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> < If you are on a watercraft half way between,>
> You're not disagreeing with me, you may have just failed to note that I
> pointed out the fetch is 4000 miles--to the Califormia coastal sailor. The
> fetch will be different at every different distance in the path.

Jared

You bring up an interesting memory that I had put aside regarding fetch and
waves (which would also affect current).  This summer (AKA the "summer that
never was" on Lake Michigan) a lot of wind from the north.  Sailing out of
Michigan City on the southern coast. 10-28 kt breezes out of the north for
several days one extended weekend. 10 statute miles (love those Great Lakes
charts) big but nicely formed wave trains and swells.  Within 2-3 miles of
the dunes, mashed potatoes--huge piles of water.  Reading Trevor and
thinking back, I was "set up."  What we saw was water bouncing of the
southern shore in depths ranging from 40-200 feet.

In this case, although fetch was several hundred miles and time was in days,
because we were in near proximity to the shore (an perhaps factor in onshore
breezes kicked up a notch by the the northerly breeze--exacerbated by
shallow depths) it was a wild ride.

While fetch related to waves/wind-induced current may indeed be measured in
shore-to-ship distance for Doug on the high seas, in this case you make a
strong point that what is leeward of the craft and proximity also plays a
role.

Bill

   

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