I fished for snapper in a 32 footer built on a Greek sponge boat hull design . We messed around in 1961 and had to ride out most of Hurricane Esther at sea. We got 90 knots of wind and 36 foot seas. It’s not something you forget.
As a child, I swam in the ocean (usually not past waist depth.) As it was, I got tossed around like a piece of styrofoam. I can’t imagine going through a hurricane. Undertow alone induces a deep respect for nature.