Biggest LOTO waves???
11-11-2008 | 03:04 PM
#51
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From: Central IL
From what I've read on here, proper wave height is the distance from normal water level to the crest of the wave. With that in mind, I suspect that many people are measuring a wave from the trough to the crest, or double of the previously mentioned method.
From my experience, I would say that the biggest cruiser waves I've jumped on my ski were from 4'-6' from trough to crest. I can "surf" some of them and ride up and down them on the ski, so they're not small. I think that's a realistic guess. But 6' would definitely be the max, IMO. JM$.02.
Since the waves are caused by boats in multiple directions, the washing machine effect makes it quite chaotic, but I can't personally compare it to the ocean. I'd have to think those poker runs down south would get meaner waves, although possibly more predictable. ?????
From my experience, I would say that the biggest cruiser waves I've jumped on my ski were from 4'-6' from trough to crest. I can "surf" some of them and ride up and down them on the ski, so they're not small. I think that's a realistic guess. But 6' would definitely be the max, IMO. JM$.02.
Since the waves are caused by boats in multiple directions, the washing machine effect makes it quite chaotic, but I can't personally compare it to the ocean. I'd have to think those poker runs down south would get meaner waves, although possibly more predictable. ?????
11-11-2008 | 03:19 PM
#52
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From: Frankfort, IL
Try coming up here on a rough day sometime! Ran from my harbor in Hammond to downtown Chicago in 5-7s this summer...at 25 mph I couldn't keep the drives in the water. The waves are much sharper and chaotic on L. Mich than the ocean. LOTO is bad, but I've run across it at 75-80 in a 42 beaker without much of a problem on a Labor Day Saturday...Lake Michigan will bring you to your knees (or just knock you to the floor of your boat...that's happened to me a couple times).
11-11-2008 | 04:21 PM
#53
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From: St. louis, East Sider
I don't care what anybody says. LOTO is a hell of a test for a boat. The waves are so confused there is no reading them. About the time you start getting a good rythym going the bottom fall out from under your boat. I had a great time after the shootout this year in the 24' but I was out of the water more than I was in it and it was just me and a buddy so I could run the way I wanted.
11-11-2008 | 05:14 PM
#54
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From: Omaha, NE, LOTO
Yes, when I estimated the biggest water I have been in at LOTO at 6' I was talking about being at the bottom of the trough and looking at the crest of what is next to me. No way it is 6' from normal water level. You get those big holes that form when multiple cruiser wakes start crossing each other. At the bottom of one of those holes standing in my boat the crests have been just below my eye level. And that is no story...
11-11-2008 | 08:18 PM
#56
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From: IL...XLOTO
The number of boats in the main channel around the 14MM on the 4th of July is nuts! We stay in a house in the old party cove at the 14MM every July during the 4th so all we have to do is idle out to the channel, watch the show, and idle back. Then we sit on the dock and look at the seemingly never ending stream of red, green, and white lights going by. It has to be one rough dog out there!!
11-11-2008 | 08:26 PM
#57
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From: IL...XLOTO
11-11-2008 | 09:08 PM
#60
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From: Here and There
The funnest water in the last couple years was when OSS race let out on the Sunday Races in 07. This year it seemed like people leaving were more staggered.
We actually ran up to the 21mm and turned around and went back to the 9mm and back to dog days for dinner and by the time we made our lap there wasn't much more wave action than a normal saturday afternoon.
It's all fun but nothing compared to the Great lakes or the ocean.
We actually ran up to the 21mm and turned around and went back to the 9mm and back to dog days for dinner and by the time we made our lap there wasn't much more wave action than a normal saturday afternoon.
It's all fun but nothing compared to the Great lakes or the ocean.
