I had a small v that I fished lake Erie and Michigan for years, now I have a bigger lake Erie boat. I wish I kept my smaller boat. My smaller boat rode on top of the waves where my bigger one crashes them. Been caught in bad wave and weather in my small boat a few times and altho I had to go slow I rode the waves and felt safe doing so. I am not convince that I am safer in this bigger boat. And big boat or small the weather needs to be good to fish. I know this post does not answer your questions but I just wanted to say small boats have some advantages in waves.