You've gotten some great replies. My recommendation is to ask folk here how their particular boat and hull configuration works in rough water and buy a good quality design. There are lots of boats out there from the 80's that perform well. I do not agree with the smaller outboard theory though. I drive an '85 Ranger 340V 16' 9" with a Mercury 150hp and a 23 pitch prop. I lose top end speed with that low a pitch, but in rough water I want low end torque I would not want to be on Falcon with any less motor. Falcon can get bad in a hurry and the 150 is a real advantage as to either getting on top or riding the waves with the bow up. You're most likely going to get wet in rough water so plan accordingly. I would personally stay away from the tri hull design and find a good V hull design. They typically ride waves better.

You can look at boats like this "if a seven foot surfboard will ride a twenty foot wave" its what happens meeting the wave "trough" that counts !!!

Being a tri-hull owner, I would agree with this 100%! While my hull is VERY stable in calm condition (probably more stable than a V), as soon as the chop gets to 1' you start to feel it. If you ride on some 3 footers, you better buckle up because it will beat you to death! Granted, it doesn't feel unsafe to ride the chop, but the ride is definitely not as comfortable as a V.

I definitely am planning on a v-hull fiberglass boat, given that I can find the right deal. Sounds to me like I need to get it out in the water and learn on some rough days with an experienced driver. I'm kind of taking all of these very excellent and helpful replies into consideration and really appreciate the help!

Don't know what your budjet is but this boat looks like it would ride good in rough water. http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ass_Boat#UNREAD BTW I don't know the person selling this boat, I just like the design.

Diddo. Been caught in some storms that popped up quick. This was in a 14' flat bottom with a 7.5 horse. Common sense let us make it back to the boat ramp.

my first boat was a home made 18 ft. wooden boat with a 20 hp johnson. use to take it out in chesapeake bay 2 or three miles out alone. got in some nasty situations occasionally, but always seemed to make it back alive. ride out the swells head on with very low speed, just enough power to propel you up the next one. no more, no less.

i got my ducks in a row , no worries.. lol

I recently downsized to a 16 foot express with the hyperlift hull and a 50hp yamaha (two year plan to save money so i can pay cash for a big boat) This litttle boat is awesome and i will never sell it I can get back in the shallow stuff and it handles rough water great. I was out on palestine a couple weeks ago and ran 5 miles in 2 to 3 foot rollers. Your just gonna have to learn how to run it. I also love the fact that I can pu ten bucks in it and fish all day. with the fuel consumption really showing me i dont have to burn ten gallons every time out I have changed from wanting a eyra with a 250 to wanting a sabre with a 175.

My 16ft skeeter with a 90 handled rough water just fine. If you don't feel comfortable then don't go out its really that simple. Good luck on a boat!

I agree. You really only "feel" safer in a larger boat. If you hit rough waters the difference in a 15 and 30 foot boat isn't all that much. Now there may be a difference in an 18 foot planer and an 800ft Ocean Cruiser, but even those sink. Haha.

Seriously though get to know your boat in average conditions and always tell yourself "IF" things were crazy, what would I be doing right now. Learn to quarter waves and anticipate problems. Don't get a crazy over or underpowered craft. Be confident. Learn your navigation aids etc Plan your trip around weather and have all safety equipment.

I've been stuck in well above average seas in a 12 ft kayak. Not saying my knuckles weren't white as a sheet, and I may or may not have needed a change of undies afterward but I used my practiced skills and common sense and did just fine. Good luck.

I have a 21 ft Deep V boat and it is horrible in high winds. Luv to Fish (Mike) has an awesome 22 ft Champion and it is the best rough water riding boat I have ever been on.

I agree, until you get to a certain size (really big) 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 foot boats aren't all that different - it is the design of the boat and the operator.

Whatever you do, if you want to go larger on HP, check the engine weight first. You can often get a more powerful engine in the same weight class, but adding another 100# to the transom to get a larger engine is going to make you more likely to take a wave over the transom, especially if you stall or have other problems during rough weather.
Many times a 50HP is the same block design (and weight) as 75HP which is "better tuned" (same often goes for a 200/225/250HP)... in those cases, there is no reason NOT to get the more power (except potential gas mileage, and "keep your foot out of it to avoid dangerous top-speed situations", but those won't affect the rough-water concerns). If your boat is rated 50HP because it's not stable at 40+MPH, get a higher-horse same-weight engine but don't go 40+ MPH, get a prop that has more bite at the safe operating speed range instead, which will keep you safer in rough stuff (and give you better holeshot, etc).
But I would not hang a heavier motor on the back of a small boat than one designed for it initially, just asking for trouble, horsepower only works when running and in gear, otherwise it's just more deadweight on the back.

Whatever you do, if you want to go larger on HP, check the engine weight first. You can often get a more powerful engine in the same weight class, but adding another 100# to the transom to get a larger engine is going to make you more likely to take a wave over the transom, especially if you stall or have other problems during rough weather.
Many times a 50HP is the same block design (and weight) as 75HP which is "better tuned" (same often goes for a 200/225/250HP)... in those cases, there is no reason NOT to get the more power (except potential gas mileage, and "keep your foot out of it to avoid dangerous top-speed situations", but those won't affect the rough-water concerns). If your boat is rated 50HP because it's not stable at 40+MPH, get a higher-horse same-weight engine but don't go 40+ MPH, get a prop that has more bite at the safe operating speed range instead, which will keep you safer in rough stuff (and give you better holeshot, etc).
But I would not hang a heavier motor on the back of a small boat than one designed for it initially, just asking for trouble, horsepower only works when running and in gear, otherwise it's just more deadweight on the back.

ChrisTexas is absolutely right. In my post I remarked my 50 HP Evinrude was matched to my 16 foot boat. A 75 hp is available in the same weight. The prop makes more difference than the extra horsepower. The 50 HP with a 13x15 prop gives 30 MPH with 2 big guys aboard. I would not want much more in a light trihull design. One lapse in steering at that speed will flip the boat. And the motor trim tab has to be set just right to keep the boat from pulling.