Questions about buying a boat for offshore

[aero993]

I'm thinking about buying a boat. I would mainly use the boat to hit the gulfstream leaving out of Hatteras, NC. I have several questions as I have never owned a boat before. I'm thinking about a center console.

Here are my questions:
1) Are dual motors a must or something good to have?
2) What is the smallest size boat that one can take out in decent weather (lets say winds 12 and under)?
My tow vehicle will be a Tahoe.
The boat will be purchased used and I plan to have a pro check out. What should I lookout for or totally avoid?
Any and all suggestions are welcome, I apologize if this is the wrong forum.

[stockweiser]

Good question. There are prob others here that have been doing it longer and better but we started in 2000 with an 89 23' Mako with a 200 yamaha. We upgraded to a 225 four stroke Yama and it was a great boat. We have moved up to a 26' Glacier Bay so we could fish more..........and we have. Be careful and catch the weather window.......don't take a chance. I have seen 20' boats out there and they did fine but it was a blue bird day.

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

Sea Craft 23

Single 200.