[camaraderie]

Good advice above. Your profile indicates a Pearson 28 which is a sturdy boat but not a Cape Dory etc. so I would first limit myself to 3-4 foot seas and 20 knots of breeze and then just work my way up from there to more challenging conditions. In the gulf...short period waves make a 5 foot wave there quite uncomfortable and harder to take than in the open ocean. You best guide is to avoid the gulf when the coast guard puts out a small craft advisory until you feel very comfortable with your boat and your skills.