... all our sailing is in the Bahamas, between there and FLA. The easterlies make sense of what you say, the angle or steepness of the swell or chop.
And if I'm in the same camp as Tom, that makes me feel much better. I think he's got the answer too ... As Tom suggests, this feeling is more than a feeling at times, at times it is distinct, instantly recognizable. Regardless what the instruments say.
thanks, cheers, John