Beaufort Scale - wind and sea conditions

(sail-world) '..so there we were in a Force 8..' 'A what?' '..a Force 8, and the winch jammed...' ' What's a Force 8 mate?' 'It's a bloody big wind - where do you come from?' 'Australia.' 'I see old chap - that explains it. Now can I get on with my story?' READ MORE