Creating a 3d 'floor'

I am wanting to create a scene where you are travelling ahead in a straight line in a boat.

In the same principal as a starfield animation the sea should appear to be coming closer all the time. I’ve had a good look for tutorials but no luck, i also tried searching the forum but it would’nt let me search for ‘3d’ as it’s too short a phrase!

any help would be fantastic,
Ali