by Oldfrog » Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:59 am
As previously said, it depends upon the weather. It also depends upon the driver, too. ( Please dont be insulted), but I've seen folks who have owned boats for years do stupid stuff because they were never taught how to properly handle their craft in rough water. For 10 years, I've run a 1996 17 foot Skeeter bass boat on Big Lake, but I'm choosy where I go and I pay a great deal of attention to wind direction, speed and approaching storms.
' Never had a problem....not even in 4 foot swells when that famous Big Lake SE wind hits 20 knots....as it's so famous for doing in the spring. Lots of places to go with a small boat when the wind is below 8-9 knots. Very few, when it's out of the SE at 15+ knots. In my humble opinion ( and that's all it is) ....a 19 foot CC, in something like a Kenner, etc....with a 115 on it is about ideal for Big Lake during "sane" fishing days. If you wouldnt go out in a seaworthy 19.....then you have no business going out in a 22 on that same day. It's insane to do so. You'd have to step up to a 24+ to begin to be safe....and even then, you wont enjoy the trip. I've had an 18 foot Nautic Star out there with a 25 knot SE wind, and while we were relatively safe, a less experienced boater might have taken one over the stern or the side, if he wasnt careful. It's all about trim, angle of attack and throttle control during those conditions. Err on the side of caution and you'll be OK in about anything that doesnt leak, has a great anchor, plenty of anchor rope, and a reliable outboard. Get something with a fairly shallow draft, if you can, so you can get into some of those great spots. Have fun shopping !