Wavesize vs danger on a sailboat

[DumnMad]

Deep water 8 - 10m waves, you go up the windward side of the wave then coming out of the sheltered trough get hit by the full force of the wind just as you are tipping leeward down the leeward side and if you're lucky get a push from the top of the wave breaking against your hull as well. I felt the inertia of the rather heavy boat reduced the knock-down effect of the gust and wave smack but no help regarding the slope of the wave surface.
Seemed to me that righting moment was helped by three things:
1. Short duration of the hit from the wave.
2. Reduced windage as you drop into the trough.
3 Water surface becoming less steep as you surf into the trough.

[thomm225]

In Richard Henderson's Book Singlehanded Sailing, he explains how several sailors survived in 30'-40' waves on boats from 18' and up by Scudding. Running off............. with jerry rigged drogues........(anchors)

http://www.amazon.com/Singlehanded-S.../dp/0070281645