TROCHOIDAL WAVE THEORY, (from the Greek "TROCHOS" meaning WHEEL ). The diameter of the "wheel" is equal to the height of the wave. The period of the wave determines the time it takes for the wheel to make one revolution. The approximate rate at which the water molecules rotate at their orbital (surface) velocity can be determined by dividing the circumference of the wheel by the wave period.
INCORRECT RODE LENGTH (TOO SHORT). Molecular rotation upwind in the trough and the corresponding rotation downwind on the crest cause the boat and the parachute to momentarily converge.
INCORRECT RODE LENGTH (TOO SHORT). Molecular rotation downwind on the crest and the corresponding rotation upwind in the trough cause the boat and the parachute to momentarily diverge (move apart). Note also how the inadequate rode length causes the sea anchor to interfere with buoyancy of the yacht as well, ALL IN ALL A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS SCENARIO.
CORRECT RODE LENGTH: The long rode leaves the boat free to rise/move/rotate with the seas, and by stretching acts as a "buffer" to absorb much of the peak divergence loads; notice how the rode has been finely adjusted so that the boat and the sea anchor are rotating in unison on their respective waves.
Orbital rotation can result in boat and sea anchor diverging or converging at many knots. For the actual speed of rotation see Shewmon paper entitled SEA ANCHOR - RODE TACTICS. (Shewmon, Inc. 1000 Harbor Lake Dr., Safety Harbor FL 33572).
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