NavList:

Frank wrote:

 

Here's an article that explores the refraction idea a little further:
http://fer3.com/x.aspx/waves
(links to the page at Ocean Navigator). This author also adds something that I didn't know which is that the NOAA offshore forecast -routinely- refers to higher waves in the Gulf Stream when the wind is out of the north. This author makes a pretty good case that waves travelling opposed to a current are focused by the gradient in velocity along the current boundary. I would love to see some calculational confirmation nevertheless.

 

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I have no need for calculations of this.  I was heading up the gulf stream off the coast of Florida heading to Cape Canaveral on an empty ship.  The wind was from the north and the waves started getting VERY steep.  I started pounding so badly I had to cut my speed in half and still managed to snap the running light off of the foremast.  We ended up 2 hours late for arrival.

 

Also, when you approach the gulf stream, you can certainly tell the boundary by both water color and by wave action at the interface.  I won't attempt to quantify it however.

 

Jeremy

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