Wave height on lake Ontario

[paphman]

My wife and I purchased a cat. 22 We are going to sail it on lake Ontario. My question is how large can the waves get on the lake, and still feel like you have control of the boat. My wife and I have been sailing for alot of years, so we are by no means new to the sport. Looking forward to all answers.

 

[Doug]

Hello from Lake Superior!

Hey der! My last boat was a C-22. Sailed it for manyyears in the great white north.I would guess 4 footers are when the puckerfactor would start to increase. The 22 is a sturdy boat, and can take lots. I hadthe swing keel though, it bounced arounda little (although locked down) in that kinda of wx.1-3s were comfortable...and steady 2's the best.Have fun! And reef early.....

 

[Tim McCarty]

Not sure how the depth is on Lake Ont.

However, if it is anything like Lake Erie, the waves can go from 1 foot (west/southwest winds) to 4-6 feet (north/northeast wind)in a snap. I usually guage the wind action to tell me how high the waves will be. I've had west winds in the 20knot range, and still had 2 footers on the lake. I have, however also had north winds in the 12 knot range with 6 foot waves. I usually will get "uncomfortable" after about 7 or 8 footers. For what it's worth.

 

[Alchemist]

Lake Ontario is MUCH DEEPER than Erie

It is on average the second deepest of the great lakes. I got the following figures about Lake Ontario:LENGTH: 193 miles / 311 km. BREADTH: 53 miles / 85 km. AVERAGE DEPTH: 283 ft. / 86 m MAXIMUM DEPTH: 802 ft. / 244 m. VOLUME: 393 cubic miles / 1,640 cubic km. WATER SURFACE AREA: 7,340 sq. miles / 18,960 sq. km.  TOTAL DRAINAGE BASIN AREA: 24,720 sq. miles / 64,030 sq. km.DRAINAGE BASIN AREA BY STATE/PROVINCE: New York: 13,500 sq mi; 35,000 sq kmOntario: 11,200 sq mi; 29,100 sq kmPennsylvania: 100 sq mi; 300 sq kmSHORELINE LENGTH (including islands): 712 miles / 1,146 km. ELEVATION: 243 ft. / 74 m. OUTLET: St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean RETENTION/REPLACEMENT TIME: 6 years You get pretty big waves on Ontario, but they don't build up as fast or as steep as those on Erie. If you take proper precautions and watch the weather, your C-22 will be a lot of fun sailing on Lake Ontario.AlchemistC-320Holland MI

 

[paphman]

Thanks

Holland, That was some great info about Ontario. Most of those facts I did not know. Thanks for your input. Dale