Here was the forecast for February 15th: morning starts just fine, but wind/seas build gradually throughout the morning, with peak wind about 10am-Noon, and peak seas from about 11am-2pm (mostly under 3′, but possibly as high as 3-4′ at most). Seas are a wind-chop with about 3-sec interval (1-sec interval per foot of height is a normal wind-chop).
Wednesday afternoon: after wind peaks about 10am-Noon, and after seas peak from about 11am-2pm, conditions settle rapidly, and the mid-to-late afternoon should be quite mild.
This proved to be true. We learned that 2-4 foot seas on the bow are fine. Good to know.
The gulf coast is very shallow zero to 40 feet and is famous for seafood. That means keep an eye on your depth and watch out for fishing paraphernalia.
It was stone crab season and there were times we ran a slalom course through fields of crab pots. A float on the surface then a rope leading down to the trap. The ropes are not good for motor vessels. Wrap one of those around the propeller shaft and serious damage will occur. Some of the floats were quite visible. Others were faded or hidden in mats of weeds. A good lookout was necessary at all times.
Moon Dance IV 