Marty,
What does wind speed effect currently, besides the texture uses on the waves.
Well, to put it in "Real Terms", The wind should be what actually AFFECTS the waves...Without wind, you don't get waves...
Generally, in a very strong wind, you see what we call the "Horses" (The White foam) - Which is what you know you should keep away from...
The effect of the wind on a ship/mass at sea, is also called "Leeway", in other words, you get blown off your course because of the wind directly...On top of that, you get "Set and drift", which is where the tide moves you away from your course...The two together can be under-estimated by skippers. leeway can affect some boats/ships more than others, depending on the Superstructure which the wind can grasp...Set and drift effects pretty much everything, though, because it's what's under the water..Sometimes you can be pushed at 2-3 knots, if you're stationary, even more, at times!
Although that doesn't have anything to do with Ship Sim itself, I thought I'd contribute the bits I know!!
Jack.
p.s. Note: You don't have to be stationary for either to affect you...Trans-Atlantic liners and such travel in a curve, as oppose to a line (Forgot the name now...It'll come to me soon), to try and combat the effects of Leeway/Set and drift...and all the other factors..