[bulletbob]

I dunno, so far I have to disagree.. The 17 -18 foot glass center consoles are certainly capable of more than just fishing the bay.. Are you guys saying a 15 minute ride from Shark River up to the rocks off Deal and then a mile or 2 off is too dangerous for a well designed CC hull of 17-18 feet??
I had the Osprey 175 and my old Wellcraft 17 CC out there a lot years ago and never felt in "danger" at all.. If its blowing like hell, and too rough to be safe, I don't go out in the ocean anyway, its that simple.. However, the type boat I mentioned is designed to use in the ocean if you are reasonable in your expectations, and observant of the weather.. I have no death wish believe me, but I also think a towable well designed Center console by a respected brand is more than capable of inshore, relatively close in ocean fishing, especially with good power, and 2 kickers with separate fuel systems, which is how I do it.. i carry spare and separate tanks for the kickers..
Maybe attitudes have changed, but I recall seeing tons of Mako, Aquasport, Proline, Whaler 17's out there over the decades.. Perhaps thats not done anymore, I don't know.. had my 18 Starcraft out there twice in 2016 and the ocean was covered in caps both times, and I never once felt in danger, and we fished reasonably comfortably, and a good stoutly built glass boat of similar size should actually do much better.. Party boats are out, packed all the time, and "open charters" are getting too pricey so I have just decided to get a boat designed more for salt water than the Starcraft.. 19 foot is about as big as I would go I suppose.... bob