I've talked to a couple of people at a boat ramp, they had 20
or 22 ft boats and gone to Catalina in them. I guess 19 ft should be
ok as well.


Hmm. Should have addressed that in my previous post:
If I had two young kids and a 19-foot Bayliner I wouldn't try to run to
Catalina.
You'll get there and back with no problem, most of the time. But it
only takes one time of *not* making it to ruin the rest of your
possibly abbreviated life. Great boat for inland waters,
trailering down to the local lake, etc. Not for the open ocean, IMO.

These people with 20 & 22 foot boats may have something better designed
for offshore use.
Three feet can make a lot of difference in that size category, but more
significant would be the hull design itself. Even if they're making the
run with 22-foot Bayliners, there are going to be important differences
in displacement, freeboard, etc. And you don't want to tackle thta
crossing with a "bow rider" of any sort, IMO.