Sea Conditions

[CCNautical]

I am trying to determine or get a benchmark of what you guys usually go out in as far as sea conditions (wave heights, wind etc). I understand this depends a lot on the size of the boat how far offshore and your abilities to handle the boat. I myself am in a 24' ft boat with twin engines and plan on being with 5-10 miles of shore just not a 100% sure on what wave heights I can go out in and still fish any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I fish off of Cape Cod by the way.

Thank you for your help.

[sportfishingusa]

wave heights is half the battle. check into the period between the swells..

[Big Fish Billy]

Comfort level is Key...if you're holding on for dear life, I doubt your having fun, which is what is all about. For your size boat, 10-15 mph winds would be tops, that will put up 2'-4' waves, that's enough for you...and we all know, the boat can take a lot more than you......

[seapower]

Rough is a "relative" term. It's what you're used too and feel comfortable in. If your fishing for fun, remember that. You don't have to be there. Use your head and don't try to prove anything to anyone. You'll figure it out yourself without any problems. The size of your boat matter's, but it's your wisdom that'll get you back home safely. Frank,SeaPower

[anthony]

Comfort level is Key...if you're holding on for dear life, I doubt your having fun, which is what is all about. For your size boat, 10-15 mph winds would be tops, that will put up 2'-4' waves, that's enough for you...and we all know, the boat can take a lot more than you......

On a boat that size I agree with this assesment...no more than 15knot winds and probably less than that if anywhere out of the east.

[Robja]

We fish on a 25 ft boat and 4' is about all the abuse I want to take. If they are in a swell its not bad but a windy day with alot of chop and the waves coming close together I wouldn't want to mess with anythin greater than 4'. If a thunder storm comes up those 4 footers can go to 10 real quick and then you may be in trouble. We generally slow troll(less than 2mph) and 4' gets real bouncy.

[Big Fish Billy]

We fish on a 25 ft boat and 4' is about all the abuse I want to take. If they are in a swell its not bad but a windy day with alot of chop and the waves coming close together I wouldn't want to mess with anythin greater than 4'. If a thunder storm comes up those 4 footers can go to 10 real quick and then you may be in trouble. We generally slow troll(less than 2mph) and 4' gets real bouncy.

I have a 40 footer, weighs 17 tons, I like 4" waves the best....my drinks don't spill......

[captian]

All captains have made good points; thus far however it is really hard to know what your comfort level is until you are uncomfortable. That being said I will tell you this; we all have a voice inside us that helps to keep us safe from harm. If you are approaching that inlet heading out to sea and that voice tells you, "back it down you aren’t ready for this yet", then you better listen to it. And if you find yourself out at sea thinking about should you start heading back and you hear that voice, than you better listen. Lastly I will say this, if you've found yourself in the soup bowl and things get ugly then it's time to tell that voice to shut up because you've got work to-do. Half the joy in canyon fishing for me is being a boater, accomplishing the voyage. That means making the right calls, and handling the situation-at hand- when I make the wrong calls. All in all it's getting my crew, myself, and my boat home in one piece and able to tell the tail. Don't be so worried about what size sea you can handle, because you never know what size sea you may find yourself in. Just try to be the best captain you can at all times and always put your crews’ safety first. When you find yourself in a tight situation never get caught up in backwards thinking, what could have prevented this, always remain forward thinking. That is what will get you home and in one piece. A good video was posted here some time ago it was about an off shore trip on a 54 Bertram that lost a rudder seal on the way in. If you find it pay close attention to the captain, he stays calm directs without giving orders, thinks ahead. Although every one onboard was helping, in one way or another, the captain truly controlled this disaster from the cockpit with out any problems. If you watch the video notice how he asks on guy to open the crash pump to the engine but forward thinking he tell the mate on be bridge to keep and eye on the engine temps, this is good seamanship. I hope to be that good if I ever find myself in a serious situation. In a nut shell it's what feels right to you. After all you'll be the one to have to fix your mistakes, we all make them.

[Capt. Brian Daley]

All captains have made good points; thus far however it is really hard to know what your comfort level is until you are uncomfortable. That being said I will tell you this; we all have a voice inside us that helps to keep us safe from harm. If you are approaching that inlet heading out to sea and that voice tells you, "back it down you aren’t ready for this yet", then you better listen to it. And if you find yourself out at sea thinking about should you start heading back and you hear that voice, than you better listen. Lastly I will say this, if you've found yourself in the soup bowl and things get ugly then it's time to tell that voice to shut up because you've got work to-do. Half the joy in canyon fishing for me is being a boater, accomplishing the voyage. That means making the right calls, and handling the situation-at hand- when I make the wrong calls. All in all it's getting my crew, myself, and my boat home in one piece and able to tell the tail. Don't be so worried about what size sea you can handle, because you never know what size sea you may find yourself in. Just try to be the best captain you can at all times and always put your crews’ safety first. When you find yourself in a tight situation never get caught up in backwards thinking, what could have prevented this, always remain forward thinking. That is what will get you home and in one piece. A good video was posted here some time ago it was about an off shore trip on a 54 Bertram that lost a rudder seal on the way in. If you find it pay close attention to the captain, he stays calm directs without giving orders, thinks ahead. Although every one onboard was helping, in one way or another, the captain truly controlled this disaster from the cockpit with out any problems. If you watch the video notice how he asks on guy to open the crash pump to the engine but forward thinking he tell the mate on be bridge to keep and eye on the engine temps, this is good seamanship. I hope to be that good if I ever find myself in a serious situation. In a nut shell it's what feels right to you. After all you'll be the one to have to fix your mistakes, we all make them.

Good advice well said

[jawz12]

excellent advice above...

don't believe what others tell you...what i mean by that,don't believe everything you read,you're gonna read about guys fishing offshore in 10' seas in a 20' grady white,being comfortable and dry-you're gonna hear guys telling you they can run in 4-6' seas at 35kts in a 25 gw sailfish...don't believe what other's claim...anything more than 15kt winds and you're gonna get your ass kicked...short period seas means that boat's gonna throw some water-better have a real good enclosure...a deep v hulled boat is gonna ride better,but it's gonna throw some water.a modified v hull,like a parker,a judge,a grady,these are gonna beat you to death in a short period sea...remember all this...