"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...
In the channel between Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands the
swells can often be 20' to 30' feet without whitecaps!

Swells are given that name specifically because they are different from what
is generally considered a wave. In particular, they are usually farther
apart (and often higher).

Not that I have personal experience -- I try to stay away from waterways
with swells -- but my understanding is that landing a seaplane in swells is
similar to ditching procedures. That is, try to land parallel to the swell,
not across it.

It's an entirely different technique from normal landings on waves.

Pete