[Fr. Frank]

I will venture out in Florida with my 20' Seafari in 3-5 seas with at least a 6 second wave period, if the waves are forecast to subside, or not get any higher. 4-6' and I stay home.

20+ years ago, I was caught out in front of a NE squall off Jupiter where it built from 3-4 at 6-7 seconds to 8-12 at 7-8 seconds in a very short time at the 300' depth level. (note to self, ALWAYS check the forecast!!!) The subsequent 18 mile run in down to Lake Worth Inlet took a whole lot of concentration and seamanship in a following sea of that size, because, fortunately, I was not stupid enough to shoot Jupiter Inlet in seas that big. In a big Nor'easter, Jupiter lives up to it's rep as the 9th most dangerous inlet in the US. In 8-12', Jupiter Inlet can break 20' at the bar.
(Palm Beach County has 3 of the 10 most dangerous inlets in the US, Boynton #3, Jupiter #9, and Boca Raton #10)