(Bump)

If the wind is blowing hard enough to make it a chore to carry my kayak to the beach on my shoulder, then I ain't going out. I've had a time, or two when the wind came up during the day when I was out paddling and I at least had to consider an alternate means of getting the boat back to my rig, but the wind always dropped off.

Generally I'm pretty lucky to live where the wind very seldom blows too hard to paddle, except in a storm. I have zero interest in being out in a storm. Anyone who claims to be able to paddle into a 30 knot wind for more than a very short distance is probably wrong about the wind speed.

I'll get an anemometer which I can use on construction site also. Cool to guess and then look at wind speeds.

Went out today 20 mph and gust to 35. Made the shallow bay pretty rough. That was the weather report not my guess. I just knew it was WINDY!

I guess I'm not sure exactly how knowing the precise speed of the wind where you are presently kayaking really matters.

First of all, the direction and fetch and water depth and coastline features and everything else all add up to what "the conditions" are.

Secondly, when you're actually out paddling already, whether you're handling the conditions or not has zero dependence on what you measure the speed to be.

Thirdly, how will your precise measurements from other trips be of use--according to your logic--in predicting whether or not you will paddle a given stretch of water, for as you've noted, any weather forecasts will be for the area in general, and not for the speed right at your kayak. I suppose if you're standing on the beach with an onshore blow, you could measure that and compare to prior experience. But then again, your senses should tell you all you need to know about those current, local conditions.

Illusion, your post suggests that you haven't followed this thread from start to finish. If you go back and check out all of the many entries here, you may find your questions and concerns addressed. And, are we to understand that you are replying to Stormy?