Choosing a dog boat for fighting among Sasebo's islands

Is it not enough guns?

The reply favours a dog boat, on the grounds that it would have enough firepower to get out of trouble.

The choice is conditional on having to bring a vessel into these waters. Firepower is valued as a way to get out of trouble. Speed and the ability to get through trouble are also mentioned, although the wording is unclear about whether the proposed boat has enough of either.