Question about my new boat...

[Swampbugs]

Just bought an 06' 14ft alumacraft with a 15 horse honda. I'm mostly a bass fisherman, but I wanna take it down to St. Joe this weekend and run out to the end of the peninsula. I see it is supposed to get pretty windy. I don't spend much time out on the salt water, but that size boat should be fine on the bay, right? Thanks.

[culrich]

With what they are calling for on Saturday and Sunday, I would keep yo butt on the lake.

[Charlie P]

St. Joe Bay can be as rough as the Gulf. Sometimes you can stay on the shallow edges and be OK, when the wind is blowing but....it is a very deep bay and can swamp larger boats when she's angry.

Don't ask how I know this!

[Scoop Sea]

I came across the bay last year during an afternoon storm during scallop season and I thought I was being filmed for "The Perfect Storm II". I was in a 21 foot Sea Pro and it was taking a beating. Be careful.....

[Tidedancer]

NO!

[Chalk]

SE wind you would be fine for launching at Presnells and staying on the flat to the fire channel....I would not venture west or north of Black's Island and not goto the peninsula....would be rough as hell on the Cape on the inside with a SE wind

[sanblaslayer]

Yep. I get beat usually every time I run back into the bay from the beachside with a southern wind. Taking waves over the bow and idling the whole way is pretty standard for me on a windy afternoon. And my boat is 21'.

[jsuber]

I reference this post and read it well.

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... rks#p99864

[Jumptrout51]

NO

[Flint River Pirate]

Just be VERY careful! I have always had jon boats and in fact prefer them to my bay boat in some situations. However, watch the weather. The big danger is waves swamping your boat and it is easy to happen. You have a bilge pump, right?

[Harmsway]

. . .14ft alumacraft with a 15 horse honda. . . that size boat should be fine on the bay, right?

Right; when "protected waters" conditions are "smooth" or "smooth to a light chop"; mostly smooth. That means winds 10 knots or less.

Here is forecast for this weekend:

Saturday
South wind 10 to 15 knots...increasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas building to 4 to 6 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop to choppy.

Sunday
South wind around 15 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop.

Forget Saturday. I wouldn't risk it on Sunday either; But if you do, and if you get nervous, turn back right away.

[leesburgga]

absolutely not this weekend. we store our 26' at psj marina...we find the bay to often be rougher than the gulf...we had planned to go this weekend, but are cancelling based on the forecast...even if the 4 to 6 went to 2 to 4, still do not try it in the boat you mentioned.

[MudDucker]

If you have to ask, the answer is usually no. With this forecast, you should ask and the answer is no, if the forecast is right.

[What a mess]

Could I interest you in some life insurance looks like your gonna need it.

[wevans]

I go Grouper fishin in my 17.5 Bass boat, and I wouldn't hit PSJ with that forecast wait for a better weekend, you'll enjoy fishing out there when the weather is right