Why did French light ships struggle in the Channel?

Were French light ships really that poorly suited to wartime operations?

Many were designed for calmer Mediterranean service and were too small for reliable Channel operations.

The question is raised during the command discussion and answered when the stream returns to fleet design. French small torpedo boats and destroyers could work in Mediterranean conditions, but rougher Channel weather caused serious motion and survivability problems. Their weakness went beyond low firepower because the operating environment exceeded the assumptions behind their size and design.