[GordMay]

In the final analysis, the capabilities of a boat (bluewater, coastal, inland, etc) are determined by the master (& crew) - and second guessed by everyone else.

STIX Categories:

“A” (Unlimited Ocean) STIX Value >32 - adequate to withstand up to a force 10 gale, with average waves of 7 m height and eventual wave heights of 14 m.

“B” (Offshore) STIX Value >23 - adequate to withstand up to force 8 winds, with average waves of 4 m.

“C” (Coastal) STIX Value >14 - adequate to withstand up to force 6 winds , with average waves of 2 m.

“D” (Local) STIX Value >5 - adequate to withstand up to force 4 winds, with waves of 0.5 m maximum.

References:
http://www.rorc.org/programme/stix.php
http://www.yachting-world.com/yw/stability/stability97.pdf
http://rorcrating.com/stix/stixpaper.pdf

FWIW,
Gord