[askipper3]

This may need to be a new thread.
As I have thought about this, I realized that the real limit for the 20' is the ability of the man at the helm. I know some people with much less experience than I who: (a) have no idea of the limitations of their boat; (b) have no idea of the limitations of their knowledge and experience; and (c) have an overdose of the running stupids.

Here's I was chatting on the dock with the local TowBoatUS captain a few days ago, and one of the marina's customers was listening. The weather was bad, and I remarked on this very topic, and opined that I won't head out in 4-6' seas, even in my SeaCraft. The TowBoat captain agreed with me, and this guy who recently bought a 24' SeaCat with t/130 Hondas bragged that he would no hesitate to go out in anything up to 8'. (His total prior experience was an 18' Bayliner Trophy, owned for 2 years.) In fact, he bragged, he was heading out that day to go grouper fishing 30 miles offshore on the FL west coast with the wind blowing 25-30 kts out of the NNE.

The very next day I was at the marina again when he was towed in by, yep, TowBoatUS. Seemed he spent the night offshore for 11 hours after a wave he said was 8-10' higher than his foredeck came over the bow and literally took off his T-top and knocked his console loose from the deck. All 3 guys on board were battered and bruised. He said he couldn't come in on his own because his hydraulic steering lines were broken. I asked him why he didn't just steer with his engines. He looked at me and said, "Can you really do that?" The USCG went and got him and brought him in to where the TowBoat service took over. He was not a member. Cost? $425 for the tow alone.

See items a, b, and c in paragraph 1, above.

BTW, from years of working in marinas, I've more stupid boater stories than you can imagine. If you ever need some entertainment, and your boat's not ready for the water, just take a lawn chair down to the busiest local boat ramp. Spend the day. Watch. Roll on the ground laughing. It's great entertainment. If you feel charitable, you can even offer to help from time to time. I know I have.

Beleive it or not this....this was the response I was waiting for!!!!!!!!!

It is so true, I just wanted to see what everyones views were on it, but the truth is it is the captians judgement and ability.