Believe me, that the "typical afternoon chop" is more than you want to tackle in a CD 16 (or a 22, 25, or perhaps even the Tom Cat)--experience well over 1,000 crossings of the channel to Catalina--including a number in an 18 foot deep V Runabout--commuting to the Isthmus. I found that in the 18 footer I could travel at full speed (45 knots) in the AM. Returning to the Island at 5 PM, I had to run inside of the breakwater to the LA light, and then outside to Point Fermin, and then run across sliding across the waves when possiable.
You want to be well underway by 11 PM in the morning for a crossing of the channel in any small power boat.
Personally I would prefer a 22 for the channel crossing, but I have done it in a 12 foot infatable (with a kicker)--early in the AM. Still the CD 16 would work for minimal cruising--many who have purchased this boat for this type of cruising, then ended up buying a larger boat later. We met a couple cruising the San Juans and Gulf Islands (Maybe beyond) this summer. They had to move all of the gear off the V berth (single burner stove, duffel bag, food storage etc) into the cockpit to sleep, and transfering it back in the AM. On inclimate days it seemed crowded in the 16. Also consider that there is no really good place to beach a boat at Catalina (although there are places to unload, with minimal swell, and camp on the beach, with a permit/reservation.
