[macojoe]

Ok I agree with everything willy said!!

I have had my V for 9 years, I have been in some real crap, and always got home!!

I got the V cause it was what I could afford at the time. I had a small 17 footer and I use to fish with a buddy that had a small 18 footer. I knew one thing when I bought the V I wanted a boat with room!!
I was tired if not being able to move on the smaller boats.

The V fit what I wanted Large fishing area and cheap!! I had never even heard of them years ago.

I have been 25 miles off shore, but with friends in there boats just incase!!
Everyones area is different!! Here in thew NE the water can get real nasty fast!
My friend on the gulf coast says he has to go 20 miles just to find deep water. so on and so on.

The V has been a great boat for me!! But I have kind of out grown it, it has a 18* dead rise which makes it great drift fishing cause it is so stable, But that very thing also makes it pound crazy in ruff water.

I am now looking for and have been before my accident something not bigger but with a better dead rise to handle the ruff water I fish.

I am looking at 20 to 23 foot boats and I like to be in a 21* dead rise or better. But this also has a draw back, cause a 24* dead rise will cut 5 footers like a hot knife thur butter, ikt sucks in a beam sea as there is no real chine, while drifting in ruff water I will roll like no tomorrow.
This is why I am saying that a 21* or so will be better then what I have for ride and should still be good on the roll also.

Any way here is what I have to say!

Thje V is a great tuff affordable boat!! But no your limts!!

And one lesson I learned years ago is RESPECT the OCEAN!!!

History has taken small tin boats and the largest of curise linners!!

pay attention to the weather!! that does not mean listen to the weather man!! Look at the sky, the wind, the water, and the first sign on white water, dark clouds wind shift head home.

Konw your area, know your boat like it was your third hand!! Pay attention all the time, it might not be weather at all, maybe another boat is going to hit you?

Just be aware & alert!! And most of all do not lose repest for the sea, cause the day you do that, you needs to get off the water and never come back!!