Maybe Larry can post several pics that were taken of lakers on Lake Superior that rival those posted from the N. Atlantic. I remember he either posted some or else provided a link. They were awesome.
Bottom line, big and steep waves occur once in a while on the lakes that I would rather not meet up with in any boat.
Why I like Sailing on Lake Superior
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Dick Barthel
- Posts: 901
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 10:29
- Location: Dream Weaver, CD25D, Noank, CT
Re: That's not Lake Superior
Alan,Alan Derringer wrote:With all respect, that's not Lake Superior. It's the North Atlantic.
I don't think John actually said that it was. Granted the implication was there but it's just a technicalilty because we all know that Superior gets like that given universal knowledge of the Edmund Fitzgerald. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes...." and all that.
Thanks for bringing more precision to an already near perfect Board.
Dick
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Oswego John
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 20:42
- Location: '66 Typhoon "Grace", Hull # 42, Schooner "Ontario", CD 85D Hull #1
That's Not Lake Superior
Alan, Dick
First things first. Dick, thanks for the kind words
I'm sorry if I implied that the pictures were taken on Lake Superior. The subject of the thread was sailing on Lake Superior. Since the pictures were of a Laker type cargo ship and the pictures resembled so many of the storms that happen up here, I just assumed that they were of a localized lake storm. (There I go, assuming again. Will I ever learn?)
Yes, the storms can get fairly rough on the lakes. Let's face facts, in reality they are small seas which can produce or intensify their own storms. Off shore, the sight of land is lost beyond the horizon due to the curvature of the earth, even from atop of the mast.
Traffic wise, there is always something going on. The lakes are wide enough so that there is plenty of room for all. The rivers are another story. Clear sky or nighttime, the radar is your best friend. Binoculars are hanging next to the wheel (or tiller).
Speaking of rough seas. A week ago Friday, I attended the funeral of the wife of a very dear friend of mine. We had worked well over fifteen years together building our schooner here in Oswego.
During the war (WWII) Verne was in the Merchant Marines, sailing on Liberty and Victory class freighters. He was also a pretty good photographer. He had the misfortune of delivering cargo on the Mermansk run via the North Atlantic. He showed me some totally unbelievable pictures (black and white) of some of the sea conditions and told of the creaking and groaning of these hastily built ships when in rough weather.
Personally, the worst weather that I've seen was in the Bering Strait. But that is short lived, as is parts of the Great Lakes, because much of it is frozen over in winter season. Ice breakers often have to open up channels for shipping when feasible. When the water is well frozen, the surface is comparatively flat because the ice prevents the buildup of waves.
And then comes "break-up time". Woo hoo, watch out.
O J
First things first. Dick, thanks for the kind words
I'm sorry if I implied that the pictures were taken on Lake Superior. The subject of the thread was sailing on Lake Superior. Since the pictures were of a Laker type cargo ship and the pictures resembled so many of the storms that happen up here, I just assumed that they were of a localized lake storm. (There I go, assuming again. Will I ever learn?)
Yes, the storms can get fairly rough on the lakes. Let's face facts, in reality they are small seas which can produce or intensify their own storms. Off shore, the sight of land is lost beyond the horizon due to the curvature of the earth, even from atop of the mast.
Traffic wise, there is always something going on. The lakes are wide enough so that there is plenty of room for all. The rivers are another story. Clear sky or nighttime, the radar is your best friend. Binoculars are hanging next to the wheel (or tiller).
Speaking of rough seas. A week ago Friday, I attended the funeral of the wife of a very dear friend of mine. We had worked well over fifteen years together building our schooner here in Oswego.
During the war (WWII) Verne was in the Merchant Marines, sailing on Liberty and Victory class freighters. He was also a pretty good photographer. He had the misfortune of delivering cargo on the Mermansk run via the North Atlantic. He showed me some totally unbelievable pictures (black and white) of some of the sea conditions and told of the creaking and groaning of these hastily built ships when in rough weather.
