In navigation, what is 'fetch'?
Short answer
The distance over water for which wind blows in a broadly consistent direction—one factor in wave development
Fetch is the water distance over which wind acts in a broadly consistent direction. Wave growth also depends on wind strength and duration, water depth, swell and local effects, so longer fetch alone does not determine wave size. Revise this in Coastal Skipper Terminology.
Quick check
In navigation, what is 'fetch'?