[quote] 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?).

You would think, but not always true. Sometimes the open water lets the water settle and it is just rolling swells, while in the harbor it's a Maytag. I experienced this friday after work with the wind blowing one way and the current going another and the two created alot of stink!