Bonanza 33
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Glider; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 1020; Flight Crew Type 25
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Weather
Was departing ZZZ for ZZZ1; about 20nm S along the coast. I had just driven up the coast along this approximate route; and the weather enroute was reasonable VFR with ceilings above 1;000 ft and visibilities 5 miles or more. Weather a few miles [inland] was scattered Cu (Cumulonimbus) with clear skies above. ZZZ was reporting 700 overcast with 6 miles visibility; and I asked for a SVFR departure to the South. Looking along the runway heading there was no evident change in the ceiling or visibility. Shortly after departure; I informed ZZZ tower that I was clear of their Class D; and received 'frequency change approved'. Conditions then rapidly deteriorated with lowering ceiling and visibility. I descended to about 300 ft MSL over the water before deciding that the only safe option was to climb. I climbed to about 2;500 ft MSL; breaking out on top of the marine layer about 2;000 ft MSL. The rest of the flight was uneventful; and I found the weather at ZZZ1 good VFR as I had expected; with clear skies [inland].Lessons learned: I have an instrument rating; but am not current; else I would have filed IFR. I will get an IPC (Instrument Proficiency Check) so that I do not place myself in this situation again! With hindsight; a better decision would have been to depart SVFR [inland] where the weather was clearly good VFR. Low marine layer conditions can be patchy and unpredictable. Given my encounter with the suddenly lower ceiling and visibility; I clearly made the right decision for the safety of the flight; but in the process briefly flew in Class E airspace in IMC without a clearance.
BE33 pilot reported flying VFR into IMC. The pilot exited IMC and continued VFR to destination.