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Posted by: jcbikeski
on Sep-24-12 11:57 AM (EST)
I wouldn't be around rocks with any waves at all until you are skilled around at least moderate surf near nice sand. Some key skills like paddling backward through a wave are pretty key to safety around rocks.
I wouldn't do much around surf in that particular boat. You could address some flooding by putting an air bag in the bow (is the stern at least sealed with a bulkhead?), but with such a big cockpit I don't know if a skirt would help much.
I also wouldn't do much around anything challenging (i.e. rocks or surf or being far from shore) without some lessons whether from a professional or a much more skilled friend.
The good news is that the journey to being able can be a fun one.