I find it very odd that you consider a Romany to be unsuitable for rough water.
That said, if you want to ditch the sprayskirt, float, and pump (I did, too), go RENT an Epic V7, and never mind if it is rotomolded. Epic makes V7 in a lighter layup as well, I think—but check on that.
The V7 has a deep, wide bucket that should accommodate you. I was lost in it, but I am a small, lightweight woman. The V7 felt very stable, and it should make for a decent learning transfer from the stability of a Romany while having better glide and speed (it was, even for me).
My first ski was a Nelo 520 S (small cockpit), which I still own. Even though its beam is almost an inch wider than that of the Pilgrim Expedition I paddled for 10 yrs, the shape of the boats differed dramatically. You absolutely *cannot* predict how stable you will feel based on the beam alone. I soon got used to the lower stability of the 520 S, but frankly I was being corked on it because no matter what the manufacturer says, it was better suited to someone whose weight would sink it down a bit more—probably needed another 15 to 20 lbs on me, which would make me FAT.
The day that I sat on it among other surf ski paddlers and noticed the crosswind didn’t shift them sideways as it rapidly did with me, I decided it was time to evaluate getting a ski designed for someone small. I’d been paddling the 520 for 2+ years at that point.
The following spring I did buy a different ski, which I really like (and take note that it, too, required getting used to lower stability). HOWEVER, the time spent on the 520 S was good prep. I think it was better than starting with a too-tippy ski and wasting energy on merely staying upright on flat water instead of working on wing paddle stroke, biomechanics, etc.
BTW, before buying the second ski, I took a lesson on a Bluefin. As others have already said, that is a model worth trying also—but if you can rent an Epic closer to home, try that also.
Oh, yeah, ditto the comment that the Carbonology/Fenn dealers are great to work with.