Those are streaks on the water surface. He's talking about the tops blowing
off and keeping right on going. It really gets your attention the first
time you see it.

--

Roger Long



"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
the wind starts blowing the tops off waves in streaks of foam about 24
knots.

Somewhere between 30 and 35 knots the wind begins to rip off the wave
tops and send them through the air like the stream from a fire hose.
I've found it to be an infallible guide to near gale force conditions.
Also, the rigging begins to howl like a banshee in that wind range and
above.