Size matters, but it's not the only factor.

16' could be a canoe, or it could be an Arima Sea Explorer. The Sea Explorer would be just fine in the conditions I was in on Sunday.

I think what made the seas bad right out of Everett were the hundreds of (fish-less) fishing boats all coming in at about the same time trying to get out of the rain, as the waves were all criss-crossed and confused. Add that to the 1-2' wind waves, and you get a difficult-to-read, sloppy sea. I'll take orderly wind-driven 3-footers any day.

BTW, I am now Boatless In Seattle If you have, or know someone that has, a '90's Arima Sea Chaser/Explorer 17' for sale, please let me know.

Regards.

Mike