Thanks all for the input! Here's what I did.....
I went with the McKay style pot (mine are made by SMI and I purchased them at Holiday sports on a 20% off deal which made each 30" pot about $100). I liked the stacking ability of the Ladners, but in the final analysis, I decided rigid square pots will work best on my boat. I do not plan on using more than 2 pots. If I ever were to go with 4 pots, the Ladners might have got the edge.
Being a neophite, it took me 2 days EACH to configure the pots with lines, weights, buoys. Much of that time was spent learning to splice loops in the ends of 5/16" weighted line. I have never spliced before, having avoided it like the plague, but I've always wanted to know how to do it. The small diameter, incredibly tight, stiff, and waxy line was not the best to start with, but believe me, once I had done 10 of those splices with that line, I now have splices nailed!! :lol:
The pots weigh 18 pounds, and I added 20 more pounds with #7 rebar encased in PVC schedule 40 pipe. I also add a 10 pound weigh up the line about 10-15' from the pot. So each pot+weight weighs about 50 pounds loaded and ready to dump in the water.
I didn't get my boat back until Friday 5/5, so I missed opening day. But I was out there near Iceberg Point on Sunday for my first ever shrimping expedition. Absolutely gorgeous day with only a mild swell and nearly no wind. Best 1st time ever....I suspect I am forever spoiled now. BTW, got my limit on the first pull too....beginners luck no doubt.