Waves compared

[HTHM]

Being used to the waves on Erie, I was pleasantly surprised at the waves on Lake Ontario this afternoon. I found them to be a lot easier to ride than on Erie. Why is that? I was in two footers on both lakes and found Ontario to be much smoother.

[OhioFisherman]

I think it has something to do with Lake Ontario being a much deeper lake, it might not get as much chop to the waves.

[DRIFTER_016]

Yep, deeper lake equals smoother chop.

[Gnote]

Honestly i think that you got a nice day, i have seen some downright nasty chop on lake ontario.

This sat was the first where id had seen rollers on lo in the 8-9 times ive been down, a couple of my past trips it was pretty rough.

[kickingfrog]

Yep big and shallow. Nipissing, Lake Winnipeg etc. Any water can get nasty in a hurry but big and shallow just adds to it.

[Freshtrax]

Depending on where you are in the lake makes a difference... 2 footers off bronte are a nightmare with 20 mph west wind... 2 footers off bronte with 6 mph east wind. Much different they have time to space out.

[dave524]

Three footers when the waves are building are far nastier than 3 footers when the waves are diminishing. Gone out many times both lakes after a good blow the previous day and found big swells but spaced way far apart after the winds diminished, at those times 3/4 footers are a non issue. Lake Erie being shallower blows up a bit faster but lays down quicker after a good blow.

[landry]

I find Erie and St clair waves to be more spread out and therefore harder to get on top of with my 16' boat.