J wrote:

I made the trip to T. H. last Thanksgiving in my Sundancer 220. I
often travel from Ch Is Harbor to Santa Cruz Is. in same. Like the
previous folks said, avoid the chop. This size boat can't cut thru
chop at all. I had a pleasant trip both ways traveling when calm
seas prevailed. Wish I was there today.

Actually, the size of the boat isn't the problem as much as the type. These
boats typically have semi-V hulls that pound badly in a seaway. It's a
compromise made for speed and fuel efficiency in flat water, which is where most
of them are used -- joyriding, pulling skiers, etc. The more
work/fishing-oriented boats like Grady-White have "seakeeping" hulls with deeper
Vs, more freeboard and flare. These offer a smoother, drier ride, at the
expense of top speed and efficiency. Even the under-20' models can handle some
pretty rough seas relatively comfortably.

Matt O.