[Gladrags1]

My wife and I are thinking about getting a small powerboat to go on short trips from our dock on Rock Creek. We presently have a 36' sailboat which we have had a great time with cruising the Bay and beyond but sometimes we would just want a small powerboat to go to Baltimore for the evening, Hart-Miller Island for an afternoon swim, or possibly Rock Hall for an afternoon. We wonder the following:

What would be the smallest boat you would feel ok about going to these locations in good weather.

What style of boat would work best for a family of 3 that would provide secure, safe time on the water. My brother-in-law (an avid powerboater) suggests a deck boat. But he is boating up on Lake George, not the Chesapeake.

We desire a boat the is stable, manueverable and comfortable. We are not looking to pull a skier or tubing (however, an occassional tubing would be fun).

What do you guys suggest?

Tod