TOPIC: P-14 and the Puget Sound

Hello,
I'm a big fan of how the old P-14s look, and wondering if I could confidently take one out into the Puget Sound (fair weather of course) to do some San Juan island hopping?

Combo would be P-14 paired with a 25hp 4stroke.

I want to be safe, and not interested in going out in storms etc, but want to make sure I've got enough of a boat to get back and forth in a way that won't freak out my wife or put us at risk.

Any input would be great, and if you can add reasons to your opinions it would be much appreciated!

cheers,
Krystofer

I don't know what a P-14 is but as long as its a nice day and you have all the safety Equipt. Jackets , Kicker motor or Oars ,Radio, bucket to bail , Etc you should be good and it's always better to go with another boat. Here's my 17' Skagit at Cypress Island . Word of advice - don't scare the wife first trip out or she will never go again ! Make sure she has a potty of some kind if she will buy into the bucket you are in luck but she will never hike up to the rail :)Where in Puget sound are you ? There's a bunch of us up here- Check out" Northwest Classic Boat club "
Hope Island by Deception Pass
Canoe pass ( Deception Pass )

Is that a Seaswirl P-14? No reason why on a calm day you couldn't go out on the sound. Short trips would be best. If you take the wife make sure you are near to a marina or other place with a restroom. I used to fish on Hood Canal in a 14 foot open outboard. Just keep an eye on the weather.

Just a personal opinion but I'd have no problem taking a P-14 on near shore runs on the sound...but wouldn't even think of running out to the San Juans in one. More freeboard and more power needed out there...unless the currents situation has changed in the 15 years I've been away from the area. Not a bad little boat but not really one that is safe in open ocean.

Here is a P-14 for sale

portland.craigslist.org/clc/boa/2870626825.html

I have a P-14 too

They are pretty Narrow , you would want to make sure you had a great forecast and stay close to the beach ,Like the post above learn to read the tide book and know the currents where you are going . No wind , which is a hard thing to count on in the islands.

in other words, don't do it!

The Sound is no place for a Runabout; been there, done that.

I wouldn't go out in the Sound without a kicker motor strong enough to buck the tide; there are some really strong rip currents (the one at the SW side of Bainbridge Island comes to mind, also Agate Pass), and if the main motor quits you're gonna be in a World of Hurt!

That being said, on a calm sunny day, you'll have an enjoyable cruise. Run over to Blake Island and have a picnic, it's close in. I don't think I'd want to take a 14' boat out to the San Juans however.

Cheers.........ed