23.5 is the magic number
the magic number for the deadrise is 23.5 degrees in the stern, any less and the boat will pound.
try a boat with a 19-22 degree deadrise, then go out in the same conditions with a 23.5 and you will be amazed at the difference. ride a contender(23.5) and you will learn.
when it comes to modified V hulls, they basically all ride the same, some are wetter than other and some pound more than others, BUT THEY ALL POUND !
NO AVOIDING POUNDING WITH A MODIFIED V
if i had to accept a modified V hull, i would look for a dry riding boat, and one with good deck layout.
here is an idea, check out carolina skiffs, for inshore fishing they are hard to beat. MAXIMUM deck space available on a boat of the same size and your motor can be of a smaller horse power.
i just got the 2480 DLX with a 115hp yamaha 4 stroke.
ran the boat in bad weather against my friends 19 mako, 22 mako, and 21 proline. the carolina outrode all of them in a 2 foot chop. the other boats pounded their way through, where the carolina just got up on top of the waves and flew across them, everyone was impressed with the performance. i was running at 45 mph across the tops of the waves, where as the other boats were pounding THROUGH the waves at 15-20 mph or less.
if the waves or chop are close together the carolina will just get on top and run, if you have a large swell then the carolina will have to slow way down because it will not be able to span the waves properly. in this area you would need atleast a 19 foot carolina , a 21 foot would ride better.
take one for a test drive on a snotty day, dont be afraid to run it fast, you will be very surpised how well they ride. plus once you get there, the caolina provides the most stable platform to fish from (flat bottom).
again this is a bay and near shore boat, it is not meant to run 17 fathoms with. (on a nice day you can)
ps, avoid the carolina skiff V series, they are wet boats except for the 23V, the choices in order are 2480DLX, 2180DLX, 2380V or 1980DLX. i would try to go atleast 21 feet with boat to get the best possible ride.
pps. the 4 stroke is SO quite, the wind whistling through the fishing rods makes more noise than the motor.