Question for Chesapeake Bay Cruisers

[chessiebayness]

My husband and I are thinking to purchase a R25SC to cruise on the Chesapeake Bay.
Both of us have been sailors for some time and have experienced pretty severe weather on the Bay.
Once sailed in 35 kt winds, 8 ft waves for 5 hours.
Hope never ever experience that again.
That was 15 years ago. Now we're interested in cruising the Bay on calmer days for a 3-4, to a week at a time.
This means, that we could always catch a unexpected storm.
I read where the boat does not handle very well in winds over 15knts. Is that true?
Thanks ahead of time for sharing your experiences.

Chessie

 

[dclagett]

If you have been on the Chesapeake for some time 15 knots in some areas of the bay is quite nasty and other areas not so much. The Chesapeake generally has short period & steep waves. I have found that going into 3 foot waves on the bay with my 25SC takes them very well. No pounding, just cuts through them. 3 foot following seas requires considerable effort on your part do to the bow digging in as you go over the wave and come down the front side. This can be eliminated if you slow down and stay on the back side of the wave. 3 foot beam seas will rock any boat with 8.5 foot beam quite violently if you allow them to transition under the boat.