There are any number of inflatables that would be OK well off the coast.
They tend to be big. I have ridden on one that went over 35 feet and would
be safe in any coastal waters. I would feel reasonably comfortable in a 9
footer within 5 miles of the coast...though I would pilot such a craft from
the main land to Catalina with an escort. With proper equipment I would not
have any great trouble taking a 12 footer or so to Catalina. I would be
careful about when I went however.

I would not take anything small into a sea bigger than 3 or 4 feet.

Jim Donohue
"Falky foo" wrote in message
...
Hey, are there any inflatables that anyone here would be comfortable
piloting 10-20 miles from shore? (let's say off the southern calif.
shore).