RadeX,
First thing you should do is come to Bob Teage's shop on Sunday 03/24 at 11:00am for the SCOPE Kickoff Party. There, I can introduce you to the other ocean guys.
There are plenty of guys in the club that have <30'boats who are always on the ocean running with the big doggs.
You are only minutes from the ramp in Long Beach just NW of the Queen Mary or you can launch from Davie's Ramp in los Alamitos(2nd/PCH).
Salt water is not for the light hearted, you better consider the clean-up as a serious part of your boating.
Here's a link to the SCOPE party:
http://66.34.157.161/Event-Info/2002-SCOPE-Kickoff.htm
You can email me at: garysanch@aol.com