re: Flats Boats/limitations/advice needed

You may find different opinions elsewhere, but heavier boats designed to eat chop that don't emphasize draft or poling ability would be considered flats boats. Specific models that come to mind would be the ECS Vantage & EVO, Hewes Redfisher, Maverick Master Angler, Maverick 18 HPX-V, Beavertail Lightning, Hells Bay Marquesa, Biscayne, etc.

A skiff as defined by me is a boat built with emphasis on light weight, shallow draft, and efficiency on pole. People argue over what constitutes an actual poling skiff, but whatever. Boats like the ECS Lostmen, Caimen, Fury, the smaller Beavertails, the smaller Mavericks, Hells Bay Guide, Professional, Whipray, Waterman, etc.

There are a ton of other smaller builders too.

If you're looking for a family capable boat that can handle relatively big water, I'd stay on the flats boat side of the scale. They're more comfortable, generally faster, safer, and more stable.