[bulletbob]

I dunno, water temp is 69 degrees, and in Oct there is much less chance of a sudden rogue thunderstorm than in summer.. I fished [still do] in 17 footers for the better part of 40 years in the ocean, and never had a problem.. Just have to watch the weather and if its rough don't go out.. Far be it from me to argue with a pro captain, but a good 17 footer with a reliable motor is perfectly fine for fall fishing inshore if used when weather conditions warrant.. There are hundreds of boats that size out there all the time inshore, and the guys in them are perfectly safe, if they use proper caution... bob