[kmoose]

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.