"Gary Drescher" wrote in message
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As for making the shortest run (relative to the land), wouldn't you want
to be going upwind (relative to the water) and upstream, rather than
upwind and downstream?

He didn't say anything about "relative to land". If you want the shortest
run relative to land, the only thing that really matters is the wind
direction and speed. But I think that's not what he was talking about.

Of course, since you're on the water, if you do it this way you ignore some
important factors. In reality, it's all a trade-off. There is no perfect
scenario the way there might be on a paved runway. For one, with the wind
against the water, waves can be an issue. So even though downstream with a
headwind minimizes water speed and maximizes the headwind, it means you're
operating in rougher conditions. A headwind going downstream may be better,
since it still reduces your water speed (helping compensate somewhat for
landing against the current), while not stirring up the water surface so
much.

And, of course, all of that ignores any local features of the landing area.
Terrain, rocks, course of the river, etc. all come into play as well.
There's almost never one absolutely best way to land a seaplane, though
there are usually more bad ways than good ways.

Pete