I've done open ocean crossings in canoes between the hawaiian islands, so I can answer from experience.
Don't think of these waves like the ones you encounter at shore. Open ocean waves are moving mountains.
It isn't this: /(
It's this:
.,-~^^~-,.
___.-/ \-.__
Seriously credit to you on that ASCII art. I grew up sailing and you captured it beautifully. Well done.