try to control the boat as everything down below became a tossed salad and the cockpit filled with water. The size of the lakes magnifies the problems in that the worst waves are at the ends of the lakes where you run out of room and wind up having to make very dangerous maneuvers or get blown up on the beach. The lack of sea room to leeward takes away the option of running ahead of the waves, an option which you often have at sea.
Ships are getting stronger, and weather forecasting is getting more accurate, and that is why the Edmund Fitzgerald will probably be the last really big ship to go down on the lakes, but they still claim their share of smaller boats, some of which are manned by professionals as witnessed by the loss of two Coast Guard crewmen several years ago on Lake Ontario not far from where I work. And the periodic loss of experienced sailors every summer due to surprise squalls or the late season storms.
Post by: F14CRAZY on December 13, 2015, 01:31:14 PM
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1937319_129143677907_2477449_n.jpg?oh=04d8c274f451564d308450f4d016de1c&oe=56E080D6)
In 2009 we took my 19' Bayliner Capri cuddy from Grand Marais to Marquette to tour Pictured Rocks. I've seen bathtubs with more chop than there was on this trip.
Sorry for the picture quality, it looks a lot older than it looks. My brother decided to take a film camera, and shoot with expired film despite owning high end DSLR's
Post by: enb54 on December 13, 2015, 02:54:42 PM
Post by: F14CRAZY on December 13, 2015, 02:58:25 PM
Post by: johnny on December 13, 2015, 08:01:50 PM
twice i pizzed in lake superior... both times it was temporarily warmer than 56 degrees... i guarantee you that...
j o
Post by: kris on December 13, 2015, 10:34:18 PM
Post by: enb54 on December 13, 2015, 11:52:12 PM
So that's why the drinking water tastes funny up there!!Well Johnny you must have been at a beach or in very shallow water, I assure you that in deep water, you would be jumping out and running on it. That water was "friggin" cold! :)
Post by: johnny on April 02, 2017, 08:57:13 AM
Post by: johnny on November 10, 2018, 11:37:22 AM
image-placeholder-title.jpg (43.71 kB . 768x552 - viewed 4397 times)
Post by: stokester on November 10, 2018, 09:43:55 PM
Post by: Past-my-Prime on June 22, 2019, 10:04:28 AM
I've been lurking and decided to join. Even though I have nothing much useful to say at this time.
My very first post to this forum. . . "Lake Superior" grabbed me, both literally (as in I moved here 25 years ago) and then this title. I love the lake and everything about it but you have to respect it.
I bike and sail which is a challenge because they're both the same season.
When I figure out how to post photos I'll make a nice one of my brick with the lake in the background (bay, actually).
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on June 22, 2019, 12:54:33 PM
Post by: johnny on November 10, 2023, 01:42:40 PM
Post by: Scott_ on November 10, 2023, 03:37:33 PM
Post by: volador on November 14, 2023, 09:14:35 PM
Post by: Scott_ on November 10, 2024, 07:09:52 AM
It is on my bucket list to visit the bay after I retire next year.
Post by: johnny on November 10, 2024, 09:57:52 AM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on November 13, 2024, 02:20:33 PM
I've sailed the Great Lakes for 40 years. The late Fall north-westerlies out of Canada will beat the snot out of the best sailors. Seen 30+ knots and 10 foot seas on Lakes Ontario and Erie, can't imagine what the Edmund Fitz saw that night.
Post by: Past-my-Prime on November 19, 2024, 11:42:38 AM
This was Lake Superior within the bay of Thunder Bay, about 20 years ago. My current max comfortable sailing wind is 25 knots now!
Post by: PitchlerBrick on December 06, 2024, 04:16:26 PM
Post by: Bmwsquirl on June 27, 2025, 09:13:50 AM
I grew up on Lake Erie fishing ,swimming and boating.it was that love of water that took me to commercial dive school.
I was taught early about undertows, snags and wind direction.
nothing prepared me for what life would throw at me till I joined the coast guard.joined wmec 619 in Portland while it was
in dry dock.
when we finished we went up the willamette to the Columbia .we anchored that evening off Astoria because of seas on the bar.
next morning pulled anchor and crossed the bar 29' seas breaking every 9 seconds.i was right out of boot camp.when the helmsman
got sea sick I was pressed into service.as I locked myself to the helm I asked the captain if I could speak to him.protocol.
he said"yes" to which I told him "now might be a good time to tell you my dad won't even give me the keys to his car."
after he laughed he said"you'll do fine."
the worst seas we saw lasted for 13-14 days were 60' in the pacific south of the Aleutian chain.we all thought we were going to die.
a couple of guys lost there marbles.i knew we were going to live when I was on watch and saw a group of walruses on their backs like
they were on the beach in Hawaii.we had a 26,diesel driven lifeboat locked to the davits and deck with heavy threaded turnbuckles.
one of the small boats was ripped right of the ship never to be seen again.
as for the e.f. the divers were part of the piledriver ,millwright union in Cleveland.two of the members of the union lost uncles on the e.f.
that's my story and I stand by it
squirrel
Post by: Laitch on June 27, 2025, 08:49:14 PM
nothing prepared me for what life would throw at me till I joined the coast guard.joined wmec 619 in Portland while it wasWMEC 619 USCGC Confidence
in dry dock.
(https://www.motobrick.com/gallery/4/1601-270625204537.png)
Post by: Bmwsquirl on July 04, 2025, 05:43:57 AM
brings back some memories.had a small sign looking at the helo deck so hh52a's could land it read "welcome aboard the coast guard cutter confidence, the smallest aircraft carrier in the pacific fleet".one of my jobs was to go over the aft port side in a net and wait for the chopper to land and jump out run and tie down the aft of the helicopter.
all this for the pay of 480.00 a month then they took out taxes and such.livin the high life.
be safe l
squirrel