Well you can beef the front end up however you like (getting a Wilbur ballast, umbrella, sun protector, anchor etc.) aboard, but it may present seating capacity problems. I don't think there is a perfect fishing boat out there that will completely eliminate pole bounce on the front deck, if there is please let me know, I'm in the market for it and all ears or should I say eyes are on here.. think we have and always will suffer from the "there has always got to be something better" complex. It has served mankind well so far, not sure if the torch will be carried very far with the Millennial's though