If you have a large enough tow vehicle . . . get a 23 or 25.

Going offshore where would help to better inform you ??
(We have members all over the world !))

I have run my 20 SF from Daytona (Ponce Inlet) to 50 miles out !!
Crossings from Florida to the Bahamma's... :eek:

In the keys to the Islamorda hump in 14ft seas !

As Ryan said the SeaCraft can take more than you....:cool:

Thanks for replying! 23' would be awesome just don't think owning one is maintainable for me right now... there is nothing worse than getting in a pinch and having to sell! I'll definitely look into it more though! I'm willing to put off what I want right now for what I really want in the future if I think I'd be happier in the long run!

Thanks! Ironically enough I'd run out of Ponce 80% of the time. 10% Keys 10% Maybe Bahamas. 14ft sounds like fun:eek: What interval?

I always get nervous when someone asks what is the worst conditions a particular boat can handle. I have an 18 and love it. I have found it to be very seaworthy but I still pick my days carefully. The weak link is the low transom. If you get one with a 20" make sure you have a good seal on the deck plate and a splash guard. If I was doing a lot of off shore I would want a 23. There is a picture on Classicseacraft of a 20 sitting next to a 23 (stern shot) and it tells the tale. The 23 looks like it has twice the freeboard that the 20 does. Heck it looks like the 20 would fit inside the 23. The 23 is a MUCH more robust off shore vehicle.

Good luck.

Rob

I owned a 20 Seafari model for some 7 or 8 years. Never had it out in anything that even vaguely challenged the safety of the boat, worst was 4-6 Gulf Stream with a 20 knot crosswind. I've been out in my 25 Seafari in much rougher conditions, Gulf Stream steep 7 ft following sea, 8 ft super steep and breaking beam sea with a 30-50 knot cross wind. Both of those had a high pucker factor, but neither would have been really dangerous for a 20 with a competent skipper, as long as the engine ran. I'd have not wanted to be there if the engine quit on either boat.

I don't think there are any "normal" conditions that would be truly dangerous in a well piloted 20. You would have to have special conditions, breaking seas in an inlet, huge following seas that were breaking where the depth shallowed up fast, or something similar.

Interesting question, though.

Connor

So we don't get carried away.... In a real, storm pushed following 6' seas (measured at the center of the wave) any and I mean ANY 20' and possibly 23' foot boat can be in very serious trouble. This is especially so with CCs that can take on so much water if the bow goes in that swamp and roll is possible.

Many of us have been unfortunate enough to end up in seas that we should not or did not wish to be in. Some of us including myself have foolishly done so on purpose. I think making recommendations for sea states that a 20' boat is capable of safely negotiating is subjective at best. With the right person behind the helm our boats can get us out of trouble in a pinch but in no way would I recommend heading out offshore in anything more than a forecasted day of 2-3'. Too much can happen too quickly offshore and a 20' boat is not something you want to be in when things get big and ugly regardless of how prepared you are.

This is a pic of a hefty 22' cc I found 30 miles offshore. I did my research and found out it got swamped and rolled in a bad afternoon storm in less than 20' of water off Homosassa. The forecast that day was 2' or less with isolated T storms in the afternoon. I have to wonder if the captain opted to take on the storm on the way in or just couldn't find a way around it. There were no casualties as the occupants were picked up by another vessel after the distress call was made. Salvage was refused by the owner. I guess that was enough boating for him.

I get nervous too! Generally if someone has to ask that is not a good sign! If I do go with a 20' the 20" transom wouldn't stay that way for long! I'll definitely try to hunt up that picture! Thanks!

Loss of power definitely escalates a situation quickly! Great info thanks for the insight!

I compare being offshore to drifting a car. No matter how good you are you are still trying to control a wreck:D. I agree that there are far to many variables to consider to really nail it down, but I also think there is much to be gained from a healthy discussion! The more people chime in the more I'm thinking your right keep it in the 0-3' maybe 4' depending on interval, wind, long term forecast etc otherwise don't head out. Thanks for sharing your experience!

I think the t top on my 18 is it's most limiting attribute. In a windy enough situation and caught in a trough, she would broach for sure. An 18 or a 20 with no top, an enclosed transom or splash board, properly designed scuppers, a light motor and load would be hard to stop.
You can't push the open transom issue enough...probably the factor that led to the recent tragedy. That 18 had an open transom with no board.

Out west (CA)I feel pretty comfortable in a 20 Seafari with a 300 lb 20" motor. An extra 100 lbs not so sure....But a 25" transom is a no brainer and a splash wall around the splashwell is a definite plus. My Seafari 20 handles 2-4' mixed-up slop fine, and even better if the if the form is consistent. But come 3' at 18 knots in mixed up seas, and you're doing X-Games tricks. And while she lands pretty softly, and you don't always know if you'll land in the same direction you were going. I call that enrolling with nature. In a CC these same conditions would definitely give a bit more pucker factor.

Not sure if this is what Beaver was thinking of but, here you go: