As for wherever you can safely go, my dad took the 14' all the way up
to
Desolation Sound when he was a teen. I personally have had it as far
north as Nanaimo. *If* you pick your weather and take your time, a 17'
should be able to handle most of the Puget Sound and Gulf Islands.


Of course, my dad and I both had larger "support" boats along in case
of
emergency...


************

I agree with Garth....
PIcking the weather will be very important when using that boat on
Puget Sound.

Under better than average conditions you will be fine.
Under average conditions, you will occasionally be challenged.
Under anything much worse than average conditions, you will need to be
somewhat skillful and/or moderately lucky.
If the wind really starts to howl, you could be in serious trouble.

Advice for Mr. Wizzard:

If you're hitting the salt water with your new boat, make sure you
install a VHF. VHF is not required safety equipment, (and some people
think they can substitute a cell phone), but the smaller the boat the
more the reasons why you want to be able to communicate not just with
the Coast Guard or your family back at home but other vessels in the
vicinity where you will be using the boat. VHF is less critical on a
small lake, as most of the other boats won't have a VHF or won't be
monitoring it, (and if the wind comes up unexpectedly you might bo only
a few minutes from the ramp)......but out on the Sound etc almost
everybody with a boat of any size will be monitoring the VHF.

Have a great time! :-)