In my main X3AP file I ran with a Boa with 3 Susanowa Raiders (4 PBG and 4 PAC each) as fast, heavy interceptors, and a Kestrel for scouting on board, but following it around I had an Ocelot as a main heavy combat ship (I know, obviously with 10 EBC's). I love the Ocelot as a combat ship, I can kill Q's with it!
I used those for a very very long time, expanding it to have about 6 Escort Skirons over time (E-cell generator for the win!); but when I finally got round to getting a heavy ship I didn't need anti-fighter, So I got 10 PPC Thresher as a light Destroyer, and a Boreas entirely covered in PPC's and IBL's as a Flagship Destroyer, it could also use CFA though (they were much more common than FAA!), so could deal with a few fighters. Don't like Terran ships, and the Size vs Power vs Cost of the Boreas compared to any M2+ won it for me; I can get that ship to eat squadrons of Tyr's for breakfast!
I will be the one to take you down!