Horses for courses Tom.
I have looked at some of your Sportster photos and thought it would be a fun machine.
If we get some short steep chop around 3' high it starts slamming in the tunnel, and we get wet.
Ocean swells up to 10 - 15' are no problems - we can plane over the top provided we can feather the throttles at the right time.
I have always been a deep water fisherman (recreational only), and the weather is pretty changeable down here.
When the tuna are running, and the weather is half reasonable, we go out.
Up to 20 miles off shore, and probably 30 - 35 miles from safe havens.
You have to know you can get back, and that you could be called on to help someone else not as prepared as you are. We have been called on for that twice, and all ended well.
Twin engines, all safety gear, all good swimmers, and no alcohol on the boat.
Between the boat and the VX, I have all I want in life.
(Suppose you could throw the missus and family in for good measure.)
PK