It has a lot to do with from what direction the wind is coming from and what direction I am traveling. I don't mind 30 knots and 8' from the East when I am traveling West, but no way would I do it from the other direction. I try to stay under 4' on the beam, unless it's swell and then I really don't care how big it is if the interval is long enough.
It also depends on how long the crossing is, if it's a 5 hour run or a 30 minute crossing. I don't mind getting beat up if the reward is big enough, and the beating short enough. Normally 20 knots and four feet (not swell) is a "go" if I am nosing into it or running through it beam to.
My boat is a full displacement double ender that does love to run down sea and down swell. So as long as I feel it's going to be from a steady direction I am willing to run in a lot more.
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