You will do fine I fished Lake Ontario out of 17 footer for years Just be smart know your limits.You will know what the weather will be when your standing on the shore looking out over the water,I also travel 5+ hrs to fish.A big fish is not worth trying to go out in big waves.Been there done that.I alway try to give a couple of extra days for blow offs.If that happens I will head down and fish one of the finger lakes for that day.It's only about an hour to an hour and a half it's better than watching the waves break over the walls.