Mulv - I just took you off my friend list. 
 
J/K!! Seriously, I value your opinion even though my opinion differs. I feel the V20/21 does extremely well in a short chop once on top of it and trimmed properly. Tabs would certainly help as others can attest. My comparison is strictly based on 20 - 21 foot boats I might add. The entry and the deadrise on the V models is sharper than other boats in its class. Those two factors that are undeniably key to what makes a boat perform well while running in less than perfect seas. And do we even need to talk about flair and dryness since we know the V flair is pretty hard to beat? 
 
Here is an excellent post about deadrise for smaller boats:
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-...-deadrise.html
 
On the flip-side Manatee is a fine boat as well. Perhaps it can be attributed to the helm in the manatee being further back toward the stern? Or maybe the manatee has a narrower beam and still a fairly sharp deadrise?
 
Interesting perspective.