NOLA Riverrat,
If you are looking for a sea worthy boat able to get you into skinny water and yet able to handle some of the chop and small seas, I'd look at the Easterns. They are made up here in NH and they are quite a boat. While not a deep vee, they borrow a lot of performance characteristics from the Novi Lobster boat hull design. Very effiecient- good speed from little power and very seaworthy. Top end is in the 25-30 knot range, but under that they will handle some pretty challenging conditions. The smallest they make is 18' and most, if not all, are CC's or Pilothouse designs. Nice fit and finish and solidly built, but are not Country Club finish, ala. Searay, Doral or Grady. Just a thought. They aren't cheap, but they hold their value because knowledgeable buyers know what they are buying.
A used one:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._id=39384&url=
Their website:
http://www.easternboats.com/