Crestliner 1860 SST Phantom

[beckoning]

Please give me your opinions if you have used the 1860 SST on big water. I fish Lake Michigan for salmon and steelies. I want to replace an old, tired 18' Starcraft center console with a Crestliner. I am looking at an 1860 SST (extended transom). All looks OK, but I am concerned about the length. An extended transom 18' seems to be only a 16.5' boat with an extended transom that makes the total length 18'. I don't want a boat that bobs around on 3' waves like a cork. The Phantom model is deep at 25" gunwale inside height. I am interested in any opinions.