As some one who grew up on the Gulf (Treasure Island, Maderia Beach, Reddington
Beach...etc) belive me, the "shallow water" alluded to in the last post can get
you in big trouble as the seas can quickly build into a steep short period
chop. Rea steep. Real quick. Very short period. Granted the squall mabe
lasts a half hour but it's a white knuckled half hour!
Take care
Mike

Previous post=Don't confuse the Gulf with the ocean. If someone is simply
going a few miles
offshore they are not going to see the pounding waves you see in the ocean
unless there is a storm nearby. In most places in Fla the water will still be
30' deep or so. You can get in a lot more trouble in the great lakes and I
don't see people saying you can't run a pontoon there.
Weather is always a factor on the water, no matter where you run.