Thoughts on good "rough water small hull..

[bulletbob]

Around 17 or so feet.. What would everyone do in my situation??.. I own 3 boats right now.. An 18 foot Starcraft aluminum with a 100 HP,.. Old 1972 hull.. Had it out on the ocean in stiff 30 mph south winds a few times.. Like a washing machine out there twice this year when I had it down to NJ, and it handled it quite well.. Dry in the boat due to nice freeboard,- kind of lumpy of course under power due to aluminum hull, but actually not that bad for inshore fishing.. I have ridden in worse...

Also have an old 1970 fiberglass 15 foot "whaler style" side console with a 30.. Its by a long out of business company from the Carolinas called CMF.. Fine for the bay, wide open flat floor, lots of open space for fishing. Not a good rough water boat.. Also have a 1980 Grumman 4.4 "Metric Series 14 foot aluminum with a 28 HP.. Very rugged , heavily built boat that is insanely stable in water that NO 14 footer should be out in.. I have read that some consider these the best aluminum boats ever made..
So I have most lake/river/ bay fishing covered, and the boats are fairly towable, even the 18 foot Starcraft... I simply want something a little more " ocean friendly" for when the wind kicks up.. Still needs to tow easily with my Chevy 1500 8 cyl pickup.. I was thinking a clean used Aquasport 170, or maybe an Aquasport Osprey 175 , one of which I had years ago, and sold,, Should have kept it, it was solid and stable, and a good looker as well... I am also considering used 17 CC boats by Mako, Angler, Proline , Hydrasports,etc Will consider anything really.. Also considering a Whaler 17 Montauk, but they are expensive, and IMHO not that great as a rough water boat...
The most I will be offshore would be maybe 3- 4 miles for sea bass, tog, maybe late season fluke when they start congregating on lumps out from the shoreline areas... Looking for ideas on the best compromise CC hulls that are light enough to tow 500 mile round trips, will be decent on gas, and can take it when the wind kicks up and you are still 8-10 miles from the ramp. Thinking 17-18 feet, 90-115 HP OB.
My Osprey 175 was able to run through really rough water very softly for its size .. If it was too rough for that 17 1/2 footer it was too rough for a LOT of hulls, even bigger ones..

Just looking for ideas, and conversation on what others might be happy with in a smaller "ocean friendly" hull.... I could simply use the Starcraft, but it certainly isn't the ocean boat a mako or aquasport is..
. btw, I am very aware of the ocean conditions and the weather, and never take chances, always have a 6 hp kicker motor on board, often carry a second 2 hp kicker as well, and always have 2 oars, and all CG equipment.. I realize bigger is safer, but I need to keep weight down at the distances I am forced to tow.. The AH Municipal Ramp is 227 miles from my door... Just looking for opinions... bob