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Obviously - in the open seas - roller waves (typical of the atlantic) are not too critical. Any boat/cork will float in water.
The question is referring to the large chop waves / short interval waves (typical of the gulf of mexico or at an inlet/outlet).
If accidentally caught in foul weather off shore. How big of a sea (in feet) can a 27' offshore monohull with twin engine safely handle? In heading seas? In following seas? In quartering seas?
Please don't give the "dare devil" answer. I am looking for the "real world conservative be safe" answer. In other words when it is time start thinking "get in the raft and abandon ship" and radio the maday call "come and save us."
I have a 26 regulator and I have been caught out 80 miles south of dauphin Island in 8 to 10's. It was a little unnerving but I never was scared or felt unsafe.
I think it depends on the brand of the boat, I have been in My 26 regulator when a storm blew in on us, it was me my 2 kids 14 and 10 and my wife. The seas went from a 1 foot chop to 6 - 8 footers in about 1/2 hour time period. The wind was cranking 30 -40 and the rain was blinding. We felt safe and the boat was AMAZING. the worst part for all of us was constant close lightning strikes. If not for that we would of mentally been fine. My wife and kids were behind the leaning post on bean bags, that made a difference too.
Would I have felt the same way on a trophy, angler, sea fox, or bayliner......... I dont think so.
I bought the boat for just incase and when it hit the fan, I knew I made the right decision.
__________________ 16 Sears Gamefisher 3.5 Merc
16 Tri Hull 90 Yamaha
16 Egret C/K 90 Yamaha
24 Pathfinder 225 Yamaha
26 Regulator twin 200 hpdi
24 Yellowfin 250 Yamaha
20 Young 225 Evinrude HO - Current Boat
I would say that it all boils down to the capability of the skipper and crew. If you're looking for a pat answer, then I'd say you need to stay where it's calm.
In a small boat like this,I really don't think the brand matters,as none of them are going to ride well.Some maybe stronger than others,that would be my only concern.Just keep in mind a 10 foot wave in a small boat is like looking up at a wall.
I would say that it all boils down to the capability of the skipper and crew. If you're looking for a pat answer, then I'd say you need to stay where it's calm.
Regards,
Barry
Of course I am not looking for a pat answer.
I totally understand that off shore experience is equally important. However all that experience without the right gear (aka the right boat & safety equipments) all that experience is useless. Don't get me wrong - all the safety equipments without any experience is also useless.
So with experience aside. Assume the captain/crew is up to par. For a 27 with twins - I have to draw the line at 12-14 footers. This is the point where I will have the liveraft/epirb very close by and ready to be deploy - just in case I have to abandon ship.
I don't think you will find many people who would say it is anything but an extreme daredevil move to take a 27 foot boat of any brand out in 12 foot seas.
You can't put a number on it. 4', 6', 10', whatever...Every sea is different, with too many factors to predict while sitting in front of a computer screen.
When it get's rough, and my crew and I get uncomfortable, it's time to head in. Fishing in rough seas is also really hard on gear. May not sink the boat, but can do serious damage when $hit starts flying around.
Get out on the water on some days with moderate conditions, and stick close to shore. You'll learn how to handle the boat, and where to draw the line.
When it goes from uncomfortable to dangerous, you'll know. Sometimes it only takes 4' seas to be dangerous. One wrong move and you've got a boat full of water...add in a broken bilge pump and you have disaster.
Would I have felt the same way on a trophy, angler, sea fox, or bayliner......... I dont think so.
__________________ 2004 Trophy 2902 WA with Merc 225 EFIs
Sucks gas and hauls ass!
One step ahead and you are a genius, two steps ahead and you are a misfit.
I've been in a LEGIT 10' in my 27 Albemarle (28 now). That was as big as I would have felt safe in (didnt really feel Safe perse). 2 kts for an hour and took a few over the hard top. At one point I did see under water through the windshield.
In my experiance the only time you will see 12'-14' seas in the GOM is during a hurricane! Thursday we braved the pass and the gulf was a what I would call a really really nasty 4' chop. We were in a 22' Mako and deemed it too ruff for us. We tucked our tail between our legs and docked the boat. We saw a 26' Sailfish come in. The guys on the boat went on and on how they seas were 8'-9'! I think too many people over-estimate waves!!!
To answer your question I wouldn't get into a life raft until the boat was sinking! In my area I would tuck in behind a drilling rig/production platform and ride out the bad weather. If I had to ride home in it everyone would hold on tight and all safety gear would be ready to deploy and we would take our time. I would get worried when every wave put "green" water over the bow. Not sure how big of a wave that would take.
Some of you should stop posting since you can't seem to read/understand the original question.
Here is it again if you missed it. If caught in a storm - how much seas can a 27 monohull with twin engine safely handle? Do I have to make it red?
For those that are questioning my experience. Yes I have rode through real 8-9 footers and it ain't no joke. It makes a 25 footer w/ twin honda 225 feels like a jet ski. However still manageable - if the captain is well experienced.
I think the big issue is swamping the boat. As for the 12-14'ers, I have seen them one time and that was from shore. No way I would want to be in those, even in my 60' Hatt. In that big of a boat we do not fish in bigger than 4-6'. The boat can take it but the crew can not. BTW lots of folks like to classify swells by the biggest one they see. If you are in 6' seas then something like 1 in 100 is double that height. That does not mean you were in 12' seas, it means you saw a 12' rogue wave. Personally I would not want to be in seas larger than 3-5' in a 27' boat.
Sorry didn't mean to ruffle your feathers.......thought I was answering your question.
Can tell you the biggest waves I have encountered while in a 27' CC was about 5-6' short wind driven waves. It was very very uncomfortable and we had to idle thru it. Remembering that day I would be on the radio with the CG in 8-10'. Anything over 3-4' makes it too uncomfortable to fish IMO.
27 monohull vs the open seas 
