Take what the bouy data says, and add 1' to it. Look at wind forcaste also. I like to look here for hourly forecast. East winds will always come up at calm to a foot through NOAA. A 1650 Crestliner Fish hawk is a nice boat, but not ment to be out in 4' waves. If you use an open bow boat for great lakes fishing, invest in a Bow Cover. One wave over the front and it could be lights out.