Luvmyhobies, I currently have a Lowe's Stryker(semi-V), 16ft which looks like something like you now have. I only have a 40HP 4 stroke, Mercury 'Big foot'. It gets on plane very quickly with me and another fisherman, and is a little wider than most aluminum boats, runs about 25-30 mph. It will take some rough water, but nothing over 2 feet waves comfortably. I guess if you have 'room' problems at the console, you need to go to a 'V' bottom boat. Very few of the 16ft type aluminum semi V or flat bottom boats have much room at the console. The V bottom boats usually have more room at the console, but unless you get a big V bottom boat, the front end is not good for room to fish. Need to get a 17-18 ft. V bottom to have enough room at the front (just my opinion only).