Knowledge category
Weather and Sea State: facts
Wind speed alone is not a marine forecast.
Sea state combines wave height, period, steepness, swell, chop, and direction.
Tide changes water level; current moves water horizontally.
Visibility, pressure trend, squalls, local effects, and timing can change the practical risk quickly.
Weather and Water Conditions
Tide / Current
Vertical water-level change and horizontal water movement.
Swell / Chop
Longer-period waves from distant weather and short, steep local waves.
Fetch
Distance wind blows over water and allows waves to build.
Squall / Gust
Sudden wind increases, sometimes with rain or lower visibility.
Weather and Sea State terms
Each link opens the exact terminology entry with a definition, example, aliases, and related terms.
BarometerAn instrument that measures atmospheric pressure for weather awareness.ChopShort, steep, irregular waves often created by local wind or wind against current.CurrentWater movement in a direction, often caused by tide, river flow, or ocean circulation.FetchThe distance wind blows over open water, allowing waves to build.GustA brief increase in wind speed.Lee shoreA shore downwind of the boat, where wind or waves may push the boat toward land.Quartering seaWaves approaching from an aft quarter rather than directly ahead, abeam, or astern.Sea stateThe condition of the sea surface, including wave height, period, and steepness.SquallA sudden, often strong increase in wind, sometimes with rain or reduced visibility.SwellLonger-period waves that have traveled away from their generating wind.TideThe periodic rise and fall of sea level caused mainly by the moon and sun.VisibilityThe distance at which objects can be seen clearly.
References
Sources and Method Notes
Boatpedia reference
Open sourceBoatpedia terminology reference
Marine vocabulary reference for definitions, aliases, examples, and related terms.
Next reference
Related Boatpedia Pages
Sailing ReferenceMarine Weather Forecastsfoundation / 8 minMarine forecast pages combine wind, waves, warnings, visibility, tide, current, local effects, and update timing into a departure decision.Sailing ReferenceSafety and Navigationfoundation / 7 minCore safety, communication, and navigation terms a new crew member will hear early.Sailing ReferenceSailing and Maneuversfoundation / 6 minPoints of sail, steering instructions, and common maneuvers used underway.