Come on Egg, she's only 18'2. I've never been on a 20, so I can't compare it to one. I will say, that set up properly,the 18 is ideal for coastal fishing for 2 anglers. She's too small to be a family boat. Balance is the key. I've set mine up to where when fully loaded the floor is level. It will float with the motor tilted in 12", perfect for huntinn those bronze backs tailing on the grass flats of P. I. Sound. I can't run shallower, but I can float shallower using my trolling motor than most of the big flats skiffs with their heavy ars 250 + hp motors. It excells as an inlet/ pass boat because of stable hull design. I see some big boats in Boca Grande Pass rockin and rollin way worse than mine when the afternoon sea breeze hits a strong outgoing tide. That runs of most of the 22 and under crowd to catch their tarpon elsewhere. On good days I'll run offshore. I've been 20 - 25 miles out many times; the limiting factors being fuel capacity and lack of a buddy boat. If the spring or fall kingfish run is on, I'll even go out 2 or 3 miles on a nasty day and and troll in 3 - 5 footers. Thats about the only time I get wet. Usually in normal conditions,if i start catchin a little spray, I just go faster!No problem.
My only gripe is the rear in floor box. I use mine for storage, but to keep it dry, I plumbed it with an auto 500 gph pump.
Keep the motor light, block off the splash well and use the front box as a ballast tank (plumb it as a fishwell or store heavier items in it). Trim tabs are great, though I mainly use mine to set port/starboard angle of "entry".
I have read that the 18
can ride better than the 20. I would say that if set up properly, they
could perform equally. Now saying that, I've also read that he who has owned an 18 has regretted getting rid of it. Some of those guys now own 20's
Oh yeah, almost forgot, If ran at the proper trim it will not pound and is not wet.