Appropriate Boat for Pamlico Sound?

[shemstreet]

Boat show coming up in a couple weeks and want to make sure I check out boats that would be great in the sounds, capable for near offshore, and pretty good in the lakes.

I am used to fishing the Potomac, which is big, rough, and deep, so I may be used to boats that would be overkill for the sounds. From one of the books I have been reading, conditions seem more like the upper Cheasapeake (shallow flats) than the lower Cheasapeake (wider, lots deeper, rougher water).

I've been thinking 19-21' CC or DC, such as McKee 196, Key West 2020 or Pioneer 197. The book I have been reading makes it sound like I really should be looking at a low V type, such as a skiff, bayboat, or maybe a Parker 18 or 21 type.

Basically, which conditions am I going to find most often out there, shallow and not too rough, or deeper and potentially rougher. By rough I mean 2-3' closely spaced chop/minor whitecaps (Potomac was known for this, especially when tide change came opposite wind direction).

I'd have to trailer from the Raliegh/Wake Forest area, so I really want to stay away from any boats over 21', plus I fish Falls Lake and will start fishing Kerr next year.

I like my Arima, but it seems more fishing is casting instead of trolling down here, and the lack of a front deck and the high sides (which catch the wind) don't help this type of fishing. Not sure if our 170 CC Triumph is quite large enough though.

Help!, what does everyone else use and does it work for you?