Praise for C-Dory boats

Jay - sorry I'm not privy to any data comparing seaworthiness of CDs to other
boats. I have not knocked this feature in CDs only to mention I wished they (all?)
had self draining cockpits.

Harvey - I agree the laws of physics always apply, at least to any situation I can
imagine. I do not agree with your supposition that 2 liquids (H2O: salt, fresh)
with different densities show the same physical properties; wind induced
wave characteristics, behavior of surface vessels and buoyancy, etc.

For your enjoyment :-), and for those who recognize large (say 30' - 60') waves
and how a few different vessels respond in those conditions, kindly regard the
below link. Without too much stretch in the imagination, I can see a C-Dory
behaving a little less favorably at more modest speeds than the little yellow one.
NB: this computer depiction shows ocean waves and swells unlike the Great Lakes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trus6OWFCpQ

Aye.
 
I don't by that there is a significant difference between salt and fresh water in wave basics, propagation or travel.
Click to expand...

You need to spend some time on the Great Lakes Harvey. I think you're opinion will be changed. Actually, I found the Columbia Gorge similar to our Great Lakes, when we had 5 foot waves there. After spending some more time out around Vancover Island, I think the difference is, while the waves can be very short spaced and steep in the Ocean, you have a lot more gentle swells also. In the Great Lakes, mostly all we have are the short spaced chop. We also get a lot of "confused" wave action. That is, no set direction, the water is just choppy from all directions! I suspect a lot of this deals with depth and overall size of the water body. Colby
 
Foggy, no Argument from me that there are some differences in the water makeup. I know fresh water weighs less than salt water, and up in the inlets I have found that even in 1,000 feet deep inlets, (based on the chart) the sounder might be showing 3, 6 or 18 feet. It is reading the layer boarder (bottom of the fresh and top of the salt). The waves there are nasty, yes, (Speaking specifically of Knight Inlet now), but I have seen the same nasty waves in Juan de Fuca.

Colby, I have spent many hours on the Columbia and have seen that go from flat to furious (20 - 30 knots wind and 6 foot waves) in as little as 15 minutes. In the Columbia you get reflected waves and winds causing the confused surface situation. Nowhere on the Columbia have I seen anything that compares to the confused, washing machine surfaces that we see here in the tidal exchanges (rips) at Deception Pass, Point Wilson, Point No Point, or Cattle Pass. Yes, the bottom contours have much to do with what is going on at the surface, but these rips happen every day, every tidal change to some degree or another. The washing machine affect is observable on a flat surface as the tide changes and is fun to watch where it begins and grows. Kind of like the water is being tickled and then builds from a giggle to a full blown belly laugh saying, "Ahha, I still have the power."

I would love to boat on the Great Lakes, and expect to some time. I'd be more than happy to accept your offer as a guide there :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

See the tide beginning in the horazontal V coming in from the left. Slightly grayer water.

HH_Cal_09_03_Mar.sized.jpg
 
Come on up! :D Actually, thinking about my time on the Columbia in the Gorge, the chop was mostly in one direction. Fortunately following! I don't know what causes the confused state in the Great Lakes. I just know it exists! And not comfortable. Other times, its from the same direction, but short spaced. It's rare when you have waves far apart. But when calm, some great boating! Colby
 
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