Guys fish off the Jersey in tin skiffs...on good days. As usual, bad advice from people not from there. That particular boat may not be suitable for many rough offshore passages, but NJ is no different whether rough or calm. Have seen it just as rough in the Chesapeake.
If any component of SW to NW winds up to 20 knots, you can run right up the beach except right off the inlets you have to veer out a bit...but a depth sounder at 30 feet will keep you well off the sandbars. Easterly and Southerly can get bad over 15 knots of wind.
You can easily run inside to Manasquan inlet...when not sure, stick with the last 2 hrs of the incoming tide and the first 2 of the outgoing and you should have plenty of water. For the best info on the NJICW, contact Sea Tow Cape May, Atlantic City and Central NJ.
NJICW no different than much of the AICW, just as exciting or boring as you make it. Also no more dangerous than any area with shoals. The good news it's virtually AL, sand or mud.