Roughest conditions you faced in the V ?
 

I don't push it, so fortunate to say never in truly challenging conditions.

I will say that running miles along NJ ocean into a building, tight head sea of 3' - 4' with a few 5's mixed in isn't my idea of fun. Just a few times in these conditions reminds why we cut and run as soon as we know it's time.

I'd rather run 10' non breaking long period swells than this type of chop.

did you forget this one?
Roughest conditions ever experienced in your V ?

Rough water
 

I pulled my boat yesterday out of Shark River. I was not able to go out in any nasty conditions but I have run four trips to the wrecks and Shrewsbury Rocks.

Most of the time, I had two to three foot chop. At twenty knots and the trim tabs down, I have no pounding at all and a very comfortable ride. I did not have to deal with over four foot but I am sure I would have to cut way back on speed.

I owned the following boats:

17 Aquasport
19 Scout
20 Wellcraft
22 Shamrock
29 Phoenix 29

I can say for the amount of money spent, the Wellcraft V20 is the best boat (29 Phoenix is a different class)

Shamrock was too slow and was not fuel efficient. I trust the Wellcraft's sea keeping ability as much as the Shamrock.

I have the Mercruiser 470 that sips fuel and with the trim tabs, this boat is the most cost effective and capable boat I have owned.

Hatteras inlet.....you do not want head out in ANY boat when it looks like this. This is a file photo of the inlet BTW but it stays churned up like this a lot. When you round the corner and see this it is a good time to hit the sound and try to catch a flounder.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/21073427.jpg

This is interesting - my experience being without the tabs, V21 ride with outboard is fair to poor because the hull pounds very easily. With the tabs, the ride is good to very good. I've only had 4 boats myself, but have also been on others. Prior to my V21, I had a 94' Mako model 201 ( 93' - 96' hull model ) It was built like a tank, but really didn't ride any better......maybe not quite as good as the V even though it had built in Bennett Trim Tabs.

Blue Runner........... were you actually out in the inlet during those conditions ?
That looks like strong tide against wind, not suited for any boat.

That's an awesome picture. When I had my 25' John Allmand I was rounding the hook (Sandy Hook Bay) coming in from the ocean up from the Shrewsbury rocks and had to go through conditions very much like that. Another boat and I were side by side about 30 yards apart from each other going in, and we would loose sight of each other when we fell into the troughs. Scared the crap outta me. Made me appreciate how really well made the John Allmands were. As luck would have it, the other boat and I were from the same dock (Leonardo State marina) and when we got to the doc we both just looked at each other and started laughing... mostly from relief that we had made it. I don't think either of us really expected to.

I frequently AVOID Sandy Hook into Raritan Bay - especially when I know a wind against tide will be setting up.

Example - let's say wind is breezy from the west, but I'll be enjoying mostly calm water from Shark River Inlet northward beyond the Shrewsbury Rocks.

At the same time, guys in Raritan Bay out to beyond the hook can wind up running back in to avoid nasty seas especially when the tide goes against wind.

Shark River Inlet is one of the best - waves can start stacking up at the mouth, but only when it's rough and wind vs tide. Mostly it's the easiest inlet I use from New Jersey.

It's one of the reasons I started running down the Hackensack River to the Hudson. Coming back into that area from down south you run can across the mouth of the bay before the rip over to the Coney Island side, then up along the Staten Island side and you miss most of that rip coming out from the bay. Much safer and less stressful.

That area with strong E wind, vs outgoing tide....... good grief charlie brown !

I ran from Shark River to Statue of Liberty and back........
Also ran from Shark River up and in through Jones Inlet, NY with V member Step Up and back.
We hit some waves on the way back.... last 3 miles or so........close, steep, nasty 3' -4' whitecaps.