Personally, the worst weather that I've seen was in the Bering Strait. But that is short lived, as is parts of the Great Lakes, because much of it is frozen over in winter season. Ice breakers often have to open up channels for shipping when feasible. When the water is well frozen, the surface is comparatively flat because the ice prevents the buildup of waves.
And then comes "break-up time". Woo hoo, watch out.
O J
Greetings board members,
Well, I saw the boatnerd site with the same pictures and it does seem like those could be Atlantic waves. Sorry for my error. The pictures were emailed to me from a neighbor who, knowing I am rather obsessed with sailing, sent me them from a guy who said they were November Lake Superior shots. Also, the ship is quite similar to a laker, the 600 to 1,000 foot beasties we see up here all the time, usually bearing down on you quickly!
I do have some video of Superior at 40 knots from our crossing last May that I would like to put online somehow I will attach a photo at least here so you don't think I just dream about rough Superior weather, it can and does get wicked and the temperatures really lessen the margin for error.
Best regards,
Paul
Well, I saw the boatnerd site with the same pictures and it does seem like those could be Atlantic waves. Sorry for my error. The pictures were emailed to me from a neighbor who, knowing I am rather obsessed with sailing, sent me them from a guy who said they were November Lake Superior shots. Also, the ship is quite similar to a laker, the 600 to 1,000 foot beasties we see up here all the time, usually bearing down on you quickly!
I do have some video of Superior at 40 knots from our crossing last May that I would like to put online somehow I will attach a photo at least here so you don't think I just dream about rough Superior weather, it can and does get wicked and the temperatures really lessen the margin for error.
Best regards,
Paul
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Dick Barthel
- Posts: 901
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 10:29
- Location: Dream Weaver, CD25D, Noank, CT
Re: That's Not Lake Superior
O.J. I must apologize for confusing you. My post original reply post to Alan should have read "Paul" (who posted the pictures) and not "John".Oswego John wrote:Alan, Dick
I'm sorry if I implied that the pictures were taken on Lake Superior.
O J
Just another one of those senior moments I guesss.
Dick
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Oswego John
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 20:42
- Location: '66 Typhoon "Grace", Hull # 42, Schooner "Ontario", CD 85D Hull #1
That's Not Lake - - -
- - - Woebegone 
Dick,
No apology needed. I've been confused for quite some years now. Let's look at it this way, you created another opportunity for me to segue into telling another story or two.
Because of that great link you gave us in regard to locking/freewheeling the prop, I'm seriously reconsidering re- entering the fray. I know, I know...
The spirit is strong, but the body is weak - - - and it's sooo tempting.
O J
Dick,
No apology needed. I've been confused for quite some years now. Let's look at it this way, you created another opportunity for me to segue into telling another story or two.
Because of that great link you gave us in regard to locking/freewheeling the prop, I'm seriously reconsidering re- entering the fray. I know, I know...
The spirit is strong, but the body is weak - - - and it's sooo tempting.
O J
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David van den Burgh
- Posts: 597
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 18:54
- Location: Ariel CD36, 1979 - Lake Michigan
- Contact:
Why I like sailing on Lake Michigan
Notice the posture: reclining in the Sport-a-Seat, left arm slung over the stern pulpit, the autopilot dutifully maintaining the course. (The guy wasting precious energy standing up, my father-in-law.)
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/v ... rnshot.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/v ... rnshot.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
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Dick Barthel
- Posts: 901
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 10:29
- Location: Dream Weaver, CD25D, Noank, CT
Re: That's Not Lake - - -
I hope you do OJ.! And I love your stories....keep'em coming.Oswego John wrote:- - - Woebegone
Because of that great link you gave us in regard to locking/freewheeling the prop, I'm seriously reconsidering re- entering the fray. I know, I know...
The spirit is strong, but the body is weak - - - and it's sooo tempting.
O J
Dick