Use of a speed log for the detection of sea waves

摘要

In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of using a speed log for the detection of sea waves. To this aim we performed two series of measurements aboard a 41 feet sailboat under different sea wave conditions. Our results show that the appearance of well-formed waves can easily be detected by commercial devices, by simply performing a Fast Fourier Transform over the transducer output signal. Moreover, from the spectral patterns obtained it is possible to distinguish if the wave reaches the hull by the bow, stern or side of the vessel.