WOW!

I certainly don't know the answer to that. I'm not sure that anyone knows for sure. It must have something to do with your experience and comfort level. At the very least, one would have to figure that if the swells and chop were rough in protected water, the open ocean would be downright trecherous (sp?).

I've got to figure its one of those things that is learned at least some by trial and error. Next time you are out and the conditions are the same as this past time, you will probably think twice about venturing too far. I think Pavlov called it a conditioned response.

But it does make for a good story...

John
Palmdale, CA
H16