I have an Alumacraft Yukon 165. Its a 16.5' v hull very similar to the Alumacraft lunker. It has raised front deck and a small raised deck in the rear. The decks are about 8" below the gunnell. It has 8' of flat floor between with a raised rod box on one side of the floor and a raised live well on the other. I can fish two off the front deck easily. I too wanted the v hull for its rough water capabilities and the fact that my two young kids were able to be down in a deep boat. I think you'd be fine with a v hull as long as its big and wide enough to do what you want.