Thanks for the speed info. We're not looking for a offshore boat but after seeing multiple vids of boats making the run to the keys from Miami in boats (26 foot eliminator daytonas,24 foot skaters, 26 foot outlaws and 28 foot profile cat)I thought that the heat would be fine. The vids look like they are all in water with small to moderate chop. Having never made the trip maybe I am missing the real picture. Our boat will spend 99% of its life on the intercostal waters but making the trip to the keys is a trip we want to make.

One question... Why Nordic? There are plenty of options out there that are great choices. Especially if you want to run the ocean.

Understood. I guess you could cross the Atlantic in the right conditions. I've taken my boats (from 21' to 33') 90 miles one way up Long Island Sound to stay on the east end of Long Island. Mostly it was ok as your Keys trip could be, however with any big water, you can get nailed when you least expect it. I've been caught in some stuff and became scared for my life when nothing in the forecast indicated I should have stayed in port. That's when you want a boat that can at least give you some confidence to a point when caught in the stuff. You really need to be cautious when playing in big water, I don't mean to lecture but it can be scary out there, I've learned the hard way.

This is a good topic for the main board, the locals know best and I'm sure they'll give you some specific information that I'm unable to provide. Give it a shot and post there.

Anyway...the Heat is a really nice boat for it's intended purpose, but offshore conditions are not it's forte.

+1

I totally agree. I have never drive a boat on the ocean but I have seen some really big lake chop. We hit some really big Chop with our Nordic rage and my wife was extremely upset and worried. We were down the lake an hour from camp when the wind picked up. We were fine in the narrow section of the lake doing about 40 MPH over some 2-3 foot chop but when we hit the wide section of the lake I had to shut her down, put life jackets on everyone and at the slow speed we would go up one wave and the bow of the boat would smack down on the crest of the next wave. Luckily we didn't take on any water. We ended up motoring up the lake closer to shore in case we had a problem.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't run a 25 or 28 foot boat of any kind on the water you are talking about with my family in the boat unless you could guarantee smooth water. (regardless s of the dead rise and free-board sometimes you just flat out need length and size to be safe on the big water)

Orian, was that Mead? I've been in that there in our Heat and Flame before and it's not fun...
Dave

I would think the flame could handle some pretty big water and still feel comfortable? It's got to be better than the heat.
I've had my heat in some pretty sloppy conditions at Powell a couple years ago on a memorial weekend and it did ok. 50-70 mph winds according to a guy at the bullfrog marina. I would say 3 footers maybe some 4. It was pretty ugly with houseboats blowing all over the place and stuck up against wake barriers. I would rather drive my heat in a storm like that then when it's just a washing machine from all the boat wakes.

You got no worries in your new ride!

Actually it was at Flaming Gorge before buckboard marina (that is one of the widest parts of the lake when the wind is blowing from toward the south east). Wyoming thunder storms can come up fast and hard out of no where. Luckily I have hit any weather like that on Mead.
Orrian

Did you find a boat? I am going to officially list mine very soon. Let me know if you want to take a look at it.