RE: boat
I think that should be fine. I have a friend who bowfishes from an aluminum deep-V.
The problem with a boat is that you're never quite satisfied. I started with a canoe, then a 12 ft jon. Now I've got a 16ft extra wide jon boat but those extra deep jons are looking better and better... and oooooh, look an 18' foot jon boat... [8D]
Start with your bass boat, put a removable platform on it and use is as long as you can.