If you are going across the bar, then I would get a boat with a closed bow (not a boston waler) . Make sure it has lots of power. I would want a deep vee hull. No flying bridge or big superstructure-you want a low center of gravity. Keep your gear in tip-top shape and listen to the weather reports and channel 16. You are talking about one of the most dangerous areas on the Coast. But hell, the fishing's great!