Had a 14 ft with a 25hp on it for 10 years. Fished the sound and Seiku durring the summer and fall. Tried winter blackmouth and it was ok, just that the weather can change in an instant in the winter and it is not worth a few fish to play "victory at sea". Watch your weather, make sure you don't overload your boat, and be sure you have all the safty equipment a larger boat would have (a handheld vhf radio is a must in my opinion), and alway err on the side of caution!