18 ft alum deep V with a 85 hp johnson is fine for the short rigs and bays. Get up in the morning look at the horizon, if there are bumps go back to bed. If it looks flat, hook the boat up. If going out in the evening, set up mirrors with a spotlight so u can find your way back home. Some of the stuff people use to do. My wife would kill me.

Really though a custom alum boat works well in the gulf and flats. Also doent use as much fuel. Of course if you want to go over about 20 mile. Get a boat for the gulf. Fish the ship channel and off shore. You will be much safer.

If all else fail climb on one of those gas platforms and wait to be rescued. Had a great uncle who sat out there for two days. He fished the whole time.

You are dreaming,

In a good bay boat you can go out ,if you pick your days, flat conditions
And watch the weather.

True offshore boats don't work well for bay fishing.

Mo

For me youre side's need to be as high as possible , like high on youre thigh , not just above the knee . And it helps if the rails are flared and cupped like a nautic star , and others .