Its intresting this thing called fetch( big rollers from pos.100mls away),something I never even thought about. Youd think in this day and age with all the variables someone would have put them all in a computer,then take an average say 20ft boat ,and on a scale of 0 to 10 how comfortable and safe it is to go out lets say 10 miles ofshore,it would certainly make my life easyer.Untill that day I think probably the best thing to do is to ask Mike or one of the other experienced members.Im like you GJB I dont live near the sea but I quite often look on Highcliff sailing club web cams ,if I only go out when its slight and smooth and 3to4 Iwould go mad at home sitting around for months.